guard pipes and drums

The Guard Pipes & Drums is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the Celtic Arts through teaching, performance and competition of traditional and modern pipe band music. It was organized as a vehicle for the advancement and appreciation of traditional Celtic heritage and culture by providing musical education of the great highland bagpipe and drums. Our intent is to entertain people at a high level of execution which will be accomplished through practice, performance and competition.

Our Story Continues…

A few of us learned the art of bagpiping when we were teenagers going to high school. In 2004, we reunited and realized very little had changed, at least in our desire to play the pipes and to pass this knowledge on to the next generation. We also shared a common vision: make it fun, challenging, and most importantly keep it close to home. We formed an idea that became - The Guard.

Today, what was born in a pub conversation between friends is now celebrating its 15th Anniversary. A core group of players has gelled into a cohesive organization, to learn, to laugh, and to perform.

The Guard has participated in many St Patrick’s Day celebrations across the Tri-state area, to include parades in Belmar, Bayonne, Hoboken, Jersey City, Morristown, Newark, Nutley, West Orange and New York City. We have appeared “Live” on Q-104.3’s “Jim Kerr in the Morning”, “Breakfast at Connolly’s”, “Opie and Anthony’s Sirius Radio Show” and blasted from the stage at The HardRock Cafe in NYC. The Guard was also chosen to provide musical accompaniment to the launch of Michael Collins Irish Whiskey.