Jim McGilvery Bagpipes Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA

$175 – $500 per event

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

22 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer John D.

John D.

September 6, 2026
Verified review

Outstanding!

Outstanding individual, outstanding presentation and approach to our event, and outstanding music! My family throughly enjoyed Jim’s music and sharing in our special family union and birthday celebration.
Well done Jim and thank you so much sir.
My family and all those in the paused for just a few minutes to listen to the sound of the pipes in the air…so beautiful!
Respectfully,
John & Wendy

Hired as: Bagpiper


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Deb P.

Deb P.

July 5, 2026
Verified review

Fabulous!! He helped create the proper atmosphere for the ev

Jim was the Bag Piper at the Pottstown Fourth of July Parade, marching one-mile down High Street in the heat and humidity like we’ve never seen before.
(And coincidentally, it fit right in with the FIFA celebrations going on now. No Scotland, no fun! )

Hired as: Bagpiper


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Wl B.

Wl B.

June 27, 2026
Verified review

Absolutely Wonderful

Jim played the bagpipes for a family burial service. His professionalism and music were everything we hoped for. I can't express how much this meant to me.

Hired as: Bagpiper


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!

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Booking information

Price range: $175 – $500 per event

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

September 2026

13

Sunday

Nonprofit Event

7:30am - 9:00am

•

Landisville, PA

05

Saturday

Surprise

1:00pm - 1:15pm

•

Tobyhanna, PA

July 2026

04

Saturday

Parade

9:30am - 11:30am

•

Pottstown, PA

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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