Pipe Bands in the States

[Ken Smith]

Does anyone out there have any favorite bands here in the States. There are a number of them who are very good some much so that it his hard to say if one is truly better than another. In example the Emerald Society's of the FDNY and NYPD
The members of both came as close as any on this side of the pond when they had to dig, for their brethren, handle emergency's and play at funerals as Pipers of Regiments have done in war time.

[Pete Gee]

There are so very many pipe bands now, and I see only a few. As a young man on the east coast there were bands of long standing supported by groups such as the emerald society or by local fire departments. As i moved west the bands became fewer and less experienced. Not to mention smaller. For so long the majority of pipers seemed to be older persons who took up the pipes when they got more secure in their jobs or even after retirement. This meant the bands suffered from constant turnover out here. So my guess is that best bands are still in the east although with the growth in popularity were fast catching up.

[Pete Gee]

Had a second thought, related to your comment...a song "Drummer Lost" written I was told by a member of NYFD for brethern lost on 911..really nice.

[Ken Smith]

Just so that you know the correct term for the N.Y.C. Fire Depart. Is FDNY The cops are the NYPD There are so many excellent bands just out of the New York City civil service jobs. Sanitation, Corrections etc. and they are all very good and competitive. Tartan Day and St. Patricks Day certainly bring out the best in the canyons of NYC.and they're from all over. The U.S. Coast Guard has members that are stationed in all the states and US territories and gather for various appearances from all over. The "Leathernecks" are a group that plays for the the Marine Corp. though many are not active duty marines nor is the band an official Marine Corp. entity. The Hudson Valley Police Pipe Band is a small but excellent group of active and retired officers of various Police Dept.s who reside in the Hudson Valley New York area. There are so many.Unfortunately there are many that are flash in the pan groups as piping takes dedication and many who join are in it for their egos not the group.