My repertoire includes many familiar Scottish and Irish tunes in all idioms. I also play hymns and even some popular songs. Let me know if you have a favorite. I’ll be glad to offer suggestions. I have music appropriate for weddings, funerals or memorial services and other occasions: St. Andrews Day, Robert Burn’s Birthday, St. Paddy’s Day, or your loved one’s birthday!
Bagpipes at a Wedding
There are a variety of ways to incorporate the pipes in a wedding. For example, often the pipes make a notable welcome as the guests arrive. You can incorporate them into the ceremony itself (typically the processional or recessional). Or have them provide music immediately after the service. Pipes are a fun way to lead guests from the ceremony to the reception area. Another option is piping during the cocktail hour.
For a bagpipe processional, here are a few options:
- Traditional Wedding March (Wagner)
- Skye Boat Song (Outlander Theme)
- Love Divine (Hyfrydol tune)
- A Love Song for Deborah Anne (lovely 3/4 waltz signature)
- Amazing Grace
- Highland Wedding
- Highland Cathedral
- Mari’s Wedding
- Ode to Joy
Piping Samples
Here are a couple recordings of me playing tunes from the above list. Here’s A Love Song for Deborah Anne:
And here is Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Hyfrydol setting):
Bagpipe Tunes for Memorials and Gravesides
During and/or after the service, or at the graveside, typically the pipes play as the casket is carried from the hearse to graveside (often “Going Home,” “MacCrimmon Will Never Return” or Danny Boy) and again at the close of the ceremony (most often Amazing Grace).
Ask me about a piobaireachd (pibroch), a long “classical” lament.
Pipes for “Brigadoon”
If you are staging a production of the Broadway show Brigadoon and need a piper, give me a call. My start in Brigadoon was under the direction of James Jamieson, who had worked with and danced for Agnes DeMille on the original broadway production. As a result, I am familiar with the piping requirements, principally the funeral dance. I accompany the entrance of the body playing Lord Lovat’s Lament and proceed into The Funeral Dance. I can play as per the original score or an abbreviated version according to the choreography of your production.
Hymns
Certain Hymns play very well on the pipes. I have some two dozen in my repertoire in addition to Amazing Grace, for example: Abide with Me, the Doxology (Old Hundredth), Just as I am, and Alas and Did my Savior Bleed (Martyrdom tune).
Also Lord of the Dance (Simple Gifts), Will the Circle Be Unbroken and I’ll Fly Away.
Slow and Quick Marches, Strathpeys, Reels, Jigs, Hornpipes, Slow Airs
Of course I have a wide repertoire of traditional Scottish and Irish tunes in all the idioms from airs to marches to dance tunes, as well as piobaireachd.
Ask about your favorite tune or special request. Or leave the program to me.
Piping Links of Interest
Below are several links to piping-related sites that may be of interest.
- The Atlanta Pipe Band
- David Naill & Co. Ltd. Bagpipe Makers – I play David Naill Pipes, which are among the finest pipes made today.
- www.Bagpipe.News – Publication on all things piping from The National Piping Centre
- The National Piping Centre
- Piping Live! – Annual weeklong “pipingpallooza” in Glasgow!
- Roddy Macleod, MBE – Roddy is a renown, world champion piper. I receive personal instruction from Roddy.
- Willie McCallum Piping – Willie is another phenomenal piper who holds the record for most wins in the Glenfiddich Championship (top ten pipers by invitation each year).
- Scottish Piping Society of London
- The Story of the Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band – The long movie trailer to a great documentary by American documentary filmmaker John MacDonald.
- Andrew Lenz’s Bagpipe Journey – A great compendium on piping.
- SMHG.org – The Stone Mountain Highland Games web site.
- EUSPBA.org – The Eastern United States Pipe Band Association
404 434 7998 or robt.g.rogers@gmail.com