Dave, The Wild Scotsman

 Ph 02 99811673 - 0413122469
David Bowers - Collaroy Plateau, Sydney, Australia

Professional Bagpiper for Hire

Bagpiping for all occastions- playing at Weddings, Parties, Gatherings,
Debutante or Scottish Balls, Burns Nights or Suppers, Christmas Parties,
Hogmanay (New Years Eve), Corporate Functions, Retirement Get-together,
Funeral, Memorial & Committal Services, anything.....

No doubt, once you have made the decision to have bagpipes at your event, you will have friends and family who are surprised or befuddled. Let me assure you that bagpipes work very well at any ceremony..

Weddings
There are written references to piping at weddings in the early 1600s in Scotland, and there is no way of knowing how old the custom may actually be. Almost every European country has an early form of the bagpipe that may have been used in this way. Often in current times, having a bagpiper present at a wedding is a way for the bride and/or groom to celebrate, honor and connect with their Celtic roots . . . or simply do something different.

Other times, the couple may not have any known Celtic connections, yet they still want bagpipes at their wedding. Once you've made the decision that bagpipes are a "must have" part of your wedding, the next step is to determine how and when. You may want the piper to provide all the music, or surprise the guests when escorting the bride and groom out of the ceremony.

Suggestions for the Ceremony

• Play outside as guests arrive or leave.
• Play indoors before ceremony as a prelude - pipes alone or with an organ. 
• Play for the entry of the bridal attendants.
• Play for the Bride's procession.
• During the wedding as a solo or to accompany lighting the Unity candle.
• Play at the end to escort the Bride and Groom out of the ceremony.
• Play for 5-10 minutes and then lead guests to reception or to their cars.

Suggestions for the Reception

• Played outside entrance to reception.
• Lead Bride and Groom into reception.
• Play periodically during the party.

Anniversaries

As an example, the couple can get David to play at their church during the service on the Sunday closest to their anniversary. A tune like “Highland Cathedral” with the arrangement for pipes and organ is a unique way to celebrate their anniversary in a memorable way.

Music

The following list includes suggested tunes. If you have a special tune that you would like to hear, please ask about it. Not all music can be played on the bagpipes. The Highland Bagpipes are an ancient instrument based on the myxilodian scale, with a range of little more than an octave. While much modern music can be adapted to its nine notes, not all can.

The pipes are traditionally played while marching or standing, where sheet music would not be appropriate. I will generally play from memory, so please allow sufficient time for special requests to be learned.

• Highland Cathedral
• Sky Boat Song
• Mairi's Wedding
• Scotland the Brave
• The Maid I Adore
• Road to the Isles
• The Nut Brown Maiden
• Highland Laddie
• The Dark Island
• My Home
• Green Hills of Tyrol (The Scottish Solder)
• Amazing Grace
• Waltzing Matilda
• Flower of Scotland
• Bluebells of Scotland  

For further information please email me at david@divspub.com
Ph 02 99811673 - 0413122469
David Bowers

Funerals
In recent years, the sound of Bagpipes has become associated with funeral services. Perhaps it is the ancient, non-western scale of the instrument, or the soulful and haunting sounds that it makes. But for whatever the reason, many people want to have bagpipes played at a funeral service.

How many times have you seen coverage on the evening news of a funeral for a fireman or policeman who have given their life in the performance of their duties, you can usually hear a piper in the background playing Amazing Grace.

Suggestions for the Funeral Service

• Bagpipes can be played outside as mourners arrive.
• Inside the Chapel or Church. .
• Play as the family enters.
• Play as the casket is brought in.
• At any point in the service, the piper could play a special hymn, or tune on either kind of pipes. The piper could be in the same room, or off in the distance (or outside) if preferred.
• The pipes can be played as the casket is carried out of the chapel.
• Bagpipes can be played as the funeral procession arrives, during the graveside service, or after the service is over and friends and family are leaving.
• The piper to be at a distance and out of sight, when the tune is started. Then move slowly move towards the graveside before the hymn is completed.

For further information please email me at david@divspub.com
Ph 02 99811673 - 0413122469
David Bowers

 

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