Our History
Summer 1995 : The Start
Our founders met in the kitchen of Keith Wood’s house to discuss their future. Five had recently left another band and were contemplating what to do next in their piping and drumming careers. This meeting occurred because founding member Joe Sclafani found out through his network that the “Woods were seen in Kearney looking at kilts.” Before we knew it, a band had been formed with a nucleus of 13 people. Our first practices were held in the basement of one of our members. Within a couple of months, the band’s practice location shifted to the Ledgewood Baptist Church where we remain to this day.
March 1996 : First Parades
Within 6 months, the band played in its first parade, the Morristown St. Patrick’s Day parade, with a grand total of 14 playing members. Pearl River, NY and West Orange, NJ rounded out our St. Patrick’s Day season. To augment in-house instruction, Joe McGonigal was chosen to help the band grow and improve as we added members to the fold.
January 1997 : First Band Dance
Our first band dance was a great fundraising success.
June 1997 : First Competition
The band’s first competition was at the Garden State Arts Center Irish Festival. It was our only competition of the year, but the band “got its feet wet.” We also continued playing parades.
1998 : Full Speed Ahead
By 1998, the band had built a solid reputation and played in 18 parades throughout New Jersey. We returned to the competition field in May of 1998 placing 2nd at the Bonnie Brae games. We also placed 3rd in June at the Arts Center Irish Festival.
1999 : Martin Duffy and First Place
In 1999, the drum corps came into its own as Martin Duffy of the Bronx began teaching the corps. In late July, our competition season took a turn for the better when the band came in 1st place for the first time as did the drum corps. In September, the band took a 2nd place at the Long Island Scottish Festival and the drum corps took another 1st. At the end of this season, the band placed 7th overall in the Grade 5 in the EUSPBA and was upgraded to Grade 4.
2000 – 2001 : Continued Progress and Growth
The Grade 4 band never competed in 2000 due to personnel issues, but we did put out a Grade 5 band.
In 2001, the band restructured and competed in Grade 5 only and did very well.
2002 : First Place
Instructor Martin Duffy joined the band as Leading Drummer and the drum corps won every event that the band competed. The band took 1st place overall in the EUSPBA and was upgraded again. Since 2003.
2004 : In Memory of Martin Duffy
In January of 2004, Leading Drummer Martin Duffy and his daughter Hannah died tragically leaving a void in the band that was difficult to fill. Martin wrote all of the drum corps scores and taught both the beginners and the advanced members of the corps. Martin played previously with the Grade II Monaghan Pipe Band and was a tremendous asset to our band.
2011 : In Memory of Joe Sclafani
Our Hat Pin
In May of 2011, founding member Joe Sclafani passed away after a long battle with a variety of health issues. Joe was the “heart and soul” of the band and his loss was devastating to the band who watched Joe battle his illnesses with grace, faith, and character. Always ready with a smile and a bright, red hat on his head, Joe is missed by all in the band.