Why bagpipes?

Piping is actually an ancient tradition (cf. the Silver Pipes of Ur, Matt 9:18, etc.). A bagpipe tribute to the deceased (or at any event) is not just a fringe ceremonial niche catering only to certain groups or idiosyncratic tastes; it is actually a very ancient practice that has spanned cultures. Though now strongly associated with Scotland, it is not just reserved for or relevant to those of Scottish background, and the variety of event types I’ve been booked for over the years has demonstrated this. So whether you are Scottish, Irish, or not even close, you would be equally justified in hiring a piper to keep the tradition alive.

What’s involved in hiring bagpipers?

I suspect that a lot of people probably dismiss the idea of hiring bagpipers out of concern it is just another logistical hassle (like hiring bands can be), or that it feels like uncharted territory that might entail more than you bargained for. But it is actually a very simple process, especially with me. Simply contact me for a quote, let me know the when/where and any other details you might have, and your work is done! (Though if your event follows a program, info on where I fall in the schedule is helpful to get ahead of time.) I’m low-maintenance, easygoing, and highly experienced at facilitating a natural ceremonial flow. I require no deposits, contracts, or conditions, but can provide documents like invoices and W-9s if requested.

How much does a piper cost?

Unfortunately this is a difficult question to answer succinctly because it can vary so much depending on factors such as requested tunes, complexity of the ceremony, distance, and time. I have played one-and-done 5 minute gigs that were a stone’s throw from my house, and I have played long, arduous, stamina-testing gigs that were also a 4 hour drive from my house; needless to say, my rate differed tremendously between them.

In any case, don’t hesitate to contact me any time for a free quote. Rest assured I am fair and competitively priced, and while I have my go-to starting rates, I am always glad to work within budgets or match other rates.

As far as how to “pay the piper”: I can pretty much take anything but card. Cash, check, and Venmo are my go-to methods. If any questions remain, I encourage you to reach out!

My rates are ALWAYS lower for Law Enforcement or Fire-related gigs.

What tunes do you play?

There are thousands of bagpipe tunes in existence, so we can’t know them all, but a crucial part of being a piper is knowing a good amount of them, especially the traditional ones. Every now and then I’ll get a request for one that I don’t play or haven’t played in a while, but I am well-acquainted with all of the classics, and 99% of the time this has encompassed any specific requests. If you have your heart set on a certain tune, let me know, and if it turns out to be one that falls within that 1%, I would be glad to learn it for you, time allowing. A small selection of samples of my go-to tunes can be found on my Audio Samples page.

When do you play?

It’s actually interesting to me how often I get this question, because being hired to be at your service, the answer to that is totally up to you! I can play at the beginning, middle, or end of a ceremony, and am not limited to a predefined act/protocol that only suits certain segments of a ceremony. I’m pretty flexible and can pretty much play wherever/whenever you like. My only request is that in the case of events that have a pre-arranged program, such as funeral services and weddings, that my part in it be confirmed, and even more helpful is to get a signal from someone running the show to visually affirm to me when it’s my turn to start playing.