Latest News & Information...

Welcome to our band website!The band's 15th Annual Pub Tour is coming up on February 11, 2012 so get your tickets now the tour sells out quick!Download a flyer on the right!Upcoming events....February 2012February 11, 2012 - 15th Annual Pub Tour See info on the right.February 19, 2012 - Irish Wake Hemmingways Seaside Heights NJ 3:00pmMarch 2012March 4, 2012 - Belmar St. Patricks Parade Belmar NJ - 12:00pmMarch 10, 2012 - Seaside St. Patricks Parade Seaside Hghts NJ -12:00pmMarch 11, 2012 - Philadelphia St. Patricks Parade Philadelphia, Pa. - 12:00pm

pub-tour-2012-flyer.pdf

ABOUT US

Tradition....since 1974

The Shamrock and Thistle Pipe Band was founded in February 1974 under the direction and tutelage of Pipe Major Dennis Staer and Drum Sergeant, William King, Sr. The original idea for the band was that of James Curry, Esquire, a Toms River attorney whose love of bagpipe music, although not a player, promoted the initial gathering of prospective students. Through long and tedious lessons, and countless hours of practice, the band began to emerge. Over the first two years, the band raised on its own, over $1,200.00 to outfit itself in the full dress highland military uniforms, including the world famous black feathered bonnet. To outfit the band now, it costs approximately $2,500.00 per person. Parades, concerts, and contests were entered in order to offset these costs. After 37 seasons the Shamrock and Thistle Pipe Band has compiled an admirable record, including numerous appearances at festivals, ethnic affairs, and bicentennial events. The band attended dedications all over New Jersey and New York , including the New Jersey Vietnam Memorial, Gulf War Veterans in Seaside Heights, and the 175th Anniversary in Freehold for the Adelphia Fire Company. The band recently traveled to Ireland (1998) to participate in Dublin's St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Scotland (2000) where we played at the Stirling Highland Games. March of 2004 we went to Ireland and marched in the Limerick and Galway St. Patrick's Day Parades. There we won 2 awards and brought home 2 trophies! The trips were a great success and could not have been made possible without all the hard work and determination of band members and their families. In 2007 the band once again performed abroad this time on the open seas of the Carribean on the cruise ship Explorer of the Seas from Royal Carribean.The bright yellow color of the dress MacLeod Tartan, the "skirl" of the pipers and drummers led by Drum Major Thomas J. King, Pipe Major William J. King, Pipe Sergeant Keith A. Tice, and Drum Sergeant John J. King, will surely strike a thrill in your soul. Our instructor for piping is: John Cumming for beginners. Drumming instructors are: Drum Sergeant John J. King for snare drummers, Thomas J. King for bass, and Tim Cook for tenor drummers.We as a band would like to thank all members past and present as well as all who have supported us through the years especially our families. This band could never be where it is today without you. Thank You.

FIRST BAND PHOTO IN FULL DRESS WITH OUR NEW FEATHER BONNETS.JPG
PHOTO SHOOT AT TOMS RIVER ELKS MAY 1979.JPG
PHOTO SHOOT AT TOMS RIVER ELKS MAY 1979-2.JPG
BILL KING,SR. PASSING IT ON TO HIS SONS.JPG
ALLENTOWN,NJ-1983-1.JPG
ALLENTOWN,NJ MEMORIAL DAY PARADE-1983-Bill King.JPG
ALLENTOWN,NJ MEMORIAL DAY PARADE-1983-Mike Halpin.JPG
WOODBRIDGE NJ PARADE WINDY AND COLD.JPG
BATTLE OF MONMOUTH PARADE FREEHOLD,NJ JUNE 1979.JPG
BATTLE OF MONMOUTH PARADE FREEHOLD,NJ JUNE 1979-2.JPG
WALDORF-ASTORIA NOV 30,1984.JPG
WEDDING AT BAY HEAD FIREHOUSE.JPG
ALLENTOWN, NJ MEMORIAL DAY PARADE 1986 RETIRED DRUM MAJOR MIKE HALPIN MEETS BAND AT END OF PARADE THANKS MIKE!!!!!!.JPG
ST. ANDREWS-11 1984-2.JPG
ST ANDREWS-11 - 1984.JPG
FOUNDERS DAY- PARADE TOMS RIVER NJ 1976.JPG
FOUNDERS DAY PARADE TOMS RIVER NJ 1976-2.JPG
IRISH AFTERNOON GEORGIAN COURT COLLEGE LAKEWOOD, NJ 1990.JPG
KEASBURG PARADE JUNE 1989.JPG
LAVALLETTE, NJ 1987.JPG
MASSED BANDS AOH FESTIVAL TRENTON,NJ.JPG
BELMAR-1975.JPG
STAFFORD TOWNSHIP FOUNDERS DAY 1976.JPG
SCOTS FESTIVAL AT HOLMDEL,NJ 1976-2.JPG
SCOTS FESTIVAL AT HOLMDEL,NJ 1976-1.JPG

Band Roster

Roster

Pipe SectionPipe Major - William King Jr.Pipe Sgt. - Keith TicePipe Cpl. - Andrew TicePipe Cpl - Tom McGovernJohn ArtzLouis BiancoFred C. CarrMatt ConwayArtie JohnstonGeoff KnudsonJim LeonardKevin McNicholsTim McNicholsBob SinnottJim VentimigliaPat WalshDrum SectionDrum Major/Business Agent - Tom KingDrum Sgt. - John J. King - SnareDrum Cpl. - John Elliott - SnareDrum Cpl. - John Flitton - BassDrum Cpl. - Tim Cook - TenorDrum Cpl. - Mike McDyer - TenorKeith Burns - SnareJack Cronen - SnareRichard Gabriel - TenorBobby Jones - SnareJoe McGlone - SnareCathy King Olsen - SnareRobert Kennedy - TenorTom King Jr. - TenorRick Winch (The Colonel) - TenorBanner CarriersBrian MortonKen Beck
GALLERY

Gallery

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SCHEDULE

Schedule

February 2012February 11, 2012 - 15th Annual Pub Tour See info on the right.February 19, 2012 - Irish Wake Hemmingways Seaside Heights NJ 3:00pmMarch 2012March 4, 2012 - Belmar St. Patricks Parade Belmar NJ - 12:00pmMarch 10, 2012 - Seaside St. Patricks Parade Seaside Hghts NJ -12:00pmMarch 11, 2012 - Philadelphia St. Patricks Parade Philadelphia, Pa. - 12:00pm
VIDEOS

Videos

2011 Dinner Dance

Shamrock & Thistle Pipes and Drums

Shamrock & Thistle Pipes and Drums

Contact

Tom King/Drum Major/Business Agent732.506.7786

E-Mail MEMBERSHIP/PRACTICE

Membership/Practice

The band is always looking for new members either experienced or not.The band will tutor any new student free of charge in lieu of a student committing themselves to the band as a full time playing member taking part in parades and events each year. The band provides the basic uniform for summer/winter (kilts,jacket,shirts,hose,hats,belts,sporran)as well as the drums. Bagpipes are personal intruments that must be purchased by individual students/members.The band is currently changing practice locations which will be announced soon.Note:Practice will be discontinued for the holiday break from December through the second week of January. Date will be posted.Please call numbers below if interested.Place: New location to be announcedTime: 7pm - 9:30pmDrumming : Tom King - 848-448-0134 John King - 732-687-2207Piping : Bill King - 732-864-7508 Keith Tice - 609-713-3691
BLOG

Message Board...

MEMBERS MEMORIAL

Rest in Peace...

Band MembersWilliam King Sr. - Co-Founder/Drum Sgt. - Snared1985 Father of Tom, Bill, Cathy & John King. Brother of John FlittonIke Murray - Bagpiper d1980sBill Lawrence - Bagpiperd1979Jimmy Byrne - Bagpiper d1980sRene Fryer - Bagpiperd1992Frank Linzmayer - Bagpiperd2000sJohn Hempen - Tenor Drummerd2008Bob Armitage - Former Pipe Majord2010William McMenamin - Bagpiperd2011Family Patricia King - Wife of Co-Founder William King Sr.d2007 Mother of Tom, Bill, Cathy & John KingJames T. McDyer - Father of Tenor Drummer d2007 Mike McDyerDick Gabriel - Brother-in-law/King Familyd2010James Cook - Father of Tenor Drummer Tim Cookd2010Jerald A. Tice - Father of Piper Keith Ticed2010 Grandfather of Piper Andrew TiceRenee McGlone - Wife of Drummer Joe McGloned2011 Friends Needham Fitzpatrick - Longtime Band Bus Driverd2010 Academy Bus William Skorton - Long time King family friend and d2011 supporter of the band.
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