Jim McGilvery Bagpipes Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA

$175.00 - $500.00

Travels up to 120 miles

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Highland Cathedral wedding processional

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Wedding at Ss Peter & Paul Cathedral

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Piping out the bride...

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Leading the procession in front of Independence Hall

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Bryn Mawr Convocation

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Claddagh Fund Volunteer

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Private Party

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Convention for Mango Languages

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Police Recognition Night

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St. Patrick's Weekend in Wilmington, DE

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Overview

Great Highland Bagpipe services for the PA, NJ, DE & MD areas. Playing for beginnings, ends and life's every day celebrations in between. Jim has played weddings, funerals, birthday parties, golf outings, conventions, private & public St. Patrick's Day celebrations, participated in countless parades and pipe band competitions with the Philadelphia Emerald Society Pipe Band, busked from Bourbon Street to South Street and has been booked by (and wandered into) a couple of pubs here and there.


Reviews

19 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Monique R.

Monique R.

May 26, 2026
Verified review

Relay For Life of Bucks County

He was very impactful during our luminaria ceremony!

Hired as: Bagpiper


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Francis X. O.

Francis X. O.

October 14, 2024
Verified review

Excellent

Jim was excellent. Provided family and friends with a great variety of tunes.

Hired as: Bagpiper

Small thumbnail image for Jim McGilvery Bagpipes Philadelphia

Jim McGilvery Bagpipes Philadelphia

Thank you Francis! What a beautiful day!


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Paul B.

Paul B.

October 4, 2024
Verified review

Great!

Great!

Hired as: Bagpiper


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Kyle K.

Kyle K.

May 8, 2023
Verified review

5 Star!!!

Jim, was awesome. He played incredibly and very nice/personable guy! We had a small Irish wake for our dog. I know it sounds ridiculous, but Jim brought the perfect mix of professionalism and fun. Will absolutely be using him again in the future!

Hired as: Bagpiper


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Cynthia F.

Cynthia F.

October 31, 2022
Verified review

Well done!

Jim was punctual and very professional. Music was excellent. Very moving service!!

Hired as: Bagpiper

Small thumbnail image for Jim McGilvery Bagpipes Philadelphia

Jim McGilvery Bagpipes Philadelphia

Thank you so much! What a nice community! Happy it worked out! Be well!!

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Booking information

Price range: $175.00 - $500.00

Languages: English

Gig length: 10 - 90 minutes

What to expect

A courteous and caring musician who takes his music very seriously. Somebody who will listen to your needs and will consult on uses of a piper if needed. Somebody who will provide the soundtrack to your most important moments. On time, every time in Scottish or Irish attire.

About

Jim McGilvery is among the hardest working pipers in the Philadelphia region. Jim has studied under some of the finest pipers around. The highlight of Jim's piping career to date has been performing along side the Philadelphia Emerald Society Pipe Band with the legendary Chieftains on stage at the Kimmel Center in downtown Philadelphia, PA. Jim performs for "Beginnings, ends and life's everyday celebrations in between". He is a 5-star reviewed soloist who also performs with multiple pipers/drummers upon request. Specializing in weddings, funerals and bar appearances as well as all kinds of private and corporate events, Jim will bring his fun and entertaining style of piping with traditional Irish or Scottish attire to your event!

Additional booking notes

No requirements needed on your end unless a venue has rules about pipers on premises, i.e., a church may not allow a piper inside or if they do, you might need to coordinate with the organist prior.

Services offered

Past booked events

June 2026

06

Saturday

Funeral/Memorial Service

11:30am - 12:30pm

Philadelphia, PA

May 2026

16

Saturday

Nonprofit Event

8:00pm - 8:45pm

Bristol, PA

March 2026

28

Saturday

Funeral/Memorial Service

12:00pm - 1:30pm

Bethlehem, PA

October 2024

12

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:00pm - 5:00pm

Villanova, PA

05

Saturday

Wedding Reception

12:00pm - 3:00pm

Havre De Grace, MD

02

Wednesday

Retirement Party

6:00pm - 6:30pm

Lafayette Hill, PA

May 2023

06

Saturday

House Party

3:00pm - 3:15pm

Philadelphia, PA

October 2022

30

Sunday

Religious Celebration

9:30am - 10:30am

Pottstown, PA

January 2022

19

Wednesday

Funeral/Memorial Service

12:00pm - 12:30pm

Cheltenham, PA

March 2021

20

Saturday

Birthday Party

6:30pm - 6:45pm

Reading, PA

13

Saturday

Product Promotion

12:00pm - 1:00pm

Philadelphia, PA

August 2020

01

Saturday

Birthday Party

6:00pm - 6:30pm

Ridley Park, PA

01

Saturday

Funeral/Memorial Service

10:00am - 10:45am

Ridley Park, PA

May 2020

23

Saturday

Birthday Party

5:00pm - 5:15pm

Bear, DE

14

Thursday

Funeral/Memorial Service

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Bryn Mawr, PA

January 2019

27

Sunday

Birthday Party

4:00pm - 4:15pm

Phoenixville, PA

November 2018

21

Wednesday

Funeral/Memorial Service

11:00am - 11:15am

Philadelphia, PA

October 2018

06

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:30pm - 4:30pm

Ewing, NJ

June 2018

02

Saturday

Funeral/Memorial Service

11:00am - 12:00pm

Media, PA

March 2018

17

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:00pm - 3:15pm

Moorestown, NJ

February 2018

28

Wednesday

Funeral/Memorial Service

12:00pm - 12:15pm

Wrightstown, NJ

10

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

4:30pm - 5:15pm

Collingswood, NJ

October 2017

30

Monday

Funeral/Memorial Service

10:30am - 10:45am

Philadelphia, PA

June 2017

23

Friday

Birthday (Adult)

6:00pm - 6:30pm

Blue Bell, PA

March 2017

18

Saturday

Personal Occasion

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Levittown, PA

February 2017

18

Saturday

Wedding Reception

6:30pm - 7:30pm

Vineland, NJ

December 2016

11

Sunday

Wedding Reception

4:30pm - 5:00pm

Collegeville, PA

October 2016

22

Saturday

Birthday (Adult)

10:30am - 10:45am

Cinnaminson, NJ

June 2016

18

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

2:30pm - 3:00pm

Villanova, PA

14

Tuesday

Sporting Event

8:00am - 12:00pm

Merchantville, NJ

May 2016

26

Thursday

Funeral/Memorial Service

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Penndel, PA

17

Tuesday

Funeral/Memorial Service

12:00pm - 12:30pm

Bethlehem, PA

January 2016

02

Saturday

Villanova Chapel

7:00pm - 8:00pm

Set list

Set lists are customized but a sampling of some often played tunes include:
Amazing Grace
Happy Birthday
Scotland the Brave
Highland Cathedral
Danny Boy
Nearer My God to Thee
Going Home
My Home
Fields of Athenry
Marie's Wedding
St. Patrick's Day
Gary Owen
Flower of Scotland
Irish Washerwoman

Setup requirements

No equipment needed

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