Matthew Phelps

Top Performer

Pictou, NS

$200 – $1,000 per event

Travels up to 150 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

11 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Jill M. T.

Jill M. T.

August 24, 2026
Verified review

Matthew Phelps Played Bagpipes for my Dads graveside servic

Matthew did a beautiful job and set the tone for the graveside service . He was prompt and cordial and my family was very touched with his performance .

Hired as: Bagpiper


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Angela B.

Angela B.

August 19, 2026
Verified review

Welcome of Guests for Celebration of Life

Matt arrived a full half hour before his scheduled “paid” time, which allowed us time to physically take him through the “ceremonial” aspect of Dad’s Celebration of Life, before the arrival of guests.
He was completely open to whatever we envisioned his role to be and introduced the procession with the two Black Watch (RHR) of Canada marches, and led our family into the hall with “Scotland the Brave”.
His 45 minute gig prior to that, at the main entrance of the venue, welcomed guests from far and near!
Matt’s presence, professionalism and obvious extensive repertoire, provided another layer of detail to our lovely send-off for our Dad.
Matthew Phelps will definitely be our first choice of Piper at our next event! Thank you, Matt!

Hired as: Bagpiper


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Dianne H.

Dianne H.

August 18, 2026
Verified review

Wedding

He was fantastic! Would recommend. Great job, everyone loved him.

Hired as: Bagpiper


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

Write a review

Booking information

Price range: $200 – $1,000 per event

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

Past booked events

October 2026

24

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:00pm - 4:00pm

•

Halifax, NS

September 2026

14

Monday

Graduation

9:00am - 9:30am

•

Halifax, NS

August 2026

23

Sunday

Funeral/Memorial Service

10:00am - 12:00pm

•

Chester, NS

15

Saturday

Wedding Reception

4:00pm - 5:30pm

•

Truro, NS

10

Monday

Funeral/Memorial Service

1:00pm - 1:30pm

•

Halifax, NS

04

Tuesday

Funeral/Memorial Service

1:30pm - 2:30pm

•

Wentworth, NS

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

Check out these featured profiles

Featured

Wayne Coleman, Lord of Glencoe

4.72 (13)
35 Verified bookings

  • Stone Mountain, GA
  • Bagpiper
  • Contact for pricing

Diane T. said “Wayne Coleman, Lord of Glencoe was awesome. He arrived as strategically planned and put on an excellent show not only with his bagpipe but with his knowledge and humor. ”
Featured

J Daggett Bagpiping

5.0 (1)
4 Verified bookings

  • Yarmouth, ME
  • Bagpiper
  • Contact for pricing

Karen G. said “Highly recommend John’s playing. It brought many a tear to many eyes at my mothers service. ”
Featured

Steven MacDonald

5.0 (1)
1 Verified booking

  • Winter Garden, FL
  • Bagpiper
  • Contact for pricing

Kay L. said “Steven played his bagpipe for my husband's military funeral at the Jacksonville National Cemetery. He was so accommodating at a time that was very hard for me. He greeted people with his beautiful... ”
Featured

Bagpiper, Cindy LU

5.0 (3)
Top Performer
5 Verified bookings

  • Westville, NS
  • Bagpiper
  • Contact for pricing

Debbie H. said “Cindy did an excellent job at our corporate event. She played beautifully for our president. Everyone was impressed. ”