Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-11-20


the entertainment of the people few
conductors have been his equal
From boy Mr. Gilmore had been
associated with military bands. He
had had little or no experience with
the higher work of the orchestra. He
was with an English band in Canada
in his boyhood and went to the sleepy
but delightful old town of Salem,
Mass, before he was 81 and organized
a brass band. Salem always has been
one OF the prominent musical centers
of New England, but it was too small
place for this restless, ambitious
lriShman. He soon went to Boston.
where he organized Gilmore's band,
which speedily made national repu-
tation. The new leader proved him
self worthy successor to Kendall.
After some short tours the war broke
out and he induced the band to go to
the field with the Twenty-fourth Mas
sachusetts regiment. Later be was
made master Of all the bands in Louis
lana by Gen. Banks, After the close of
the war he was the protector of the
colossal peace jubilees held in Boston
in 1869 and 1879, These jubilees,
though they did little for music, were
conceived upon colossal scale and en-
listed the services of some of the most
noted European bands as well as of
such musicians as Johann Strauss, Abt,
Bendel, Arabella Goddard, Parapa-
Rosa, and others. In the performance
OF lighter works they were specially
noticeable and few of those who were
present will forget the spectacle OF
Strauss leading 1000 instruments
through the blue Danube"
waltz or OF Abt conducting his
own song, when the Swallows
Homeward Fly" with 10000 voices.
When it came to the higher music,
however, the huge aggregation of in
struments and voices was anything but
effective Still the jubilees spread
Gilmore's name far and wide and his
reputation became international. He
improved this opportunity to make a
successful foreign tour. On his
return In 1873 he was
offered the leadership of the
Iwenty-second Regiment band. Since
then he has Travelled all over the
United States giving concerts, and his
name has become familiar as a house.
hold word in festivals, concerts, at sea.
side resorts and expositions, and in
great public celebrations.
AS musician picturesque is the
word which best describes him, and he
sometimes carried that quality into the
sensational, as when he utilized the
firing of artillery and ringing of church
bells and pounding of anvils to add
noise to his playing, He was audacious
TO degree and lacked the quality of
reverence. He always looked to the
entertainment Of the people, and If he
mao thought it would enhance their
uellght he would not have hesitated to
arrange a symphony of beethoven
WIN artillery to mark the rh ythm or
10 nave accompanied the Largo of Han.
gel with anvils This was the
secret Of his popularity-his con-
slant endeavor TO give the ma sses I
what they wanted and to
please them at whatever cost and he
never failed TO succeed in doing 1t. No
4S''''er name was better known among
the people, and no leader was more
popular. 10 his other qualities as
leader he added marvellous Industry,
executive ability Of a high order, sue
eessial org anizing capacity, and the
iaenity Of attaching himself to hismen
d py strong and lasting personalities.
me latter characteristic was due TO his
genial aifable and diplomatic DISPOSE
uon' in which respect he was the ideal
VI the refined Irish gentleman.
Or Louis. Mo-, Sept. 90.-At meet
ing OF the Gilmore Military band and
business Manager j. II. Lane it was
eeeiaedl with the approval Of Mrs- p,
. :, Gilmore, to continue the organiza-
uon under its old name, with sergt
Vnarlea " F-crdenvolt as director,
ana Mrs ard Miss Gilmore as pro
prle'oss The band will complete its
,,i',sagements at the st. Louis exposi-
a s.ou under Mr. Freudenvolt and carry
ID, me plans of Col Gilmore for its
MAR concert tour
be sx comets are now visible in tho