The Iona College Pipe Band is an integral aspect of the community.  Whether performing at the reception for the newly elected President, at festivities during homecoming weekend, or at the Campus Ministries’ Coffee House, the Pipe Band is an ever present organization on campus.

 “Roughly 36 talented Iona students make up the Pipe Band under Pipe Major Carl Donley,” explained Pipe Band Member and Gaelic Society Member Bridget Mealia.

The Pipe Band was initially founded in 1966 by Br. Charles Quinn and represented Iona College at both private and public events—just as the Pipe Band does today. The original band, however, consisted of only 14 students, a great deal less than the approximately 40 member band that represents the college today.

March has been a busy and exciting month for the Pipers as they prepare to march and perform in a series of St. Patrick’s Day parades in the New York metro area from March 5 through March 20.  The Pipers had a successful outing at the Queens County St. Patrick’s Day parade in Rockaway, Queens, where the band was awarded the title of Outstanding College Pipe Band.

“We are performing in St. Patrick’s Day parades in Yonkers on March 6, White Plains on March 12, Throgs Neck on March 13, New York City on March 17, and Pearl River on March 20, as well as the Alumni Reception on March 11.  So, the Pipe Band has its own kind of ‘March Madness’ in the upcoming weeks,” said Mealia.

The Pipe Band lists the dates, times, and addresses for each of their parades on their Facebook page, encouraging Iona students to attend and support the band at each of the performances.  Yet, as many would guess, the most important and most exciting parade that the Pipe Band—and the college itself—encourage students to attend is New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17.

“This year, the Gaelic Society and the Pipe Band are trying to get 70 students, 70 alumni, and 70 faculty and staff to march in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day parade to represent the 70 year anniversary of Iona College,” Mealia noted. 

Mealia tries to persuade students to attend the St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York saying, “It truly is a great experience to march down Fifth Avenue and see the thousands of people on the sides cheering, smiling and waving at you. It is a very honoring and humbling experience. It is not often that people have such a fantastic opportunity like marching and representing your college in the St. Patrick’s Day parade.  Marching in the parade is one of the best ways to support Iona, your Irish heritage, and the Irish tradition of Iona College.”

Students can sign up to march in the parade alongside the Pipe band and other members of Iona College in the Office of Student Development or by contacting the Gaelic Society via email at [email protected]. 

Go out and support the Pipe Band and Iona on March 17, for as Mealia says, “It really is great at parades to see students from Iona cheering us on as we march. The best thing is to have a lot of students behind us at the New York City parade, so sign up today and march with the Pipe Band!”