Q&A/FAQ

How do I find or select a bagpiper?

The best way to select a piper is through an audition.  Any piper suitable for playing your event should be willing to meet in person to demonstrate their abilities (for free) and to potentially begin to create a list of key tunes for your event.  You don’t need to be a trained music critic to do this – just listen to them play as you would listen to any performer.  For weddings, I frequently have couples or families visit my home.

I recognize that, in the case of memorial services, there may not always be time for an audition. Many funeral directors have experience with pipers or you can contact me for a recommendation. Being familiar with pipers in the area, and having played at (literally!) hundreds of memorials in every kind of weather, I can help you find an available, solid player for your event.

Set up an appointment for the audition and briefly lay out your event’s musical goals. Tell them that you will want to hear them play tunes that they think might work for you.

When you arrive, make your introductions and have the piper play a few example tunes to fit the goals you’ve described. You’ve given the piper every opportunity to be well prepared and they should have full control over his/her instrument at all times. The rhythms should be fluid and effortless. Honking, squealing, squeaking and “sour” notes should not be part of an audition. The bagpipe drones should blend together and create a warm, rich, harmonically balanced canvas upon which the chanter paints a musical image. A well-tuned bagpipe should sound a bit like a church organ.

Now, for the hard part – you need to be honest with yourself about what you’ve heard. It’s a reality that the piper is very unlikely to sound much BETTER at your event. The way the piper sounds is one thing that the guests will remember.

If what you’ve heard sounds good to you and easily meets your other expectations – go with them. However, if the player delays/cancels the audition – or if their tone, scale or rhythms sound “off” – or if they can’t provide tunes that meet your vision – or you’re just not sure – tell them you’ll “think about it” and audition another piper. (Note: In the Rochester NY area, there are six or seven players that are really good pipers, including myself. If I can’t personally help you for a given event, I can help find you an alternative – and I’m happy to do so.)

I’ll acknowledge that there is a grading system for those pipers who chose to compete – and all the better solo pipers do compete – or did at one time. A grade I or II piper is very competent. However, if a player has “retired” from competition, there’s no real guarantee that they have maintained their skill set. If a player has never competed or only competed in Grade V or IV, they may have a limited repertoire and/or control over their instrument. That’s why the audition is so important.

How expensive is a bagpiper?

There are almost no downsides to having a really good piper at your event. Their larger repertoire and greater skill set makes for better memories. You’ll find that an experienced piper will be a helpful partner in the planning and a joy for you and your guests in the performance.

It may surprise you that pricing isn’t always an good indicator of piping quality. For the Rochester NY area, the current market rate for a bagpiper ranges from $150 to over $400 (USD) depending on the complexity of the event – and how much a piper thinks his/her skills are worth.   Each musician sets their own rate in their own way.

My rates are on the lower side as I’m comfortably retired and don’t want financial concerns to prevent anyone from having quality piping to an event. On the other hand, I spend about $300 per month to develop and maintain my piping. I set my fees based on travel time/distance, total time-commitment including whatever I need to do to provide what you have in mind for your event.  My prices for a single-venue, local memorial service start at about $200, but could reach $300 for a full wedding with reception.

What music will the bagpiper play at an event?

Any piper suitable for playing in public should (minimally) have Amazing Grace, Danny Boy, Going Home, Scotland the Brave, Mairi’s Wedding, Minstrel Boy and Highland Cathedral in their repertoire. There are hundreds other tunes that might be an excellent fit for the various key moments in your event.

I find it helpful to hear about your goals for these key moments and to find a tune that reinforces your goals. With a leaning toward Scottish and/or Irish tunes, my repertoire includes hundreds of melodies at any point in time and I’ll draw from that pool during our discussion. There are tunes that are bold and majestic and others that are more contemplative – and others are just plain beautiful music. I’ll work with you to find just the right tune for your vision. If you have a particular, “non-bagpipe” melody in mind that would be meaningful for you family, I’m willing to see if it can be adapted to the (sometimes limiting) scale of the bagpipe.

Using a memorial service as an example, the key moments might include the beginning or end of the service. The three most commonly requested tunes for these moments are Amazing Grace, Danny Boy, and/or Going Home, but many others are very suitable. I will typically play an assortment of tunes as guests arrive and depart as this helps with the flow of the event. Playing at the church or graveside is usually quite straightforward. Playing at both sites creates a sense of continuity and flow. I also frequently work with Military Honor Guards.

For a wedding, the processional and recessional marches for the wedding party are always key moments, but there are so many other opportunities to really personalize the service. There are tunes that work well to provide a highlight for each part of the wedding as well as providing movement of the wedding party or guests before, during and after the service. Playing at the wedding venue is always my favorite location. Additionally, many families find that piping the newlyweds into the reception is a wonderful way to reprise the exciting moments from earlier in the day.

Depending on the event, I’ve played as little as a single tune to highlight family heritage – and I’ve also provided the entire music for a wedding – from prelude through to the introduction of the bride and groom at the reception.

Just to be clear, when I’m doing preludes, postludes or receiving lines, I don’t expect you to pick and approve every tune in advance. Once the key tunes in place, I’m quite comfortable managing the additional tunes to help facilitate the flow of the event. I’ll select tunes “on-the-fly” that “feel right” and which also support your musical vision for the event.

Bottom line, contact me to discuss your event.

What will the bagpiper wear?

A piper that presents themselves well will provide a long-lasting, positive memory of your event.

I always dress to the modern, semi-formal standard.  I have three, sometimes four, crisply pleated tartan kilts available to me at any time.  They include the blue/green MacLeod of Harris, the predominantly red MacLean of Duart and the multi-colored MacBeth Tartan.  

I’ll usually wear a jacket or vest over a shirt and tie. I wear Ghillie Brogues (a standard style of Scottish shoe) with kilt socks and flashes. I’m not a fan of hats, but the Glengarry bonnet is my first choice. I always bring a rain cape.

Can you provide other musicians, pipers, drummers and/or a band?

I frequently play with the best pipers and drummers in Western NY including Buffalo, Syracuse and Rochester, and even into the Niagara region of Ontario.  I’m happy to talk to the better players in the area and see what we can do to meet your vision!  Frankly, playing with other musicians (including other pipers!) can be a mixed blessing. While fun, the collaboration can require significant efforts to match the tuning,  and will generally limit the available repertoire – so we would absolutely need to discuss several days beforehand.