_ABout the band

The NY Metro Pipe Band was formed in January 2010 under the leadership of Pipe Major Mike Mahoney, Lead Drummer Adrian Mordaunt and the musical Direction of Matt Welch. The founding vision was simple: build a world-class, internationally competitive band comprised of the best pipers and drummers in the NY metro area. As talented players from NYC, Long Island, Westchester and New Jersey were drawn to the idea of competing on the world stage and advancing a shared cultural heritage through musical excellence, the band quickly grew. 

Within months, the band’s potential became evident and the decision was made to compete in the summer of 2010, a full year earlier than anticipated. Through the dedication and commitment of the band's leadership, players and instructors, the decision proved wise. In July 2010, the band placed first in its debut at the Grade III Eastern United States Pipe Band Championships at Glasgowlands, MA, winning both the MSR and Medley competitions. Consistent wins that season capped a remarkable debut against determined and proven competitors culminating in our first full length concert, Premiere, in November 2010. 

Following this incredible first season was a whirlwind of both hard work and success. In 2011, the band continued to succeed at home in Grade III in preparation for a big step “across the pond” to Glasgow, Scotland in August where we were crowned the 2011 Grade 3B World Champions, against a challenging international field.

On the heels of this achievement, both the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association and EUSPBA upgraded the band to Grade II, and that is where the hard work truly began. A brand new medley and MSR made for long hours of practice, but the big payoff was capturing the 2012 Grade II North American Championship in Maxville, Canada in just our fourth outing in the new grade. 

A long but successful 2012 came to a close with a trip to Pittsburgh in November to perform our second full-length concert, When Spirits Rise, at the 7th Annual Balmoral Classic. Performed just two weeks after Hurricane Sandy, the band used our presence to raise awareness about the devastation and tragedy suffered by our fellow New Yorkers and we were delighted to return home with hundreds of dollars and a truckload of food and clothing donated by the generous people of Pittsburgh. 

Looking forward, the summer of 2013 saw NY Metro continue on the international circuit with an August trip to Scotland for a performance in the Pipes of Peace Concert along with Scottish Power Pipe Band and 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band and a very credible 3rd place at the World Championships in Grade 2. 2014 shapes up to be a very big year for the band as we will return to Glasgow Green in August to try our best in Grade II.

Want to learn more? Get in touch.

The TeaM

_Bagpipe

P/M Michael Mahoney
Kevin McSwiggan
Ed Cameron
Shane Culleton
James Faughnan Jr
Michael Faughnan
Scott Gajdos
TC Himmel
Tommy Hoins
Andrew McCarrick
Brian McGuire
Kevin McSwiggan
Ken Meagher
Donal Morrissey
Tommy Munks
Patrick O’Hara
Brendan O'Rourke
Sean O'Rourke
Byrne O'Sullivan
Sean Poyntz
Lachlan Cameron

_Snare Drum

L/D Michael O’Rourke
Brian Nugent Jr
Brian Nugent Sr
Kevin O’Neill
Gleren Meneghin
Scott Skyrnecki
Tim Wu
Gordon Bell
Adrian Mordaunt

_MidSection

John Maldonado
David McCormick
Dominic Arena
Joe Chera
Kristen Armstrong