The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1885-11-11
THE GREAT GILMORE.
The Famous Musical Organizer in the
City With His Wonderful Band
-.TOnight's Rare Treat.

There arrived at the Harper house this
morning the renowned musical director
and organizer, p. s Gilmore. with his
wife and daughter, the distinguished
Swedish prima DONNA, Miss Louie
Pyk, and the famous Gilmore's Twenty
second regiment band of New York city.
Tonight the organization will give con-
cert at Harper's theatre. There is prob
ably no man on the musical stage today
who has attained such world wide fame
as an organizer. or who is II superior TO
Mr.. Gilmore in the profession in which he
has achieved so much. A brief biography
of the man may therefore prove interest
ing.
p. s. Gilmore was born in ireland in
1929, He appears to have been born
musician, a born leader. born organizer
of vast musical bodies of singers and in-
strumcntaists, and he is at the head of
the most perfect band in the world. be-
cause it embraces the greatest number of
matchless solo performers. all controlled
as one man by the magic witchery of the
master mind. His entire life has
been devoted to the study and
perfection OF music. He first organs
lied in New Orleans great festival with
a chorus of 1000 children and 500 must.
clans Then the two monster Boston
ubilees. at the first of which he had 10, :
600 singers. 900 instruments and so 900
auditors in building erected for the pur,
| pose. The second contained 10000
singers and 1000 instruments, in build
| ing which held 100, 900 auditors. AT this
festival he had the foremost bands of
Germany, Austria, France, England and
Ireland, and the greatest living artists
MIR. Gilmore is now on his way to New
| York, after trium plant western season.
AN INTERVIEW.
| An ARGUS reporter was accorded a
brief interview with Mr.. Gilmore this
morning, aud found him an interesting
conversationalist. When asked rs to the
number Of years his band had been before
the public he replied.
| 81 have been as you may say before
the public for thirty five years. have
been leader of band for thai
length of time and my band has
always enjoyed good reputation
I was at the head of the Boston Jubilee
band for twenty years, and fifteen years
ago went to New York where l organized
the band which now have.
| do, many changes occur in the musi
clans of your band?' put in the reporter
II may say, SIR that my band is the
same us it was thirty years ago. | have
the same men in it had when started
there have not been u dozen changes in
the original band. My men have their
minds and hearts in the profession. We
labor together in unity, with the end and
aim of promoting the art of music, and
to achieve as much and go as far us
military band can in producing perfect
music"
Are your men high salaried?'
my band is the most expensive organs
ization on the face of the globe, with the
exception of the grand Italian orchestra
The salaries run from $40 to $3.50 pei
week. the average beng $50 and $75.'
'Is it your intention to travel to any
extent, or make stand in New York;"
owe will make an annual tour of the
country so that your people will have &
visit from us each year. We have al
ready given over one thousand concert
in every part of the world and have
received laurels everywhere. At the close
Of our engagement in St. Louis few
weeks ago, the merchants of that city
presented me with handsome baton
deliberately wrought in gold, silver and
diamonds. in token of their appreciation
of my concerts. 1t cost $1,000"
From what nationality do the best
| musicians Gomez"
| "Well. we have them from all nations
The Germans and Swedes seem to pre-
dominate, however, the former furnishing
the majority both as regards vocal and
instrumental music. They will rur
twenty to one of any other nationality
"How does Madame Ryk compare will
other noted vocalists2"
"She is one of the leading prima donna:
of the age. She came from the land Of
Jenny Lind and Christine Nelson, and il
my opinion is as good as either"