It started out as a police and fire band—only there weren’t really enough cops and firefighters to fill out an entire band. So membership in the Philadelphia Emerald Society Pipe Band was opened up to civilians.
From that point on, the band has moved from its humble beginnings in an American Legion hall, marching in parades throughout the Delaware Valley, to its longtime practice hall in the ballroom at the Philadelphia Irish Center/Commodore Barry Club. After that move, the band became an integral part of the Irish community, playing for everything from county banquets to the annual Joe McGarrity memorial in Holy Cross Cemetery to—of course—the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Emerald also transitioned from a band that only marched in parades to a competition unit that tests its mettle against bands from the Midlantic states throughout the spring and summer.
The band has also taken its act to Ireland on several occasions.
Adding to its many honors, Emerald is this year’s winner of the Commodore Barry Award at the Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame Dinner.
For a more complete history, we touched base with Emerald’s pipe major emeritus, Joe Tobin. Here’s what he had to say.
