Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore (1829-1892) was an extraordinary musician, bandleader, promoter and impresario in the 19th century.  He is generally regarded as “The Father of the American Band” because of his innovative ideas about instrumentation, interpretation and showmanship.

Gilmore was born in Ballygar, County Galway, and emigrated to Boston in 1849, where he embarked on a successful career as a cornetist, bandleader, composer and impressario.

During the American Civil War (1861-65), Gilmore volunteered as a musician in the Union Army and enlisted with his band members in the 24th Massachusetts Regiment.  In 1864 he was appointed as bandmaster in the Gulf, stationed in New Orleans. 

He composed numerous songs during this period, his most famous one being When Johnny Comes Marching Home, published in 1863.

In his lifetime, he was widely hailed for organizing two giant musical festivals in Boston: The National Peace Jubilee in 1869 and the World Peace Jubilee in 1872.

Afterwards, Gilmore moved to New York City and spent the last twenty years of his life touring with the acclaimed Gilmore’s Band, traveling throughout North America and Europe.

The Patrick S. Gilmore Society web site is designed to help students, musicians, music lovers and scholars better understand and appreciate the enormous contributions of Patrick S. Gilmore.

Copyright: Boston Irish Tourism Association