Matthew Phelps has been playing the bagpipes for 32 years, and in 1999 was promoted to Open or Professional piping status by the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association. This is the highest level of competitive bagpipe playing.
Phelps has played at weddings, funerals, birthday parties, anniversaries, ship launchings, political campaign marches, concert hall and stage performances, at the Basel Tattoo in Switzerland, and at many international pipe band competitions throughout North America, the UK, and Northern Ireland. Past performances also include playing with the Boston Pops at Symphony Hall, at a berry picking Festival in Kuujjuarapik, Nunavik, and at a wedding in Panama.
Both Gig Salad and the piper we booked (Matthew) were a pleasure to deal with. The booking and event ran smoothly.
Matthew gave a wonderful performance and tried to meet my every request --including playing my requested songs (hearing Happy birthday on the bagpipes brought tears to my mother's eyes), and wearing full regalia (kilt, hat, swords and all!) while serenading outside the seniors' home. He was very friendly, polite and sweet. When he sat and ate birthday cake with my 85 yr old mother, she kept whispering how charming he is!
Photos from this event
Matt did a great job. It was cold and windy but he managed to have composure and he sounded great.
Matt was fantastic. On time, looked great, played awesome. What more can you ask for?
The beauty of the music was only exceeded by the caring and cooperative attitude. Outstanding
Matthew Phelps responded quickly was right on time, (he was seamless, which is nice when a loved one dies as we did not need more things to worry about). It was a beautiful send off outside the church and at the Cemetery for my Irish Catholic mom. Most of all, it was beautiful! To hear him play on a cold, snowy day, with the notes lingering in the air. Silence would have been too heavy. It lightened my heart.
Price Range: $200-$1000
Gig Length: 15 - 120 minutes
Languages: English
Clients can expect professionalism and flexibility. If guidance is what you're looking for, I'm happy to provide it. If you have an idea in mind I'll do everything I can to make it happen.
Matthew Phelps began piping at the age of eight. He later attended the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. There he studied under Ed Neigh, Bob Worrall, Bruce Gandy, John Walsh, Fred Morrison, and R. S. Macdonald among other influential pipers of our time.
Matthew attended Saint Andrews Presbyterian College on scholarship for piping and graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree.
2015 brought performances with the Boston Pops and Carlos Nunez at Symphony Hall, also in Boston. Phelps played in Canada for the North American Champio
Matthew has performed throughout the Eastern United States and Canada as well as in Switzerland, Panama, Italy, Ireland and Scotland. Canada and Scotland. Phelps has played with the Trumbull and District Pipe Band of Connecticut, The Gaelic College Pipe Band of Nova Scotia, the Saint Andrews College Pipe Band of North Carolina, the Tulach Ard Pipe Band of Massachusetts, and the Halifax Regional Police Pipes & Drums of Nova Scotia. He was also a member of the Pipes & Drums of the 78th Highlanders when he worked as a re-enactor at the Citadel National Historic Site in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Visit (link hidden) to hear sound samples and to read from other clients' testimonials.
| October 16, 2024 • 2:30pm - 3:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| November 24, 2023 • 12:00pm - 12:15pm | Graduation |
| October 11, 2023 • 2:00pm - 2:15pm | Birthday Party |
| May 27, 2017 • 1:00pm - 4:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| March 18, 2017 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Cultural Event |
| March 17, 2017 • 1:30pm - 1:45pm | School Assembly |
| December 09, 2016 • 9:30am - 11:00am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| October 15, 2016 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Wedding Cocktail Hour |
| August 06, 2016 • 9:30am - 12:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| June 04, 2016 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| March 07, 2016 • 2:30pm - 3:00pm | Birthday (Adult) |
| September 18, 2015 • 11:00am - 3:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| August 29, 2015 • 7:30pm - 10:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| July 24, 2015 • 10:00am - 12:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| July 03, 2015 • 9:00am - 9:15am | Birthday (Adult) |
| May 09, 2015 • 1:00pm - 4:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| June 28, 2014 • 4:00pm - 4:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| May 11, 2014 • 11:00am - 11:45am | Funeral Service |
| January 12, 2014 • 11:00am - 2:30pm | Birthday Party |
| August 24, 2013 • 5:30pm - 6:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
I play most traditional tunes that people know and if I don't I can learn them with little notice.
n/a
Boca Raton, FL 
Bagpiper
88 Verified Bookings Gene said “Toni and her husband were able to come out on short notice and provide and amazing tribute, followed by and Irish toast for the unfortunate passing of…”
Stone Mountain, GA
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22 Verified Bookings Trish A. said “We hired Wayne for community party- he was sweet, professional and talented. It was such a pleasure to work and chat with Wayne! 5 ⭐️‘ s for sure!”
Springfield, MO
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32 Verified Bookings Conner G. said “Joe was very easy to communicate with. If we had any questions he answered them. If we just needed to check in to make sure everything was good and planned…”
Yarmouth, ME
Bagpiper
3 Verified Bookings Karen G. said “Highly recommend John’s playing. It brought many a tear to many eyes at my mothers service.”
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