I have listed several types of events below in the format I usually use. Each event is different, however, and I tailor my performance to my clients' wishes and specific tune selections where possible. The song titles listed below are midi files, not real bagpipe recordings. They are included so that you can hear what the tunes sound like. To play a tune, simply click on the tune name. Note that the tune lists below are just a sampling of the most requested and most often played, the lists are not intended to be exclusive. The tunes used in most categories are interchangeable, choose the tunes you like--and I will suggest others--regardless of the way I list them.
Most of the weddings I do use pipes throughout, however your needs come first and I am comfortable doing just the recessional if that is what you want.
Campbell's Farewell to Redcastle
The Festival March
The Rowan Tree
Highland Cathedral
My Home
Believe Me (If All Those Endearing
Young Hearts)
AKA: My Lodging's on the Cold Cold Ground
Westering Home
Scotland the Brave
Mairi's Wedding
Wearin' O' the Green
Captain Norman Orr-Ewing
At many of the weddings I play there is a brief "Remembrance" for
grandparents and others who could not attend because they have passed
on. Amazing Grace is very appropriate during this reflective period, and
I do have a selection of hymns that could be used as well.
I heartily recommend playing at the reception, but not for long
periods. I lead the Bride and Groom into the reception hall with a
rousing march and then play off and on (four to six sets) for about an
hour. The pipes have one volume, rather loud, and people want to talk
and celebrate. In my 30+ years of performing, I have learned how to read
an audience and balance my playing accordingly.
I typically play at both the church or chapel and at the grave site. For the service, I usually play just before and as the casket is taken to the conveyance. At the gravesite, I play as the pall bearers bring the casket to the graveside and at the end of the service. The following tune are used throughout:
Flowers o' the Forest
Amazing Grace
Mist Covered Mountains
Going Home
I have played birthdays, bar mitzvahs, parties, family gatherings, grand openings, anniversaries, retirement parties, and for theatrical performances. The bagpipe entertainment is always the hit of any event. Bagpipes make special occasions more special and especially more memorable! If you have specific tune choices, please let me know.
People love to use the bagpipe as a surprise, and a wonderful one it
is. I once woke a man for his 50th Birthday by piping outside his
bedroom window at 6:00 AM! I have also been the surprise recessional at
three different weddings, marching in from outside the church, down the
aisle for the bride and groom, and then leading them out. The pipes do
require tuning before a performance, but this can usually be arranged
with no one the wiser.
It is also best to plan your event so that the piper plays no more than
fifteen to twenty minutes at a time. The bagpipe is a loud and stirring
instrument, and audiences sometimes get restless. My philosophy is
"always leave them wanting more, not wishing I'd shut down."
