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Overview
John has been a professional bagpiper for 36 years and has played 100s of services. He has won numerous prizes for solo and band competitions throughout his career. Over the past few years John has played in several competitive pipe bands including Portland Metro Pipe Band and Grade 2 Cameron Highlanders Pipe Band.
A typical Funeral Service:
I'll play as guests arrive to the graveside or cemetery. Bagpipes tunes are quite short so rather than play one piece I’ll play an assortment of tunes as guests are seated. Then during the service I often play Amazing Grace after the eulogy or after military honors have been performed. I'll then close the ceremony with Flowers of the Forest.
11 Reviews
John was early to my Dad's military ceremony at Willamette National Cemetary. He played a beautiful trio of songs during the ceremony, all of which my father loved. He was very pleasant and endured a very cold November wind on that otherwise clear day. Many kind regards from our family for creating such a memorable moment in time, as we said a last farewell to my nearly 98 year-old WWII bombardier, marching at his side to "Scotland the Brave".
Bagpiper
Bagpiper
John provided music for a memorial gathering. He was kind, responsive and gave a beautiful performance.
Bagpiper
My wife and I had John perform at our wedding and he was early, ready to perform and fully decked out in the correct garb. His music instantly made everyone in both parties emotional. Was a great investment, and made the whole experience unique and memorable.
Bagpiper
Response from Cascadia Piper:
Thank you for the kind words. You and your family were great! Such a beautiful and loving ceremony. Hopefully now that you’ve gotten a taste for Oregon we’ll see more of your new family up here.
John was a wonderful addition to our Covid funeral. With so many necessary restrictions in place--ten people around the grave and a lone piper in the distance--we felt like the service couldn't have been better. Many thanks
Bagpiper
Thanks for making our son’s Memorial Service special!
Bagpiper
Response from Cascadia Piper:
It was my honor to take part in such a special event. It was a deeply moving and beautiful service. My deepest condolences go out to you and your loved family.
Booked Cascadia Piper for our celebration and couldn't have been happier. John is a great musician and fun to be around. Would definitely hire him again!!!!
Bagpiper
John case to play for my father-in-law's memorial and I had no idea what to expect or how a bagpiper is used in a service. John quickly came up with lots of options and essentially just ran with it. I had a million things on my plate and one this that I didn't have to worry about was the bagpiper! John gave me recommendations - since I really don't have much knowledge of bagpipe music at all- and it worked perfectly. I received dozens of comments from guests of how great John sounded and how great John was with guests. He was professional, agreeable and FAR from stodgy. His talent really made a difference to our memorial service and I would HIGHLY recommend John for anyone looking for a very easy going, professional musician. Thanks John and Thanks Cascadia Piper!
Bagpiper
I hired Mr. Goff to play my sisters wedding as a gift to her and her new husband. The wedding went off with out a hitch and Mr. Goff's piping selection fit the day perfectly.
Bagpiper
Wonderful experience with Cascadia Piper for our memorial service event. Thank you!
Bagpiper
Response from Cascadia Piper:
Thank you for your kind words. It was such a touching service.
Cascadia Piper performed at our 4th Burns Supper and it was awesome! He piped in the guests, led the procession of the haggis, and even hung around to enjoy the rest of the party. Cascadia Piper was not only a great piper but on time, courteous, and willing to go above and beyond what we hired him to do. I would highly encourage you to book Cascadia Piper for your event. Our guests were all very impressed! Thanks!
Bagpiper
Booking Info
What to Expect
I show up to an event at least 15 minutes beforehand, usually 30 to get confirmation of any changes that might've occurred and meet the organizers and possibly the client if need be. I'll stand where appropriate, front and center if it's appropriate or off in the distance if that is more suitable. As guests start to arrive I'll be playing traditional tunes that fit the occasion (more upbeat rousing tunes for a wedding or softer more reflective tunes if the service is honoring a loved one.) As people start to take their seats I'll be on the alert for an event planner to nod their head for me to stop. I'll slowly walk almost out of sight where I can view the event proceedings. At a designated time during the service I'll come back to where I was previously playing and perform for the crowd. The tune would be something important to the clients. Something the deceased loved or a tune or set of tunes that the wedding couple find dear to them (Scotland the Brave, Danny Boy, Amazing Grace, etc.) I would then recede from view and get ready to close the ceremony. When the closing remarks are being said I would slowly take my place again in full view of the audience. The officiant might call out for me to play or I'll be listening to the end unfold. At the conclusion of the speaker I'll perform another designated tune as the crowd watches, I then might slowly walk off as I'm playing the tune repeatedly off in the distance.
About
A bagpiper since 1984, John Goff has performed at hundreds of weddings, funerals, celebrations and parties. As a competitive bagpiper, John has won numerous band and solo competitions. He is a recording artist inside and outside of the bagpiping world and has worked with countless artists such as Moby, The Crystal Method, and The Noise Project.
John lives and works in Portland, Oregon.
Services Offered
Past Booked Events
| November 16, 2022 • 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| July 17, 2022 • 2:00pm - 2:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| May 28, 2022 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| March 12, 2022 • 3:00pm - 3:15pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| February 09, 2022 • 11:00am - 11:30am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| January 22, 2022 • 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| October 23, 2021 • 12:00pm - 12:15pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| October 11, 2021 • 4:00pm - 6:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| December 07, 2020 • 1:00pm - 1:15pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| April 19, 2020 • 2:00pm - 2:15pm | Religious Celebration |
| January 11, 2020 • 11:00am - 11:15am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| April 20, 2019 • 1:00pm - 1:15pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |