We want you to join the SJPES band!
About OuR Band
Along with the San Jose Police Emerald Society, our band was born on May 25, 2017 when we performed our first police memorial. We later made it official when we incorporated on August 1, 2017.
The band is currently made up of 14 pipers and 8 drummers. Half of the pipers are Grade III, IV, and V competition pipers and the other half are newer or returning pipers who receive personal instruction by the more advanced pipers in the band.
We are currently inviting active duty or retired law enforcement, fire, EMT or public safetly officers that play or would like to learn to play bagpipes or drums to join our band. We also offer beginng instruction to current or retired law enforcement officers, FREE of charge. It is a goal of the San Jose Police Emerald Society band to someday have at least 50% of our performing members be active duty officers.
The band wears the San Jose Police Emerald Society tartan which was designed and manufactured specifically for the band and members of our Emerald Society. The band supplies most of the uniform parts and encourages its band members to buy their own custom fitted kilt.
What we do
The band performs at events to support the mission of the San Jose Police Emerald Society by “Rendering Support and Keeping Their Memory Alive” by continuing to honor the memories of officers that fell in the line of duty.
We also honor and provide a police presence for retired officers that have passed away. During their careers, officers sacrifice so much for their departments and the citizens they swore to protect. No police retiree’s funeral should lack representation from the law enforcement community that they loved for so many years. The San Jose Police Emerald Society is honored to provide that presence when requested.
In addition to law enforcement funerals, the band also performs at civic ceremonies, parades, police & fire academy graduations, police memorials, opening ceremonies, sporting event, military occasions, and fundraisers.
The band averages over 25 band appearances a year. Whether we perform at a funeral, memorial, or some other ceremony, we always like to celebrate the person or occasion by visiting a local pub, lifting a pint to the joy we experience when sharing our music.
If you want more information or wish to hire a solo piper or band, please email us at sjpoliceemeralds@gmail.com.
How to join
The band normally practices at the San Jose Police Officers Association hall once a week. The days can change throughout the year due to the hall availability and our performance schedule.
To join, email Pipe Major Brian Hyland (SJPD Ret.) at sjpoliceemeralds@gmail.com. Let us know your musical experience, availability, and commitment level.
We hope to hear from you soon!