Performances

Select Links for More Information



September ?, 2025

Memorial

Honored to be asked back to pipe during registration and start an annual golf tournament in Troy, New York to benefit the Northeastern New York chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of a beloved father.

⚕️

 


August 30, 2025

Competition

Asked to compete with St. Ann's at the Capital District Scottish Games of the Altamont Fairgrounds in Altamont, New York.

🏅


August 15 & 16, 2025

World Bagpipe Competition in Glasgow, Scotland

Piping with St. Ann's in Scotland where the best bands compete with the best on the planet.

🏅

 


July 12, 2025

Competition

Asked to compete with St. Ann's during the Jersey Shore Piping & Drumming Classic Irish Festival in Toms River, New Jersey.

🏅


June 28, 2025

Competition

Competing with St. Ann's in the Hudson Valley Pipe Band Championships at the Hudson Valley Sports Dome in Milton, New York.

🏅



June 27, 2025

Graduation 

Honored to be asked to perform while my daughter's Senior class enters the ceremony and exits as high school graduates of Saratoga Central Catholic School in Saratoga Springs, New York.

🎓


June 14, 2025

Saratoga Elk's 56th Annual Flag Day Parade

Celebrating our American flag, the 250th Birthday of the United States Army and the 160th Anniversary of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks with the Saratoga Elks, Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians and many parade goers down Broadway of Saratoga Springs, New York.

🇺🇸


June 14, 2025

Competition

Asked to compete with St. Ann's in the Round Hill Highland Games Bagpipe Competition in Greenwich, Connecticut.

🏅


May 17, 2025

Competition

Competing with St. Ann's at the Fairhill Games in Elkton, Maryland.

🏅


May 3, 2025

Competition

Asked to compete with St. Ann's at the Union County Celtic Festival in Clark, New Jersey.

🏅


March 17, 2025

St. Patrick's Day Celebration

Performing at the oldest continuously run bar & restaurant in Saratoga Springs, New York which had the honor of being voted one of the top ten great places to toast the luck of the Irish by USA Today.

🇮🇪


March 8, 2025

Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians Family Feis Charity Event

Performed during the Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians annual Feis, pronounced "fesh", which is a traditional family festival featuring the celebration of Irish history, music, food and dance.

🇮🇪


December 16, 2024

Funeral Mass in Clifton Park, New York

Piped before and after mass as family, friends and Brothers of the Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians said goodbye to a great man. 

“Grief is just love with no place to go.”   

 

🙏


November 3, 2024

Veterans Stand Down Charity Event

Stand downs were started in 1988 by two Vietnam veterans. Named for a military term referring to a combat unit's time to rest and recover while at war. Today it is a grassroots effort to offer various services to homeless veterans, veterans in need, and provide veteran networking. I was honored to support and pipe for over 65 of our heroes in Saratoga Springs, New York.

🇺🇸


October 27, 2024

Burial in historic Oakwood Cemetery of Troy, New York

Piped for a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and nurse as family and friends drove to the burial site, during the ceremony and as everyone departed.

🙏🏼


October 6, 2024

Timothy Murphy Commemoration at the Saratoga Battleground with the Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians

Piped during SAOH's ceremony for Timothy Murphy at his monument which the AOH erected in 1913. Tim was a 26-year-old, first-generation Irish American and Revolutionary War rifleman whose two shots in 1777 from roughly 300 yards killed General Frazer and another British Senior officer, General Burgoyne's chief Aide-de-Camp, Sir Frances Clarke, helping to defeat the British. This Battle of Saratoga has been hailed as one of the most important battles in military history.

🇺🇸


September 28, 2024

Memorial 

Piped during registration and to start an annual golf tournament in Troy, New York to benefit the Northeastern New York chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of a beloved father.

⚕️


September 14, 2024

Halfway to St. Patrick's Day Charity Event

Performed before Irish bands and dancers took the stage to support the Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians' Hunger Project for local food pantries at the oldest continuously run bar & restaurant in Saratoga Springs, New York and had the honor of being voted one of the top ten great places to toast the luck of the Irish by USA Today.


Cancelled due to Weather

September 7, 2024

Competition

Scheduled to compete with St. Ann's at the Union County Celtic Festival in Clark, New Jersey.

🏅


September 6, 2024

9/11 Heroes Run Charity Event in Princeton, New Jersey

Honored to play Taps before the Color Guard's Flag Folding Ceremony and throughout to support the runners at the Travis Manion Foundation's 9/11 Heroes Run which "unites communities internationally with the goal to never forget the sacrifices of the heroes of September 11th and the wars since: veteran, first responder, civilian and military."

🇺🇸


August 5, 2024

Charity Event

Piped for the Irish American Heritage Museum's biggest fundraiser, the 25th Annual Joseph J. Dolan Jr. Mostly Irish Classic Golf Tournament in Schuylerville, New York.

🇮🇪


July 13, 2024

Competition

Competed with St. Ann's during the Jersey Shore Piping & Drumming Classic Irish Festival in Toms River, New Jersey.

🏅


July 4, 2024

Saratoga Elk's 55th Annual Flag Day Parade

Celebrated our American flag with the Saratoga Elks, Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians and many parade goers down Broadway of Saratoga Springs, New York.

🇺🇸


June 29, 2024

Competition

Competed with St. Ann's in the Hudson Valley Pipe Band Championships at the Hudson Valley Sports Dome in Milton, New York.

🏅


June 15, 2024

Celebration of Life 

Performed for friends and family while they entered, reflected inside during the touching ceremony, and as they exited a restaurant in Saratoga Springs, New York.

⚕️


June 9, 2024

Competition

Competed with St. Ann's during an Irish Festival at the Monmouth Race Track in Oceanport, New Jersey.

🏅


June 8, 2024

Graduation Party

Surprised the recent college graduate, his family and friends with playing the bagpipes during an outdoor celebration in Chester, New York.  

🎓


June 8, 2024

Hunterdon Polo Classic Charity Event 

Piped with St. Ann's for attendees in Pittstown, New Jersey.

🏇


June 7, 2024

Survivors Day

Charity Event 

Honored to perform for and thank our heroes during a celebration of Life with Patients and Staff of a Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Upstate New York.

⚕️


May 18, 2024

My First Bagpipe Band Competition

Competed with St. Ann's at the Fairhill Games in Elkton, Maryland.

🏅


Postponed until 2025 due to Competing Piping and Family Calendars


March 17, 2024

St. Patrick's Day

Annual Friends of Oakwood St. Patrick's Day Parade

Began a neighborhood parade in 2020 following the height of the Covid pandemic to reconnect and check on each other while safely socially distanced outdoors. Neighbors, friends and family meet at the cul de sac and helium balloons are given to the kids before I pipe everyone down Oakwood Court and end at my home for an after party.

🇮🇪


March 16, 2024

New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade

Piped in my first NYC St. Patrick's Day parade, the oldest and largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the world, with friends of St. Ann's of Hampton Pipes and Drums which my late father helped form. A picture is attached of my dad marching with St. Ann's in front of the St. Patrick's Cathedral of Manhattan in the 2001 NYC St. Patrick's Day parade. My wife, then girlfriend of only two weeks, friends and family joined me marching behind the band as we waved to the many parade-goers.

🇮🇪


March 9, 2024

Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians Family Feis

Charity Event

Performed during the Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians annual Feis, pronounced "fesh", which is a traditional family festival featuring the celebration of Irish history, music, food and dance.

🇮🇪


February 26, 2024

Funeral Wake and Mass in Queensbury, New York

Piped as everyone entered the church, during the wake, outside the church entrance following a Navy ceremony and while all attendees drove away.

🙏🏼


November 15, 2023

Funeral in Lake Luzerne, New York

Piped following the cemetery grave site and then near the cemetery entrance while all attendees drove away.

🙏🏼


October 15, 2023

Timothy Murphy Commemoration at the Saratoga Battleground with the Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians

Piped during SAOH's ceremony for Timothy Murphy at his monument which the AOH erected in 1913. Tim was a 26-year-old, first-generation Irish American and Revolutionary War rifleman whose two shots in 1777 from roughly 300 yards killed General Frazer and another British Senior officer, General Burgoyne's chief Aide-de-Camp, Sir Frances Clarke, helping to defeat the British. This Battle of Saratoga has been hailed as one of the most important battles in military history.

🇺🇸


September 16, 2023

Halfway to St. Patrick's Day Parade in Lake George, New York

Piped for the Westchester County, NY Police Emerald Society leading everyone down Canada Street with police escort ending in a local pub where I performed for all inside.

🇮🇪


September 15, 2023

Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians Charity Event in Gansevoort, New York

Piped as golfers entered the golf course to play a round of golf and drove out of the parking lot with all proceeds given to local homeless shelters and food pantries.

🇮🇪


August 12, 2023

Wedding Reception in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Piped as the newlyweds, their family and friends left the church and drove away. Played again outside prior to the start of their wedding reception.

💒


May 27, 2023

Funeral in Glens Falls, New York

Piped outside church as family and friends entered the funeral mass and played following the service while leading everyone down the aisle outside the church where I continued until all attendees drove away.

🙏🏼


March 18, 2023

Friends of Oakwood St. Patrick's Day Parade

Began a neighborhood parade in 2000 following the height of the Covid pandemic to reconnect and check on each other while safely socially distanced outdoors. Neighbors, friends and family meet at the cul de sac and helium balloons are given to the kids before I pipe everyone down Oakwood Court and end at my home for an after party.

🇮🇪


March 17, 2023

Wedding in Loudonville, New York 

Honored to pipe as the newly married couple, their family and friends exited the church.

💒


March 11, 2023

Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians Family Feis Charity Event

Performed during the Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians annual Feis, pronounced "fesh", which is a traditional family festival featuring the celebration of Irish history, music, food and dance.

🇮🇪


January 13, 2023

Funeral in Saratoga Springs, New York 

Performed in the balcony during the ceremony and outside as everyone left the church.

🙏🏼


September 11, 2022

Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians Donnybrook Golf Outing Charity Event at Saratoga Lake Golf Club 

Piped for golfers as they entered the clubhouse to support the Saratoga Division's Food Bank Charities, Saratoga Hospice and area Homeless Shelters.

🇮🇪


September 09, 2022

9/11 Heroes Run Charity Event in Princeton, New Jersey

Honored to play in the opening ceremony of the Travis Manion Foundation's 9/11 Heroes Run which "unites communities internationally with the goal to never forget the sacrifices of the heroes of September 11th and the wars since: veteran, first responder, civilian and military."

🇺🇸


August 14, 2022

Birthday

Surprised a dear mom for her 70th birthday in Schuylerville, New York 

🎈


Switched to Virtual due to a Local Increase in COVID Cases


June 3, 2022

Survivors Day

Celebration of Life Charity Event with Patients and Staff of a Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Upstate New York

Honored to have a video of me performing for and thanking our heroes featured in the virtual ceremony of a Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Upstate New York.

⚕️


March 19, 2022

St. Patrick's Day

Annual Friends of Oakwood Court St. Patrick's Day Parade

Began a neighborhood parade in 2000 following the height of the Covid pandemic to reconnect and check on each other while safely socially distanced outdoors. Neighbors, friends and family meet at the cul de sac and helium balloons are given to the kids before I pipe everyone down Oakwood Court and end at my home for an after party.

🇮🇪


March 17, 2022

St. Patrick's Day

Surprised Friends / Colleagues During Regional Meeting

Piped during breakfast and at the start of a regional meeting for a team of amazing people in Jersey City, New Jersey.

🇮🇪


March 6, 2022

Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians Family Feis Charity Event

Performed during the Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians annual Feis, pronounced "fesh", which is a traditional family festival featuring the celebration of Irish history, music, food and dance.

🇮🇪


Switched to Virtual due to the COVID Pandemic


November 11, 2021

Home of the Brave Web Conference Charity Event 

Honored to perform for and thank our heroes of a Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Upstate New York.

🇺🇸


October 17, 2021

Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians Ceremony at the Saratoga National Historical Park

Honored to participate in an annual ceremony to commemorate the American Irish-born patriot and American Revolutionary War soldier, Timothy Murphy, who fought in the Battles of Saratoga as a member of Morgan's Riflemen. Murphy killed British General Simon Fraser during the second battle of Saratoga on Oct. 7, 1777 which led to the British retreating and losing the war. A seven-foot high carved stone monument in Murphy's honor was erected by the Ancient Order of Hibernians Saratoga Springs Division in 1907.

🇺🇸


October 1, 2021

Wedding

Honored to play for Melissa, Michael, their friends and family, and include a traditional Scottish toast with the beautiful bride on this very special day in Washington, New Jersey.

💒


September 12, 2021

Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernian's
Donneybrook Open Golf Outing

Charity Event at the Saratoga Lake Golf Club

Performed for golfers as they entered the clubhouse to support the Saratoga Division's Food Bank Charities, Saratoga Hospice and area Homeless Shelters.

🇮🇪


September 10, 2021

9/11 Heroes Run Charity Event in Princeton, New Jersey

Honored to play in the opening ceremony of the 9/11 Heroes Run which "unites communities internationally with the goal to never forget the sacrifices of the heroes of September 11th and the wars since: veteran, first responder, civilian and military."

🇺🇸


March 17, 2021

St. Patrick's Day

Piped for the Annual Friends of Oakwood Court with my wonderful neighbors as we safely marched on Oakwood Court supporting each other during the prolonged COVID-19 virus pandemic.

🇮🇪


November 11, 2020

Veterans Day

Charity Event 

Piped for Veterans and Staff of a Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Upstate New York

🇺🇸


October 24, 2020

Home of the Brave Web Conference Charity Event 

Honored to perform for and thank our heroes of a Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Upstate New York.

🇺🇸


Cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic


June 7, 2020

Survivors Day

Honored to be asked to play for over 300 attendees, including 150 patients, and celebrate life in Upstate New York.

⚕️


Switched to Virtual due to the COVID-19 Pandemic


June 5, 2020

Survivors Day Web Conference Charity Event 

Honored to perform for and celebrate life virtually with our heroes of a Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Upstate New York.

⚕️


March 14, 2020

St. Patrick's Day
Piped for the First Friends of Oakwood Court
St. Patrick's Day Parade

Piped for the Annual Friends of Oakwood Court with my wonderful neighbors as we safely marched on Oakwood Court supporting each other during the prolonged COVID-19 virus pandemic.

🇮🇪


November 12, 2019

Survivors Day

Charity Event 

Honored to perform for and spend time with our heroes at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Upstate New York.

⚕️


June 7, 2019

Piped for Patients and Staff of a Cancer Center

Charity Event in Upstate New York

I had the privilege to perform for the VA's cancer center staff and their many cancer survivors, including one gentleman who lied about his age to fight in Normandy on D-day in 1944 at the young age of 16.

⚕️


Switched to Virtual due to a Local Increase in COVID Cases


June 2, 2019

Survivors Day

Charity Event 

Celebration of Life with Patients and Staff of a Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Upstate New York

⚕️


March 15, 2019

St. Patrick's Day
Piped for Veterans and Staff of a Veterans Affairs Medical Center Charity Event in Upstate New York

Honored to entertain and speak with patients and staff as they entered and left the cancer center.

🇮🇪


December 16th and 23rd, 2018

Church

Piped for the Christmas Cantata and Services at Two Churches in Bethune, South Carolina

Our daughter was christened at Bethel United Methodist where my wife's parents were married and extended family have been attending church for over one-hundred years. I was honored to play for the Bethune community at both Bethel and Sandy Grove Methodist.

⛪️


November 9, 2018

Veterans Day

Charity Event 

The VA's Public Affairs Officer orchestrated a very moving Veterans Day ceremony where I had the honor to pipe for our veterans. I, and many other volunteers heard an Army veteran, who was admitted in 1953 after severe injuries in the Korean War at 21 years of age. We also experienced a very touching POW/MIA Table presentation. Everyone celebrated the 100 year anniversary of the ending of World War 1 and the Marines' 243rd birthday. Most significant for me was becoming acquainted with the many veterans who risked their lives for our freedom. Thank you all for your service.

🇺🇸


June 3, 2018

Survivors Day Charity Event in Upstate New York

Honored to play for over 300 attendees, including 150 patients, to celebrate life in Upstate New York.

⚕️


June 2, 2018

Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians

Donnybrook Golf Outing Charity Event at Saratoga Lake Golf Club

Performed for golfers as they entered the clubhouse to support the Saratoga Division's Food Bank Charities, Saratoga Hospice and area Homeless Shelters.

🇮🇪


March 16, 2018

St. Patrick's Day

Honored to brighten the day of patients and staff as they entered the cancer center and sat in the infusion room.

🇮🇪


December 24, 2017

Church in South Carolina 

Honored to play for the Bethune community at Bethel United Methodist Church where my daughter was christened and my wife's parents were married and extended family have been attending for over one-hundred years.

⛪️


October 24, 2017

Retirement Party

Played during the celebration of a Navy veteran's retirement at a Knights of Columbus in Upstate New York.

👏🏼


Annually on July 4th, 2016 through 2019

Independence Day Charity Events

Played to celebrate our independence and raise money for the Surf City Fire Department every July 4th in the annual 4th on 5th Parade in Surf City, New Jersey.

🇺🇸


June 4, 2017

Survivors Day

Charity Event 

Honored to play for over 300 attendees, including 150 patients, to celebrate them beating cancer in Upstate New York.

⚕️


June 5, 2017

Elementary School Music Education

Played for, spoke to and answered questions from 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students at St. Mary's Elementary School in Ballston Spa, New York on bagpipe history, parts and music.

🏫


March 17, 2017

St. Patrick's Day

Honored to brighten the day of patients and staff as they entered a cancer center in Upstate, New York and sat in the infusion room.

🇮🇪


December 3, 2016

Wedding in Upstate New York

Honored to play for Rachel, Joe and their friends and family on this special day.

💒


June 7, 2016

Survivors Day

Charity Event 

Honored to play for over 300 attendees, including 150 patients, and celebrate life with them in Upstate New York.

⚕️


 

2013 to 2015

Immediately after my father passed in 2007, I taught myself bagpipe fingering on his practice chanter and learned one of his favorite songs, Amazing Grace, on his bagpipes. My daughter was born three months later and for the next six years I occasionally tried to learn more on my own. We had Cliff and Liz Roberts, friends and leaders of St. Ann's of Hampton Pipes & Drums, over for dinner in 2013. They convinced me to begin formal lessons and join the band.

I had a great experience learning how to play the bagpipes, marching in numerous parades and becoming acquainted with the wonderful people of St. Ann's. Cliff Roberts, Pipe Major, was my first piping instructor. Cliff's wife, Liz Roberts, in addition to being an accomplished piper and registered nurse, is a professional harpist and taught my daughter harp. Shannon practiced on the harp pictured below which my late father built several years before she was born. A picture of her is also below marching in my first parade with St. Ann's in Somerville, New Jersey.

I was honored in December 2023 to be asked to rejoin St. Ann's for their NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade and several competitions, including the 2025 Worlds in Scotland. Thank you Cliff and Liz for the opportunity, tutelage and friendship. Also, thank you Cliff and Liz for connecting me with another great instructor, THE Donald F. Lindsay, with whom I was honored to advance my skills.

 



Contact John today to plan an impactful bagpipe performance for your upcoming event!

Create Your Own Website With Webador