Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-10-13
THE CAREER OF A MUSICIAN
p. S. Gilmore, the Celebrated
Leader of Bands.
HIS EARLY MUSICAL TRIUMPHS
How He Rose to His Proud
Pre-eminence.
His Youthful Aspirations Under the In
iluence of the Ragimental Bands of His
Boyhood's Home--His Progress until lie
Became the Foremost Isandmaster and
Musician of the Century.

Patrick Sarsfeld Gilmore, whose re-
cent sudden death startled musical cir
Giles throughout the world, was born
near Dublin, Ireland, December 28th,
1929. lie was named after Patrick
Sarsfield, Lord Lucan, one of the most
illustrious Irish patriots and generals of
the last century His early years were
spent near the city of Athlone, on the
Shannon, so intimately connected with
Sarsfleld's fame. At Il very carly agche
exhibited marked prediction for
music, but was somewhat opposed in
the development of his tastes BY his par
ents, who preferred mercantile career
for him. He seemed to have an intui-
tive understanding Of the difficulties AS
well rs OF the beauties of music, aud
readily learned to play upon such in
struments as came in his way. lie de-
voted his leisure hours to practicing the
fife and drum, dear to boyish hearts,
and attempted more difficult instru-
ments rs the opportunity offered
When he was IL years old young Gill
more was placed in the counting room
of q mercantile house at Athlone. This
was done at the instance of his parents.
At that time, however, three or four
English regiments were stationed at
Athlone and young Gilmore had every
day an opportunity to hear the music
Of their fine bands. He improved this
TO the utmost. Naturally he became
acquainted with many Of the musicians,
and was made pet by them.
One Of the bandmasters, named kcat-
ing, held the lad in particular favor,
and discovering in him musical talent Of
an unusual order not only offered to
give him lessons, but advised that he be
permitted to perfect himself at the best
foreign school. Another bandmaster,
an Italian named Cavalini, also gave
him lessons. lie soon became member
of n local band, and by the time he was
10 he was already writing marches and
polkas to be played by the band.
During these years friends became
convinced of the boys great ability as a
musician and advised him to abandon
all thought Of q mercantile life and
make music his profession. He was not
averse to that. Heating advised him to
go to America, as he would there find a
wide field for his talent. So, when lie
was 10, Gilmore came to Boston.
HltiolIlutl . oCl WIGS % Il I'll
were eagerly sought from the first, and
he became the leader of band in
Charlestown. Soon afterward he sue.
ceeded the famous Ned Kendall as
leader of the Suffolk Band, and during
the time that he retained that position
he brought the band into great popu-
larity. The deaths, successfully, of John
Bartlett and Jerome Smith made open
ings for his accession to the leadership
of the Brigade Band and the Salem
Band. In those days he was acknowl-
edged to be the finest Il fiat cornet
player in the country.
Mr.. Gilmore's devotion to his profess
sion impaired his health, but his strong
constitution triumphed. He remained in
Salem three years, during which time he
originated the mammoth Fourth of July
concerts which have ever since been u
marked feature OF the observance of the
day in Boston. But his name is not
known in that connection, and at his
suggestion Ned Kendall was appointed
leader of the combined bands on the
opening occasion.
In 1853 Mr.. Gilmore removed to
Boston and started band that was
known by his name. He also gave d
series of promenade concerts. the first
attempt Of the kind in this country. AZ
the close of the series he was presented
with an elegant gold medal by promi-
nent citizens Of Boston. In the next
year he entered into the music selling
and publishing business with ,Ioseph
Russell.
IA the same time Gilmorc's Rand was
admitted the lnafiino musical nraaniza.
tion II ina kind In the countrv H.
music was anticinated at ali celebrative
gatherings Of Importance Hinder his
| Ieadershin II vent IN Richmond Va in
tSho with the ia Molny Encainnment
of Knights Templar. to the Democratic
convention nj Charleston n q. in 1880
and aftorward TO the other national CON
yentions.
Nt liz outbrnol, of tho war ti,e hand
ertnred ma service with the o4th Nosso.
chusctts Volunteers. and went with
nrnside'seynedition ia North Carolina,
Gilmore was commissioned bandmoster.
General and chirf musician If The stata
~ Nasssrhusatts Win Tho arthoritv ~
srlist rntIsicians en- tho service III
went 10 New Orleans where General
hanks made him director If tba varidus
musical orran2ations IN than drnnrtmpnt
liz instituted i series If hriliiant frcn
rnnrnrts far tha nnonlo nf New Orleans
1nd nj the inangnration Of the goyert,n,
If Louisiann Manned another monste,
annrcrt Fnr I'LL snrvicss thn nnnnle ri
MN Orleans nrasentei hip, Min 4 n,og.
nitfrent goblat tilled Win gold rains
ITSnn RI rntmrn 10 nas1,n III ~.
Nora %ovn :, series S, of concerts introdnc.
mr, amonr otlier artists LaSranre
C,lIIzaTn'g,, h,rintts Patti Camilla ITrSH
Bri"nolt ANA uni For,n"s =
tiilmorc's fortn M thr devcIonmcnt