Let My Experience Enhance Yours
I’ve been playing for a long time. And when it comes to choosing a piper to enhance the experience of your event—well, “experience” is the very word at the heart of everything.
Sample recordings
Here are some quick sound samples to give you an idea of my playing. These are some favorite airs of mine—tunes that are well placed at commemorative events such as funerals or memorials.
My methodology as a performer
Again, I’ve been at this for a long time (25+ years in fact). In that time I’ve studied from numerous instructors, worked/played with scores of other exceptional musicians, and have been hired for hundreds upon hundreds of events. Believe me, I kind of wish “hundreds upon hundreds” was an exaggeration, since the sheer volume of performances over the years reminds me of my age in a manner that I’m more than happy to avoid. =)
I’ve learned a great deal over those years though—and rest assured the learning continues. I’ve always said “the day I don’t learn something new is the day my obituary goes to print.”
So I’ve learned a lot about piping in my time. Most of all, I’ve learned that I love it. What’s more, I want to do everything in my power to ensure that others love it as well. That, first and foremost, is the first prerequisite for a piper who seeks to be hired for an event. I suppose that’s the easy part. Additionally from there, things get a bit tougher.
As one might imagine, learning the pipes to an extent where performances are truly a delight for any given audience takes a great deal of time and struggle. And I can tell you, this struggle never fully abates. A piper worthy of hire needs to work/think tirelessly at how to deliver what’s expected/desired at their event. Setting reeds, tuning appropriately without being a nuisance, controlling the instrument so that it’s ready and sounding its best at precisely the right moment—any piper who fails to take such things into account is one who (in my view) needs to spend much more time honing their craft before seeking to perform as a hired professional.
I love the bagpipes—as a performer my job is to ensure the audience does as well.
Anyone who hires me will know and tell you, I care deeply about delivering a solid performance on an excellently tuned instrument coupled with expressive and well-developed playing.
No one deserves any less—and no one will receive less if I have anything to say about it.
Get in touch
For more information and/or rates, please get in touch with me via the contact page. I look forward to hearing from you!