Matthew Phelps

Top Performer

Halifax, NS

$200-$1000

Travels up to 100 miles

Get a free quick quote

Overview

Matthew Phelps has been playing the bagpipes for 32 years, and in 1999 was promoted to Open or Professional piping status by the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association. This is the highest level of competitive bagpipe playing.
Phelps has played at weddings, funerals, birthday parties, anniversaries, ship launchings, political campaign marches, concert hall and stage performances, at the Basel Tattoo in Switzerland, and at many international pipe band competitions throughout North America, the UK, and Northern Ireland. Past performances also include playing with the Boston Pops at Symphony Hall, at a berry picking Festival in Kuujjuarapik, Nunavik, and at a wedding in Panama.


Reviews

8 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Anne N.

Anne N.

May 20, 2026
Verified review

Mathew had us all in tears.

Mathew had us all in tears. He was great.

Hired as: Bagpiper


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Gilbert R.

Gilbert R.

May 8, 2026
Verified review

Exceptional Piper

It was a pleasure having Matthew perform at my mother-in-law's funeral. He was kind, compassionate, and very accommodating. He is an excellent piper. Highly recommended!

Hired as: Bagpiper


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Melissa M.

Melissa M.

November 27, 2023
Verified review

Graduation Processional

Both Gig Salad and the piper we booked (Matthew) were a pleasure to deal with. The booking and event ran smoothly.

Hired as: Bagpiper


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Cindy B.

Cindy B.

October 12, 2023
Verified review

Wonderful job!!

Matthew gave a wonderful performance and tried to meet my every request --including playing my requested songs (hearing Happy birthday on the bagpipes brought tears to my mother's eyes), and wearing full regalia (kilt, hat, swords and all!) while serenading outside the seniors' home. He was very friendly, polite and sweet. When he sat and ate birthday cake with my 85 yr old mother, she kept whispering how charming he is!

Hired as: Bagpiper


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Julie M.

Julie M.

December 11, 2016
Verified review

Excellent

Matt did a great job. It was cold and windy but he managed to have composure and he sounded great.

Hired as: Bagpiper

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Booking information

Price range: $200-$1000

Languages: English

Gig length: 15 - 120 minutes

What to expect

Clients can expect professionalism and flexibility. If guidance is what you're looking for, I'm happy to provide it. If you have an idea in mind I'll do everything I can to make it happen.

About

Matthew Phelps began piping at the age of eight. He later attended the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. There he studied under Ed Neigh, Bob Worrall, Bruce Gandy, John Walsh, Fred Morrison, and R. S. Macdonald among other influential pipers of our time.

Matthew attended Saint Andrews Presbyterian College on scholarship for piping and graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree.

2015 brought performances with the Boston Pops and Carlos Nunez at Symphony Hall, also in Boston. Phelps played in Canada for the North American Champio

Matthew has performed throughout the Eastern United States and Canada as well as in Switzerland, Panama, Italy, Ireland and Scotland. Canada and Scotland. Phelps has played with the Trumbull and District Pipe Band of Connecticut, The Gaelic College Pipe Band of Nova Scotia, the Saint Andrews College Pipe Band of North Carolina, the Tulach Ard Pipe Band of Massachusetts, and the Halifax Regional Police Pipes & Drums of Nova Scotia. He was also a member of the Pipes & Drums of the 78th Highlanders when he worked as a re-enactor at the Citadel National Historic Site in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Additional booking notes

Visit (link hidden) to hear sound samples and to read from other clients' testimonials.

Services offered

Upcoming booked events

August 2026

15

Saturday

Wedding Reception

4:00pm - 5:30pm

Truro, NS

October 2026

24

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:00pm - 4:00pm

Halifax, NS

Past booked events

May 2026

19

Tuesday

Birthday Party

5:30pm - 5:45pm

Chester, NS

April 2026

17

Friday

Funeral/Memorial Service

10:00am - 11:00am

Halifax, NS

August 2025

29

Friday

Grand Opening

8:00am - 8:15am

Elmsdale, NS

23

Saturday

Surprise

4:00pm - 4:15pm

Dartmouth, NS

October 2024

16

Wednesday

Funeral/Memorial Service

2:30pm - 3:00pm

Fall River, NS

November 2023

24

Friday

Graduation

12:00pm - 12:15pm

Halifax, NS

October 2023

11

Wednesday

Birthday Party

2:00pm - 2:15pm

Hantsport, NS

May 2017

27

Saturday

Funeral/Memorial Service

1:00pm - 4:00pm

Storrs Mansfield, CT

March 2017

18

Saturday

Cultural Event

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Boston, MA

17

Friday

School Assembly

1:30pm - 1:45pm

Brookline, MA

December 2016

09

Friday

Funeral/Memorial Service

9:30am - 11:00am

Weymouth, MA

October 2016

15

Saturday

Wedding Cocktail Hour

4:00pm - 5:00pm

Rumford, RI

August 2016

06

Saturday

Funeral/Memorial Service

9:30am - 12:00pm

North Adams, MA

June 2016

04

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

4:00pm - 5:00pm

Hudson, NH

March 2016

07

Monday

Birthday (Adult)

2:30pm - 3:00pm

Cambridge, MA

September 2015

18

Friday

Funeral/Memorial Service

11:00am - 3:00pm

Bedford, NH

August 2015

29

Saturday

Funeral/Memorial Service

7:30pm - 10:30pm

Newport, RI

July 2015

24

Friday

Funeral/Memorial Service

10:00am - 12:30pm

Norfolk, MA

03

Friday

Birthday (Adult)

9:00am - 9:15am

Eastham, MA

May 2015

09

Saturday

Funeral/Memorial Service

1:00pm - 4:00pm

Manchester, NH

June 2014

28

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

4:00pm - 4:30pm

West Warren, MA

May 2014

11

Sunday

Funeral Service

11:00am - 11:45am

Wilton, NH

January 2014

12

Sunday

Birthday Party

11:00am - 2:30pm

Manchester, NH

August 2013

24

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

5:30pm - 6:00pm

Amherst, MA

Set list

I play most traditional tunes that people know and if I don't I can learn them with little notice.

Setup requirements

n/a

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