About

The New York State Court Pipes and Drums was formed in 1976. The band is comprised of court employees from multiple judicial districts who continue to proudly perform at events and ceremonies throughout the region.

The band was formed in 1976 by Patrick Green, John Purcell and John Dolan. Primarily comprised of Bronx Court Officers, the band performed in their first parade; the 1977 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Pearl River, New York. By 1979 the band became the “Official Representative of New York State” by then Governor Hugh Carey. This earned us the distinction as musical escort for the Governor on St. Patrick’s Day in New York City; a distinction that was continued by Governor’s Mario Cuomo and George Pataki.

The band was invited to perform on April 21, 1980 in the first annual Military Tattoo at The United States Military Academy, West Point, NY, an event they have attended every year since. The band continued to grow in popularity, performing in countless parades, dinner dances, and social events. 

They performed multiple times in ticker tape parades through the “Canyon of Heroes”; for the returning Soldiers of Desert Storm and to celebrate two New York Yankee World Series Championships. In 1997 we were invited by New York State’s Fraternal Order of Police to perform at the Police Memorial in Washington, D.C., a standing invitation every year since.

As they enter our 37th year, the band’s notoriety has grown through our appearances at various parades, ceremonies and events.