Services

Funeral Services

I have had the honor and privilege of piping many people home both in military and civilian funeral services.

Depending on the wishes of the family, I can play at the church/ memorial hall or graveside. Or, if requested, I can play at both.

Church/ Memorial Hall- I can play as the guests are arriving, main selection(s) during the memorial, and/or as the guests are leaving.

At the Graveside- I can march/lead the Hearse to the gravesite, play as guests are arriving, play as the Casket is taken from the Hearse to the site, main selection(s) at the end of the service, and/or pipe as the guests leave.

I can work fluidly with the coordinator, and if needed give suggestions as to timing or placement.

You may ask yourself, “Why should I hire a piper for this type of service?” Please click the button below.

TAPS

In 1862, at Berkley Plantation in Charles City, Virginia Union Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield and his bugler Oliver Wilcox Norton, while the brigades were resting after the Seven Days Battles, wrote and began playing Taps as a lights out call at night. Later that same year Captain John C. Tidball began the long and honored tradition of playing this tune at military funerals.

I have had the honor, both while I was in the service and as a civilian, to play Taps for many military servicemen and women, as well as many veterans of all military branches.

My dad was a big John Wayne fan. Here is John Wayne speaking about TAPS (put together by AdmiralManta on YouTube).

Weddings

Wedding Tunes

There are quite a few tunes for a wedding piper. Below is a list of a few Tunes and you can click the button above to hear me play them.

– Skye Boat Song (a traditional tune made a bit more famous as the main theme from the series Outlander)

-Wedding March (Wagner)

-Highland Wedding

-Mairi’s Wedding

-Scotland the Brave

-Caledonia

There are many other marches that would work as well as dance music (Hornpipes, Jigs, Strathspeys, and Reels) that can be played before, during, and/or after the ceremony. Depending on the tune and if it will fit on the pipes, I might could accommodate special requests.

When, Where, What?

When should I play, where should I stand for the best sound, what can I play at the appropriate times? These seem to be the most important questions. I can help to give suggestions on all three, while you are planning for your special day. Whether I’m playing for a traditional highland style wedding, or however you want the pipes to add to your unique ceremony, I am more than happy to work with you in order to make your special day memorable.

Other Services

Churches, Burn’s Supper, Parties, St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations, etc.

Church/ Memorial Services

I can play hymns and traditional pipe tunes as musical selections for normal church service and devotional music, or for special occasions such as Kirkin' of the Tartans (Presbyterian), or memorial services like 9/11 or Memorial Day.

Parties

What party doesn't need a Bagpipe Player? I am always willing to help get the party started.

Burn's Supper

This is a traditional Scottish evening normally held at a home on or near to the poet Robert Burn's Birthday which is January 25th.

St. Patrick's Day

Normally a busy day for a piper, but I am sure I can fit your pub or bar in for 30 min or an hour of playing.