Why an IMBA show in a small village in rural Ireland
You may ask: why do the IMBA bring a DCE Certified Show to a commons field in a small village in rural Ireland? The Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore Competition (held in the village of Ballygar, population 642) is different to any other in the calendar of DCE field shows in Ireland. You may ask: why do the IMBA bring a DCE Certified Show to a commons field in a small village in rural Ireland? The Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore Competition (held in the village of Ballygar, population 642) is different to any other in the calendar of DCE field shows in Ireland.
No band sponsor the competition, instead a group of local historians belonging to the Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore Society in eastern Galway get together to bring the best of Irish marching bands to their village every year. Why? And who is Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore?
Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore was born on Christmas Day 1829 in Ballygar, County Galway, Ireland. He emigrated to Boston in 1849 and later became famous as cornet soloist and band leader. His compositions include 'When Johnny Comes Marching Home', 'Good News from Home', 'We are Coming Father Abraham', 'Seeing Nellie Home', and 'Famous 22nd Regiment March'.
In many ways Gilmore can be seen as the principal figure in nineteenth-century American music. He is generally regarded as 'The Father of the American Band' because of his innovative ideas about instrumentation, interpretation and showmanship.
The bands competition has become an important part of the annual carnival in Ballygar since 1992, marking the centenary of Glimores death.
0 comments