- East Hartford, CT
- Bagpiper
- $175 – $750 per event
Ashley S. said
“Rick was absolutely wonderful - punctual and talented. Rick added a lot of fun and great music to our vow renewal and we’re so thankful that we found him! ”
Overview
Bagpipes:
I have played as a Piper with the New Hampshire Police Association Pipes and Drums since 2011. During my time with the band, I have played a variety of events, including funerals, retirement parties, pub crawls, both with the band and solo.
My most common performances are at funerals and weddings. But I will play any requested event.
DJ:
I also have a simple DJ setup (new to this, so no crazy extras, but if you are looking for DJ services as well, I could add this to the event. Basic functions, if you need music and a mic, I can accommodate.
Coming soon to the bagpipe performances will be an enhanced performance with backing tracks to go along with the pipes.
Reviews
52 reviews
Eamon B.
April 30, 2026Highly Recommend
Dave did an awesome job at our funeral / burial. Highly responsive, flexible, and talented. Would highly recommend!
Hired as: Bagpiper
Sonja W.
September 16, 2024Perfect
The Celebration of Life for my husband was made so extra special by the lovely bagpipe music. I would highly recommend him!
Hired as: Bagpiper
Robin D.
August 19, 2024Great addition to our party!
David was a hit with everyone. We loved his friendly interaction with all and his music was everything we hoped for. Thank you!
Hired as: Bagpiper
Joan G.
July 6, 2024A Wee Wonderful Bit of Scotland
Over cast and drizzle along with beautiful pipe music set a very Scottish tone for our Memorial Service. David was amazing. The music selection was perfect as was his ensemble. We couldn’t have been happier. Many people said they were moved by how appropriate it was to the occasion He also came along to the luncheons d pipes the guests in there as well.
Hired as: Bagpiper, Funeral Music
603Piper
Thank you for the kind words Joan! It was a lovely service!
Barbara C.
April 23, 2024Would book him again without question!!
He was fabulous !! Accommodating, professional and flexible. He was enjoyed by all those attending event!!
Hired as: Bagpiper
603Piper
Thank you for the kind words Barbara :)
Booking information
Price range: Starts at $300
Languages: English
Gig length: 5 - 120 minutes
What to expect
Pricing:
For a graveside only burial performance, price starts at $250 which Includes one hour of attendance and set up time.
All other events, price starts at $300. This includes my setup time and the first hour of attendance(whether I am playing or not). Every additional hour after the first hour will be $50/HR(rounded up to the next hour). Events over 60 miles away from Bedford NH will include a travel fee of $0.50/mile round trip.
The tunes played at your event, the location of where, when and how long I will be playing are completely at your discretion. If you are not familiar with certain bagpipe tunes I have a variety of tunes appropriate for particular events.
Typically the pipes can be used at events such as funerals and weddings as a supportive instrument, placed somewhere outside the venue playing as guests arrive to lead them inside or as guests leave, or I can play during a service at a church or graveside for a burial as a formal performance. If you need any guidance or recommendations on how to incorporate the bagpipes into your event I would be more than happy to assist you with the planning.
I also have a set of ceilidh small pipes, which are a quieter version of bagpipes with a distinct rich sound, great for indoor events.
Depending on the start time of your event I will need to arrive around 30-45 minutes before hand to allow the pipes to acclimate to the temperature of the venue and to get them tuned up . I will also need to check in with the event coordinator to go over the location where they would like me to play. Location is important if you are using the pipes for background music, they are loud and you don't want to have them playing in someone's ear the entire time.
I can offer a few types of uniform for an event. The first set up consists of a Barathea Argyle Jacket and waist coat(both black), white long sleeve shirt with a vest and tie, glengarry (hat/cover), kilt, sporan and high gloss dress shoes.
Another option is the NHPA band uniform which consists of the blue police uniform, band badge and tie, kilt, horse hair sporan and white spats over the dress shoes. The band uniform is great for law enforcement or military events, requires band authorization for use.
I also have a black kilt, with red accents on the hose and shirt.
Military,Police,Corrections,Fire,EMS discounts are available(Please notify me)
About
For my full time job I am a Realtor® licensed in NH & MA, I work for Keller Williams Metropolitan in Bedford NH. I was first introduced to the bagpipes during my law enforcement career. A fellow officer in the NHPA Pipes & Drums suggested I learn how to play. Once I started taking lessons, I was hooked. I have been a student under Lezlie Webster's instruction for several years.
As of 2023 I am presently Pipe Major for the NHPA Pipes & Drums.
In years past I have competed with the band at the Queechie VT games and the Loon Mountain NH Highland Games. The Band placed 2nd at the Queechie VT Games and 5th at The Loon Highland Games in Lincoln NH .
Additional booking notes
When placing an event request, please make sure to include the venue location and address. If you are working with a funeral home or event planner please include their contact information so I can coordinate the details with them.
Make sure to include the desired start and end time for my performance if it is different from the start and end time of your event.
The bagpipes are a wood based, reed instrument and are sensitive to drastic changes in temperature and humidity. Ideally they should be tuned in the same room where they will be played, a similar room will work too. But tuning outside in 80 degree weather and then going into an air conditioned room could affect the tuning of the pipes.
A tuning room or an area away from the event to warm up is ideal but not required. Also an area to change is helpful as well, driving in a kilt is not pleasant on long drives!
Past booked events
April 2026
09
Thursday
Funeral/Memorial Service
9:30am - 11:30am
•
Laconia, NH
September 2024
14
Saturday
Personal Occasion
2:00pm - 2:30pm
•
Manchester, NH
14
Saturday
Personal Occasion
2:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Francestown, NH
August 2024
17
Saturday
Birthday Party
4:30pm - 5:00pm
•
Atkinson, NH
04
Sunday
Funeral/Memorial Service
10:30am - 11:30am
•
Franklin, NH
June 2024
22
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
12:00pm - 1:00pm
•
New London, NH
April 2024
21
Sunday
Personal Occasion
12:30pm - 1:15pm
•
Milford, NH
March 2024
16
Saturday
Birthday Party
3:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Amherst, NH
January 2024
20
Saturday
Dinner Party
6:30pm - 7:00pm
•
Rye, NH
August 2023
05
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
11:00am - 11:45am
•
New Durham, NH
July 2023
01
Saturday
Birthday Party
6:00pm - 6:15pm
•
Bedford, NH
May 2023
11
Thursday
Birthday Party
12:00pm - 12:30pm
•
Hanover, NH
February 2023
11
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
11:30am - 12:30pm
•
Hampton Falls, NH
September 2022
17
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
2:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Sharon, VT
August 2022
28
Sunday
Wedding Ceremony
4:00pm - 5:30pm
•
Chittenden, VT
September 2021
24
Friday
Fundraiser
8:30am - 9:15am
•
Amherst, NH
August 2021
27
Friday
Wedding Reception
6:00pm - 6:45pm
•
Portsmouth, NH
21
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
6:00pm - 6:30pm
•
Northwood, NH
14
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:00pm - 4:30pm
•
Rutland, VT
July 2021
11
Sunday
Cocktail Party
4:30pm - 6:00pm
•
Salem, NH
07
Wednesday
Funeral/Memorial Service
1:00pm - 1:30pm
•
Thornton, NH
03
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
2:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Templeton, MA
June 2021
21
Monday
Funeral/Memorial Service
11:00am - 11:30am
•
Westbrook, ME
13
Sunday
Funeral/Memorial Service
2:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Carver, MA
May 2021
31
Monday
Funeral/Memorial Service
5:30pm - 6:30pm
•
Westmoreland, NH
29
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
10:00am - 11:00am
•
Francestown, NH
September 2020
19
Saturday
House Party
10:30am - 11:30am
•
Hancock, NH
August 2020
22
Saturday
Birthday Party
5:30pm - 5:45pm
•
Dorchester, NH
August 2019
24
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
9:30pm - 10:15pm
•
Milford, NH
February 2019
14
Thursday
Funeral/Memorial Service
2:00pm - 2:30pm
•
Nashua, NH
September 2018
15
Saturday
Wedding Reception
6:00pm - 6:45pm
•
Westmoreland, NH
08
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
2:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Candia, NH
August 2018
11
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
10:30am - 1:30pm
•
Stoddard, NH
July 2018
13
Friday
Funeral/Memorial Service
1:00pm - 1:45pm
•
Rutland, VT
January 2018
03
Wednesday
Funeral/Memorial Service
4:00pm - 4:15pm
•
Winchendon, MA
November 2017
14
Tuesday
Funeral/Memorial Service
12:00pm - 12:30pm
•
Boscawen, NH
09
Thursday
Corporate Event
12:00pm - 1:00pm
•
Nashua, NH
October 2017
13
Friday
Funeral/Memorial Service
9:00am - 9:30am
•
Grafton, VT
September 2017
30
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
2:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Harrisville, NH
23
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
5:30pm - 7:00pm
•
Hollis, NH
09
Saturday
Wedding Reception
2:00pm - 4:30pm
•
Woodstock, VT
04
Monday
Parade
2:00am - 3:00am
•
Francestown, NH
August 2017
03
Thursday
Wedding Ceremony
6:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Haverhill, MA
July 2017
26
Wednesday
Funeral/Memorial Service
10:30am - 10:45am
•
Bedford, NH
08
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
2:00pm - 2:30pm
•
Acton, ME
June 2017
30
Friday
Wedding Ceremony
5:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Chichester, NH
24
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
3:00pm - 3:45pm
•
Rindge, NH
17
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
2:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Walpole, NH
14
Wednesday
Nonprofit Event
3:30pm - 4:30pm
•
Keene, NH
03
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
5:00pm - 5:30pm
•
Nashua, NH
May 2017
27
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
11:00am - 11:30am
•
Derry, NH
24
Wednesday
Funeral/Memorial Service
11:00am - 12:00pm
•
Nashua, NH
20
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
2:00pm - 3:30pm
•
Claremont, NH
20
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
12:00pm - 1:00pm
•
Keene, NH
19
Friday
Funeral/Memorial Service
9:00pm - 9:45pm
•
Randolph Center, VT
April 2017
29
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
1:00pm - 2:00pm
•
Ayer, MA
29
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
11:00am - 11:30am
•
Southampton, MA
March 2017
17
Friday
NHPA St Paddy's Day Pub Crawl
7:00am - 11:55pm
10
Friday
NHPA Fund Raiser Dinner
1:00pm - 11:00pm
04
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
9:00am - 11:00am
•
Barrington, RI
February 2017
11
Saturday
Casco ME Indoor Games
8:00am - 5:00pm
January 2017
28
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
4:30pm - 5:15pm
•
Bennington, VT
07
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
11:00pm - 11:30pm
•
Dover, NH
December 2016
17
Saturday
Holiday Party (Christmas)
7:30pm - 8:30pm
•
Walpole, MA
November 2016
05
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
1:00pm - 1:45pm
•
Manchester, NH
October 2016
29
Saturday
Birthday (Adult)
6:00pm - 6:30pm
•
Henniker, NH
12
Wednesday
Wedding Ceremony
3:30pm - 4:30pm
•
Ludlow, VT
12
Wednesday
Funeral/Memorial Service
10:00am - 12:30pm
•
Whitehall, NY
08
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
1:00pm - 2:00pm
•
Northfield, MA
08
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
11:00am - 11:45am
•
Hudson, NH
01
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:00pm - 3:45pm
•
Rindge, NH
September 2016
24
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:00pm - 3:30pm
•
Goffstown, NH
16
Friday
Solo Competition Highland Games Loon Mt Lincoln NH
8:00am - 6:00pm
10
Saturday
Wedding-Penacook NH
1:00pm - 3:00pm
03
Saturday
Wedding Reception
5:00pm - 5:30pm
•
Mapleville, RI
August 2016
27
Saturday
Solo Competition,Quechee Games VT
9:00am - 6:00pm
07
Sunday
Funeral/Memorial Service
1:30pm - 2:00pm
•
Wilmington, VT
July 2016
16
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Laconia, NH
June 2016
23
Thursday
Nonprofit Event
4:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Keene, NH
11
Saturday
Windsor VT Parade (NHPA P&D Event)
12:00pm - 2:00pm
May 2016
22
Sunday
Funeral/Memorial Service
5:30pm - 6:00pm
•
Peterborough, NH
20
Friday
Funeral/Memorial Service
10:30am - 11:15am
•
York, ME
07
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
11:00pm - 11:30pm
•
Goffstown, NH
Set list
Below is a list of tunes that I have memorized and play regularly. If a tune that you would like to have played is not listed below, please let me know PRIOR to booking and with ample time to learn the tune, 1-2 months preferable. Requests for tunes that I don't know made after the booking may be subject to an additional fee.
Also, please be aware, that the bagpipes are in a different key than most instruments and only has nine notes. Common songs by regular musical artists are not playable on the bagpipes or sound strange because of the different key.
Common funeral tunes:
-Amazing Grace
-Going Home
-Danny Boy
-Mist covered mountains
-The bells of Dunblane,
-Flower of Scotland
-Military Anthems (Marines, Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force)
-The green hills of Tyrol
-The battles o'er
-The Parting Glass
-Farewell to Camraw
-The Sky Boat Song
-Hard Times
Other tunes:
-Highland Cathedral
-Raglan Rd
-Scotland the brave
-Rowan tree, Wings
-The Rose of Allendale
-The Minstrel boy
-Wearing of the Green
-Let Erin Remember
-Dawning of the day
-Faulkland Palace
-Chanter Tune
-Irish eyes
-The Rakes of Mallow
-The Steam Boat
-Garryowen
-Sean south
-The Famous Baravan
-The Panda
-The Glasgow City Pipers
-Auld Lang Syne
-Wild rover
-Itchy fingers
-Minard Castle
-Men of the West
-Molly Darlin
-Star of the County Down
-Shipping up to Boston
-The Gael (last of the mohicans theme)
-Dances with wolves theme
-Yankee Doodle
-Grand Old Flag
-When the Saints go Marchin' In
-The Girl from Dungannon
-The Soldier's Return
-McPherson's Lament
-Mary's Wedding
-Highland Laddie
-The Prince of Denmark's March (aka The Trumpet Voluntary)
-A gift of thistle (from Braveheart)
-The Ass in the Graveyard
Setup requirements
Tuning room or area
Changing area (helpful but not required)
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