in many ways gilmore can be seen as the principal figure in 19th-century american music. he was a composer, the "famous 22nd regiment march" from 1874 is just one example. he held the first "promenade concert in america" in 1855, the forerunner to today's boston pops. he set up "gilmore's concert garden", which became madison square garden. he was the musical director of the nation in effect, leading the festivities for the 1876 centennial celebrations in philadelphia and the dedication of the statue of liberty in 1886. in 1888 he started the tradition of seeing in the new year in times square.