when peace resumed, gilmore was asked to organize a celebration, which took place at new orleans. that success emboldened him to undertake two major music festivals at boston, the national peace jubilee in 1869 and the world's peace jubilee and international musical festival in 1872. these featured monster orchestras of massed bands with the finest singers and instrumentalists (including the only american appearance by "waltz king" johann strauss ii) and cemented gilmore's reputation as the leading musical figure of the age. coliseums were erected for the occasions, holding 60- and 120,000 persons. grateful bostonians presented gilmore with medals and cash, but in 1873 he moved to new york city, as bandmaster of the 22nd regiment. gilmore took this band on acclaimed tours of europe.