Have Bagpipes, will travel. I am a novelist and humor writer and I enjoy getting out and playing tunes for funerals, weddings, holidays, special events, etc. It is such a niche demand and pipers can be hard to find. Can dress according to event (Irish pub performance doesn't necessarily demand a full Prince Charlie getup while a funeral may be more formal).
I generally charge $200 plus travel expenses for an event. Funerals are rarely planned far in advance and I try to be available on short notice.
As an author I write primarily sci-fi, fantasy, and speculative fiction. I am also a public speaker and licensed minister.
Thirty one years ago my husband told me on our first date that he wanted Amazing Grace on bagpipes at his funeral. He even bought a cd of a mix he liked. He passed unexpectedly from Covid at age 48 a few weeks ago. We displayed his kilt at the service because everyone knew that was important to him. I have the cd. but I searched to see if I could find something better.
I was shocked to find this site and stumbled across Chris. He was prompt, professional, courteous, and his playing was absolutely beautiful. He was flexible with the time slot I provided. He listened to my request and offered suggestions for things I was unsure of. He looked amazing in his kilt. Once he started playing I knew my Jason was looking down with the biggest grin on his face! Amazing Grace sounded stunning in person. Not a dry eye in the house once he started playing. I highly, highly recommend him.
Thank you Chris for helping me make my husband's lifelong dream come true.
Did a nice job on short notice and in cold, unpleasant temperatures. Performed in full dress with kilt even though it was not required for our small event. Your performance and travel to the event were much appreciated. Thank you for your assistance.
To have Christopher with us, in his full Scottish flair, was most impressive. Since I am of Scottish decent, the bagpipes have always been my favorite kind of music. He played the right songs and provided the whole family with the right touch for the occasion, a graveside memorial
Thanks,
Jeanie Nokes
I loved watching our guests respond to our surprise- bagpipes! He was so professional with our wedding. My husband loved it!
Chris was fantastic! Not a dry eye in the church. I highly recommend. Very easy to book. Wonderful experience. So happy we hired him. You will not be disappointed :)
Photos from this event
Chris played the songs we requested and even added a bit. He was fantastic!!
When I booked the event, Christopher was very prompt with his replies. He was unavailable for my original date but accommodated what turned out to be a better date. I put the wrong time when I hired him. He was willing to change his schedule to fix my mistake. He played, "Amazing Grace" and "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus"...which he played phenomenally! He arrived early and stayed after, answering questions. Very profesional and personable. Christopher is who you want to hire.
Response from Christopher Schmitz, Bagpiper:
Thank you so much! It was an honor to play for his memorial
Christopher was prompt played beautifully and everyone enjoyed the service, Thanks!
Response from Christopher Schmitz, Bagpiper:
Thank you! It was an honor to play for your mother's memorial
He was absolutely amazing for my father's funeral. He showed up early ...he played wonderfully brought many tears to people's eyes!
My Scottish/Irish heritage made me know I wanted a bagpiper at my wedding, Christopher was truly amazing. He wowed everyone with his beautiful playing, he went above and beyond and played the song I wanted and love dearly for me to walk down the aisle to. Words can't express the extra charm he added to my special day 😊❤️
Christopher came to my family reunion in a small town park and did a great job performing for us. His song selection was wonderful and he was very attentive to the people. He went out of his way to find us and we really appreciated his performance. Thanks so much!
After having to wait four months after my husbands funeral to bury him, having Christopher play the bagpipes made the commital service so much more meaningful and comforting. They were beautiful! Christopher did exactly as I had asked and was courteous, pleasant and respectful. Thank you for giving us a memorable day on a sad occasion.
Chris was professional, courteous and had a positive attitude.
His performance was great.
Chris was great for my nephew's funeral. Anyone who wasn't already crying, was after he played-- it added a beauty and solemnity to a celebration of my nephew's life. His music brought everyone together -- it was almost ethereal.
Chris just rolled with it. I wish I could say as much for the Pastor at the Le Roy Lutheran Church. It was a huge funeral , with ALOT of motorcycles. We were not well organized. I would like to thank Chris for helping us send my brother on his last ride. Photos and video can be seen on Facebook , MEMORIES OF MARLON
We asked a lot of Chris. He was a very good sport. He had to show up at 5am, and then climb up a ski-hill in his kilt. The hill was snowy and muddy and he didn't complain once. I've never hired a bagpiper before, so had no idea what to expect. But all the men seemed to enjoy the experience. He even let one of them try his bagpipes!
Christopher was great! We would highly recommend him for any event. The whole town is still talking about how cool it was to have bagpipes at the wedding.
Price Range: $200-500
Gig Length: 30 - 90 minutes
Languages: English
for bagpipe performances I typically play 3-5 songs as requested/chosen by clergy, family, or booking person. (about 2/3 of my performances are special religious services such as funerals, dedications, commemorations, holidays, etc.)
longer sets, larger musical arrangements can be put together as circumstances demand (usually holiday performances in public places arranged as song medleys).
As an author or public speaker I am available for all manner of shenanigans or topics; message me with questions.
Christopher D. Schmitz is a speaker and minister of +15 years as well as an author of Christian fiction and nonfiction.
Contact for music/event/outreach booking or look him up on the internet to find out more about his writing and books.
Great Highland Bagpipes are LOUD. If your venue is an enclosed space you should be aware of this fact.
| March 25, 2023 • 1:30pm - 1:45pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| February 04, 2023 • 12:00pm - 12:15pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| November 10, 2022 • 9:30am - 9:45am | Corporate Event |
| April 02, 2022 • 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| January 29, 2022 • 12:00pm - 12:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| November 18, 2021 • 1:30pm - 2:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| November 11, 2021 • 11:30am - 11:45am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| September 03, 2021 • 6:00pm - 7:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| July 24, 2021 • 1:00pm - 2:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| June 26, 2021 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| March 17, 2021 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Christmas Party |
| October 02, 2020 • 12:00pm - 12:15pm | Personal Occasion |
| August 01, 2020 • 6:00pm - 6:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| June 06, 2020 • 4:30pm - 4:45pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| April 28, 2020 • 3:30pm - 4:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| February 01, 2020 • 12:00pm - 12:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| July 13, 2019 • 4:00pm - 4:45pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| June 22, 2019 • 12:00pm - 2:00pm | Reunion |
| June 03, 2019 • 2:30pm - 3:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| June 01, 2019 • 2:30pm - 2:45pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| February 02, 2019 • 1:00pm - 1:45pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| July 20, 2018 • 9:30am - 12:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| April 21, 2018 • 5:00am - 6:00am | Religious Celebration |
| March 17, 2018 • 2:00pm - 2:15pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| January 05, 2018 • 1:30pm - 1:45pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
I can do the usual songs (many in high demand include Amazing Grace, Danny Boy, Skye Boat Song, Going Home, Canticle of Turning/Star of the County Down, Gift of a Thistle [from Braveheart], Happy Birthday, Rowan Tree, Balmoral, and others.)
I can often learn a song I don't know with advance notice.
note, I play solo but do not play piobaireachd
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