The New York State Percussion Circuit was founded in 1996. Tim Stodd served as the first president of the NYSPC, and established the first adjudication sheets, by-laws, and competition structures with the help of the late Karl Swearingen. Many of the early NYSPC rules and regulations were modeled after the American Drumline Association from Southern California, where Karl Swearingen had served as an administrator.

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The first NYSPC Championship show was held at Rochester’s Bishop Kearney High School in May of 1996. The six participating ensembles included Aquinas Institute, Bishop Kearney HS, Hilton HS, Homer HS, Liverpool HS, and North Tonawanda HS, and they were divided into two marching divisions.

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Concert classes were added in 1998, and SUNY Geneseo and Nazareth College were the first participants in that class.

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Many events in the early years featured exhibition groups in addition to the competing ensembles, and some events had as many exhibitions as there were competitors. Gradually, more ensembles entered to compete each year.

 

In 2005, the NYSPC became a WGI Circuit Partner, began using the WGI Adjudication Sheets.

Participating public schools have always hosted NYSPC local events. The Championship Shows were also hosted by participant schools from 1996-2010.

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Championship Show Hosts listed by year:
1996: Bishop Kearney HS
1997: Aquinas Institute
1998-2002: Hilton HS
2003-2007: Central Square HS
2008-2010: Victor HS

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Perhaps the most notable change occurred in 2011 when the NYSPC hosted its (first non-local host) Championship Show at the Gordon Field House at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The following year, the NYPSC Championship Show moved to the brand new SRC Center at the Onondaga Community College. The NYSPC Championship Show has been held there each year since 2012.

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2011: Gordon Field House at RIT
2012-2022: SRC Center at OCC

2023: Gates Chili HS

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Over the past two decades, the NYSPC has continued to evolve, innovate, and expand along with the indoor percussion activity. Its competing ensembles have become more sophisticated and refined over the years, with many of the top level ensembles ranking among the world's best in their respective classes.