Musician and composer; born near
Dublin, Ireland, Dec. 25, 1830; was employed for a short time in a mercantile house in
Athlone, when his employer, having noticed his remarkable taste for music, hired him to instruct his son in music.
In 1849 he came to the
United States, went to
Boston, and became the leader of a band.
His fame as a cornet player soon spread throughout the country.
After having been bandmaster in nearly 1,000 concerts he established in 1858 what became popularly known as
Gilmore's Band, and which later gave concerts throughout the
United States and in more than half of
Europe.
When the
Civil War broke out
Gilmore and his band volunteered and went to the front with the 24th Massachusetts Regiment.
He was with
General Burnside in
North Carolina, and later, while in New Orleans,
General Banks placed him in charge of all the bands in the Department of the Gulf.
After the war he returned to
Boston and resumed his profession.
In 1869 he organized a great peace jubilee in
Boston, in which over 20,000 people, 2,000 musicians, and the best military bands of
Europe took part.
He conducted a similar grand musical event in 1872.
In 1873 he removed to New York, and became bandmaster of the 22d Regiment.
During 1873-76 he gave more than 600 concerts in what was known as
Gilmore's Garden.
In the latter year his band was employed to play at the
Centennial Exposition in
Philadelphia.
Later he took the band to
Europe, where he gave concerts in all the principal cities.
Two days before his death he was appointed musical director of the
World's Columbian Exposition.
Among his most popular compositions are
Good news from home;
When Johnny comes marching home; and
The voice of the departing soul, or death at the door (which was rendered at his own funeral). His anthems are
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Columbia;
Ireland to England; and a national air for the republic of
Brazil.
He died in
St. Louis, Mo., Sept. 24, 1892.
