- Buffalo Grove, IL
- Violinist
- $100-700
Michael H. said
“Our violinist did an excellent job providing a perfect blend of romantic music for the background of our wedding and Oceans by Hillsong United for my wife’s walk down song. ”
Joe Sommers, Bagpiper
Overview
Experienced professional bagpiper for all events. 100% 5 start rating on.
Reviews
16 reviews
Ann M. H.
June 17, 2026Joe came to our VBS and was awesome!
Awesome!
Hired as: Bagpiper
Mary W.
May 16, 2026Respectful and Professional
Joe was present ahead of time to introduce himself to the family and played three beautiful Irish/Scottish ballads. One more than we planned. He was professional and respectful.
Hired as: Bagpiper
Hilary H.
December 19, 2025Awesome bagpiper!
Joe was wonderful! His bagpipe playing added so much to our wedding day. Joe was also very easy to work with, which we appreciated!
Hired as: Bagpiper
John H.
July 21, 2025Joe was great.
I would recommend Joe for any event. He was fantastic and very personable especially during a hot and very humid day.
Hired as: Bagpiper
Ronda K.
September 24, 2024Perfect for the Occassion
We hired Joe for my father's celebration of life and we could not have been more pleased. Communication was great and everyone loved the experience. We would highly recommend and should there be a need in the future I would not hesitate to book with him again!
Hired as: Bagpiper
Booking information
Price range: $250 - $350
About
My name is Joe Sommers, and I am a bagpiper.
I learned to play the pipes as a child, with the Kilties in Stevens Point in the 60s. When I came to Milwaukee for work in the 80s I honed my skills by playing for the Milwaukee & District and Billy Mitchell bands for over a dozen years. These were years of playing as a group in parades, shows, and competitions. I enjoyed the challenge of competition both solo and as a band. My love is to play solo. I have played in the wilderness of the Minnesota Quetico, at fly-ins in Canada, for Scouting events, around State Parks at dusk, in Scotland (including the Glencoe Mountains, often considered one of the most spectacular and beautiful places in Scotland, just above Clachaig Inn), and at many family gatherings. I play because I enjoy it, and because people love to hear me play. My pipes are strong and clear, with an even tone, and evoke strong emotions in those who hear them. Pipes make a happy event like a wedding even more joyful and an event like a funeral all the more dignified and honorable.
Although I normally play in the greater Milwaukee and Chicago areas, I have also traveled to Ohio, Iowa, northern Wisconsin, and Minnesota for professional events.
Services offered
Past booked events
July 2026
06
Monday
Funeral/Memorial Service
10:00am - 10:45am
•
Elm Grove, WI
June 2026
15
Monday
Religious Celebration
10:30am - 11:00am
•
Hartland, WI
03
Wednesday
Funeral/Memorial Service
12:00pm - 12:30pm
•
Lake Geneva, WI
May 2026
16
Saturday
Graduation
9:00am - 2:00pm
•
Milwaukee, WI
April 2026
25
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
11:00am - 11:30am
•
Franklin, WI
December 2025
13
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Milwaukee, WI
October 2025
18
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
12:00pm - 12:15pm
•
Waterford, WI
July 2025
19
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:30pm - 4:15pm
•
Williams Bay, WI
October 2024
05
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
4:30pm - 5:00pm
•
Hubertus, WI
September 2024
21
Saturday
Personal Occasion
5:00pm - 6:30pm
•
Port Washington, WI
14
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
11:30pm - 11:45pm
•
Stoughton, WI
June 2024
15
Saturday
Wedding Reception
6:00pm - 6:30pm
•
Milwaukee, WI
March 2024
30
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
11:30am - 12:00pm
•
Milwaukee, WI
16
Saturday
Fundraiser
7:00pm - 7:15pm
•
Milwaukee, WI
December 2023
02
Saturday
Birthday Party
5:00pm - 5:15pm
•
Pewaukee, WI
November 2023
11
Saturday
Personal Occasion
11:00am - 11:30am
•
Beloit, WI
October 2023
07
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Watertown, WI
September 2023
30
Saturday
Wedding Reception
5:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Milwaukee, WI
16
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
1:00pm - 1:15pm
•
Brookfield, WI
July 2023
01
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
1:30pm - 3:00pm
•
Bristol, WI
June 2023
08
Thursday
Funeral/Memorial Service
7:30pm - 8:00pm
•
New Berlin, WI
March 2023
18
Saturday
Personal Occasion
11:30am - 1:30pm
•
Sussex, WI
December 2022
16
Friday
Birthday Party
3:00pm - 3:15pm
•
Pewaukee, WI
September 2022
17
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
2:30pm - 3:00pm
•
Milwaukee, WI
July 2022
16
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:00pm - 3:15pm
•
West Bend, WI
May 2022
20
Friday
Personal Occasion
9:00pm - 9:30pm
•
Oostburg, WI
June 2021
12
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
2:00pm - 2:30pm
•
Hartland, WI
January 2021
16
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
1:30pm - 2:30pm
•
Milwaukee, WI
June 2020
20
Saturday
Wedding Reception
6:00pm - 6:15pm
•
Milwaukee, WI
October 2019
12
Saturday
Parade
9:30am - 11:00am
•
Mayville, WI
August 2019
07
Wednesday
Corporate Event
10:00am - 11:30am
•
Merton, WI
July 2019
06
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
2:00pm - 2:45pm
•
Beloit, WI
March 2019
16
Saturday
Holiday Party
12:00pm - 1:00pm
•
Menomonee Falls, WI
July 2015
04
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
2:00pm - 2:45pm
•
Delafield, WI
Set list
Here are some tunes I especially like:
Amazing Grace
Atholl and Breadalbane Gathering
Balmoral
Caubeen Trimmed with Blue
Cock O' The North
Flower of Scotland
Highland Cathedral
Highland Laddie
Mairi's Wedding
Scotland the Brave
Taps
The Billy Mitchell Scottish
Wadi Akarit
Wearing of the Green
When the Battle's Over
Wings
Report Joe Sommers, Bagpiper
Bagpiper
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