About the Band
Since its inaugural performance at the University's Founders Day celebration in 1991, the New York University Pipes and Drums has been a fixture of every NYU graduation ceremony for nearly two decades. Faculty, students and guests alike have enjoyed the sounds of traditional Highland bagpipes and drums leading the academic party, honored guests and graduates to the platform, heralding the closing of one chapter in a student’s life and the start of another. Ask a participant or attendee for a highlight of the event, and one memory always recalled is the sight and sounds of the band marching in to start the event.
In addition to University functions, the band also performs at community events throughout the year. Christmas concerts, The Greenwich Village Halloween Parade, NYPD/USMC Annual Toys for Tots celebration, and many other NYU-sponsored events are enhanced by the bands performance. The band also makes an annual appearance in a metropolitan area St. Patrick's Day Parade and New York City Tartan Day Parade. The Band has performed for dignitaries and luminaries visiting the University such as The King of Jordan, Seamus Heaney, and Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. They’ve also participated in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the official celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the dedication of Grant's Tomb. In 2008, the University held the 176th commencement exercises at Yankee Stadium. The stadium, in its last year of operation, was a performance milestone for the band members both personally and professionally. Leading the processional party into the Stadium from the outfield, the band set the tempo and tone for this memorable event. NYU Pipes and Drums will be the first pipe band to perform in the new Yankee Stadium for the 2009 Commencement.
The Band recruits from the vast New York University community, and welcomes all students, faculty, staff, and alumni to become members. Instructors encourage, support, and teach members of all playing levels at weekly practices to achieve each musician’s personal best. NYU students can earn elective credit by participation in the band program.
The band is supported by the Office of Academic Program Review and is associated with the Center for Music Performance.
Pipe Major
Brian Meagher, Pipe Major and instructor, has played bagpipes for 30 years, since the age of six, An Open Piper, he is a fourth generation player and one of the few Americans to compete in the World Games in Scotland with the Scottish Power pipe band. He has competed at the International Solo invitational Metro Cup competition and the perennially popular “You Be the Judge” contest in Long Island. He has been with the NYU Pipe Band since its first performance at the University's Founders Day celebration in 1991. Brian has been the instructor for several bands and many individual pipers in the New York Metropolitan area, and his reputation for giving and getting the best from each of his players is well known and deserved. In addition to solo performance and competitions, he was the surprise bagpiper at the conclusion of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies’ “An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise” at Carnegie Hall.
Drum Sergeant
Michael Eagle, Drum sergeant and instructor first picked up a pair of drum sticks as a wee lad. An avid promoter of the Celtic arts, Michael has studied pipe band drumming since 2000 receiving instruction from such top players as Jim Kilpatrick, John Fisher, Eric Ward, Reid Maxwell, Tom Robinson, and Jon Greene. Eagle is the 3-time EUSPBA Southwest Branch Grade II Snare Champion and currently competes in the open-class category. After a 4-year run with the North Texas Caledonians from Dallas, TX, he joined the Grade II Niagara Regional Police Pipe Band from Niagara Falls, ONT in 2007. The band performed consistently in ‘07, including top performances at the North American Championships in Maxville, Canada and the World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Michael’s next venture to Scotland and ‘The Worlds’ was with the Silver Thistle Pipes & Drums from Austin, TX in 2008.
Band Repertoire
| 4/4 Marches | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Minstrel Boy Sean South of Garryowen Kelly, the Boy from Killane |
Mari's Wedding Down by the Sally Garden The Dawning of the Day |
Scotland the Brave The Rowan Tree Wings |
| 2/4 Marches | 3/4 Marches | 6/8 Marches |
|
79th Farewell to Gibralter High Road to Gairloch Rakes of Mallow Brown Haired Maiden |
Lochanside Rangers of Iraq |
The Cock o' the North Piobaireachd of Donald Dubh |
| March, Strathspey, and Reel | ||
| The Atholl and Breadalbane Gathering Capt. Colin Campbell Captain Lachlan MacPhail of Tiree |
||
| Quick March Medley | ||
|
1976 Police Tattoo / Bessie Weatherston / City of Hastings Highland Pipe Band / At Long Last |
||
| Slow Airs | ||
|
Going Home Amazing Grace |
||
Download the 2008 Repertoire (PDF).
Upcoming Performances
The New York University Pipes & Drums will be playing at the President's Welcome, August 2009 (at Madison Square Garden) and at many different events during Graduation Week 2010.Past Performances
NYU Pipes & Drums at Yankee Stadium, May 2008. Click picture for a full-sized image.
2009 Commencement (video requires Real Player)
2008 Commencement (video requires Real Player)
2007 Commencement (video requires Real Player)
2006 Commencement (video requires Real Player)
Contact/Hire the Band
Pipe Major Brian Meagher: brianmeagher@verizon.netFrequently Asked Questions
How do I hire the band to play for my event?Contact P/M Brian Meagher.
Who can join?
Current or former NYU students and current NYU employees.
How can I join?
Contact P/M Brian Meagher.
What if I can't read music?
We'll teach you.
How long does it take to learn?
While that depends upon the student, most people can start playing the bagpipes after about a year of study and practice on a practice chanter.
Rehearsal Schedule
Send email to P/M Brian Meagher for more information.
Graphic design by Julianne Brown Brand Graphics. Site maintained by John Henderson.
Updated 01 June 2009.