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Log InRochester Bagpiper
- Rochester, NY
- Bagpiper
- Travels up to 1.5 hours
- Starting at $300 an event
Overview
I’ve been a bagpiper since I was five years old.
I’ve traveled across the U.S., Canada, and Scotland to perform, compete, and educate. I’ve played bagpipes for funerals, weddings, parties, corporate events, fundraisers, PGA Championships, and tons of other occasions.
I encourage you to get in touch so we can craft a plan that works best for your event.
7 Reviews
I was fortunate enough to have Jake play the ceremony music at our wedding earlier this month in Varysburg. He was communicative throughout the whole planning process, accommodating whatever we asked and filling in the gaps whenever we didn't know what to ask. He was early and kind to everyone I saw him interact with. During the ceremony itself, his playing was perfect and always right on cue. After the ceremony, a good family friend who's played the pipes for as long as I could remember pulled me aside and couldn't get over how well Jake played, so you don't just have to take it from me! Wholeheartedly recommend.
Bagpiper
Response from Rochester Bagpiper:
Cheers, Jim! It was my absolute honor and pleasure to play for you and your lovely bride. I wish you nothing but love and happiness. Slainte!
Jake the piper was the best addition to a celebration of life. He was there right on time and played the perfect music choices. While there were tears flowing while he played, the joy we knew it would have been for my mother to know that he was playing for her was greater. He was professional and sounded great.
Funeral Music
Response from Rochester Bagpiper:
Thank you, Matt. It was my honor and pleasure to play for you, your family, and your mother. I'm glad I could bring a little Polish Polka to the celebration for you. Be well.
Jake was outstanding! He walked up the driveway playing and surprised us all with an epic entrance. Jake continued to play numerous songs with such grace and prestige. He educated us on his training journey and mentors. Also about how the bagpipes are played! Very interesting. Jake played for my mother's farewell day in the backyard. He has an amazing gift folks! I would highly recommend Jake for any occasion. We all thankyou Jake.
Celtic Music, Educational Entertainment, Funeral Music, One Man Band
Response from Rochester Bagpiper:
It was my absolute pleasure and privilege to honor your mother on her farewell day. Thank you so much for the kind words, Jenn! Your friends and family were one of my favorite audiences. :)
Tastefully done and appropriate for the circumstances.
Funeral Music
Response from Rochester Bagpiper:
It was my honor to join you and your family, Laurie. Be well!
Jake is a professional who is responsive, easy to work with and more than willing to accommodate changes up to the last minute. He led the opening procession of the Hill of Fame Induction Ceremony for Jim Nantz at Oak Hill Country Club, playing three marches ( "Dornoch Highland Gathering", "Bruce Gandy's Farewell to the Iron Horse", and "Cameron MacFadyen.") on the bagpipes. His playing sounded beautiful and added the right amount of dignity to the ceremony. We can't thank him enough for participating in such a special event for our Club and Members. Also, his willingness to navigate the parking and crowds of the 2023 PGA Championship was appreciated. I would highly recommend hiring Jake for any event.
Celtic Music, Irish / Scottish Entertainment, One Man Band
Response from Rochester Bagpiper:
Dawn, playing for you, Oak Hill, the PGA, Jim Nantz, and everyone in attendance was a tremendous honor and pleasure. It was one of the highlights of my piping career. Thank you for the memory and hospitality!
Professional and respectful. Perfect song choices.
Highly recommend.
Thank you Jake.
Funeral Music, Bagpiper
The piper did exactly what I wanted for my husbands funeral who loved bagpipes and the song Amazing Grace. Would definitely use him for other occasions.
Funeral Music, Bagpiper
Booking Info
Price Range: Starting at $300 an event
Gig Length: 10 - 240 minutes
Languages: English
What to Expect
What Happens When You Hire Jake?
Planning Your Event
If you don’t have an idea in mind, I love creating unique ways to add bagpipes to events. Consultations are free, and I’m available to answer questions whenever you need me.
Music Selection
I have hundreds of tunes in my repertoire that can fit any occasion. Of course, the classics are available: “Amazing Grace,” “Scotland the Brave,” “Auld Lang Syne,” and even “Happy Birthday.”
Uniform/Dress
I will be dressed in full highland gear. If you want to coordinate outfits, I’d love to! Otherwise, I try to match my dress to the event. No white at weddings, black for funerals, etc.
Arrival
I arrive at your event at least half an hour before I’m supposed to perform. This allows me time to meet you, settle into the space, and, most importantly, tune and warm up the pipes!
At the Event
Don’t stress about the piper. I work with other event professionals - wedding planners, funeral directors, stage managers, etc. - to make sure you don’t worry about anything.
About
My parents knew something was off when I started carrying a fanny pack around the house. After some investigation, they discovered I was pretending it was a set of bagpipes. (It was the 90s, we still used fanny packs.)
They found me a teacher, and I’ve been a bagpiper since.
Bagpipes have taken me all over the United States, Canada, and Scotland. I was a founding member of the Feadan Or Pipe Band in Rochester before competing with the world championship-winning 78th Fraser Highlanders in Toronto, Canada.
I am always honored to share some of life’s most intimate moments with my clients. Be that joy, celebration, or even a few tears if Amazing Grace is being played.
I look forward to sharing those moments with you.
Slainte!
Additional Booking Notes
I have no requirements as far as equipment or space, except maybe a ceiling higher than 10 feet!
The bagpipes are completely acoustic and I require no electricity.
Bagpipes can be weather dependent. Though it is possible to play in rain, cold, or snow, I highly prefer not to as it is not good for the instrument.
Services Offered
Past Booked Events
| October 13, 2024 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| September 21, 2024 • 2:00pm - 2:45pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| July 14, 2024 • 1:30pm - 2:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| July 02, 2024 • 11:30am - 12:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| June 08, 2024 • 11:00am - 11:30am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| April 12, 2024 • 9:30am - 11:30am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| February 10, 2024 • 10:00pm - 10:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| January 17, 2024 • 11:00am - 11:15am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| October 15, 2023 • 12:00pm - 2:00pm | Fundraiser |
| June 27, 2023 • 10:30am - 10:45am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| June 03, 2023 • 11:00am - 12:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| November 12, 2022 • 2:30pm - 3:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| November 10, 2022 • 10:00am - 1:00pm | Funeral |
| November 07, 2022 • 12:00pm - 12:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| November 05, 2022 • 5:00pm - 5:15pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
Set List
Sample Repertoire
Standards/Popular
Amazing Grace
Scotland the Brave
Auld Lang Syne
Skye Boat Song
Happy Birthday
Marches/Traditional
Rowan Tree
Minstrel Boy
Bluebells of Scotland
Flett from Flotta
Bonnie Dundee
Green Hills of Tyrol
Battles O’er
Music of Spey
We’re no Awa to Bide Awa
Mairi’s Wedding
Cutting Bracken
At Long Last
The Paylor Brother’s Junkyard
The Gardens of Skye
The Battle of Waterloo
I See Mull
6/8 Marches
Bruce Gandy’s Farewell to the Iron Horse
Kenneth J. Macleod
Pipe Major Donald Maclean of Lewis
The Heights of Casino
Jigs
Cork Hill
Rocking the Baby
Drops of Brandy
Inspector Donald Campbell
Hornpipes
The Pumpkin’s Fancy
John Cairn’s Double
Dr. MacInness’s Fancy
Polkas
The Royal Scots Polka
The Black Watch Polka
Setup Requirements
None