Bagpipes are my purpose.
I've played since I was five years old and currently make my living as a full-time bagpiper.
I've played hundreds of events over the decades and would love to add yours to the list.
Whether it's a funeral, wedding, party, or anything in between, I can offer help with planning, tunes, or anything you need.
I'm here to help.
7 reviews
James O.
October 29, 2024I was fortunate enough to have Jake play the ceremony music at our wedding earlier this month in Varysburg. He was communicative throughout the whole planning process, accommodating whatever we asked and filling in the gaps whenever we didn't know what to ask. He was early and kind to everyone I saw him interact with. During the ceremony itself, his playing was perfect and always right on cue. After the ceremony, a good family friend who's played the pipes for as long as I could remember pulled me aside and couldn't get over how well Jake played, so you don't just have to take it from me! Wholeheartedly recommend.
Hired as: Bagpiper
Rochester Bagpiper
Cheers, Jim! It was my absolute honor and pleasure to play for you and your lovely bride. I wish you nothing but love and happiness. Slainte!
Matt S.
July 3, 2024Jake the piper was the best addition to a celebration of life. He was there right on time and played the perfect music choices. While there were tears flowing while he played, the joy we knew it would have been for my mother to know that he was playing for her was greater. He was professional and sounded great.
Hired as: Funeral Music
Rochester Bagpiper
Thank you, Matt. It was my honor and pleasure to play for you, your family, and your mother. I'm glad I could bring a little Polish Polka to the celebration for you. Be well.
Jenn C.
September 10, 2023Jake was outstanding! He walked up the driveway playing and surprised us all with an epic entrance. Jake continued to play numerous songs with such grace and prestige. He educated us on his training journey and mentors. Also about how the bagpipes are played! Very interesting. Jake played for my mother's farewell day in the backyard. He has an amazing gift folks! I would highly recommend Jake for any occasion. We all thankyou Jake.
Hired as: Celtic Music, Educational Entertainment, Funeral Music, One Man Band
Rochester Bagpiper
It was my absolute pleasure and privilege to honor your mother on her farewell day. Thank you so much for the kind words, Jenn! Your friends and family were one of my favorite audiences. :)
Laurie T.
July 11, 2023Tastefully done and appropriate for the circumstances.
Hired as: Funeral Music
Rochester Bagpiper
It was my honor to join you and your family, Laurie. Be well!
Dawn N.
May 25, 2023Jake is a professional who is responsive, easy to work with and more than willing to accommodate changes up to the last minute. He led the opening procession of the Hill of Fame Induction Ceremony for Jim Nantz at Oak Hill Country Club, playing three marches ( "Dornoch Highland Gathering", "Bruce Gandy's Farewell to the Iron Horse", and "Cameron MacFadyen.") on the bagpipes. His playing sounded beautiful and added the right amount of dignity to the ceremony. We can't thank him enough for participating in such a special event for our Club and Members. Also, his willingness to navigate the parking and crowds of the 2023 PGA Championship was appreciated. I would highly recommend hiring Jake for any event.
Hired as: Celtic Music, Irish / Scottish Entertainment, One Man Band
Rochester Bagpiper
Dawn, playing for you, Oak Hill, the PGA, Jim Nantz, and everyone in attendance was a tremendous honor and pleasure. It was one of the highlights of my piping career. Thank you for the memory and hospitality!
Price range: Starting at $300 an event
Languages: English
Gig length: 10 - 240 minutes
What Happens When You Hire Jake?
Planning Your Event
If you don’t have an idea in mind, I love creating unique ways to add bagpipes to events. Consultations are free, and I’m available to answer questions whenever you need me.
Music Selection
I have hundreds of tunes in my repertoire that can fit any occasion. Of course, the classics are available: “Amazing Grace,” “Scotland the Brave,” “Auld Lang Syne,” and even “Happy Birthday.”
Uniform/Dress
I will be dressed in full highland gear. If you want to coordinate outfits, I’d love to! Otherwise, I try to match my dress to the event. No white at weddings, black for funerals, etc.
Arrival
I arrive at your event at least half an hour before I’m supposed to perform. This allows me time to meet you, settle into the space, and, most importantly, tune and warm up the pipes!
At the Event
Don’t stress about the piper. I work with other event professionals - wedding planners, funeral directors, stage managers, etc. - to make sure you don’t worry about anything.
My parents knew something was off when I started carrying a fanny pack around the house. After some investigation, they discovered I was pretending it was a set of bagpipes. (It was the 90s, we still used fanny packs.)
They found me a teacher, and I’ve been a bagpiper since.
Bagpipes have taken me all over the United States, Canada, and Scotland. I was a founding member of the Feadan Or Pipe Band in Rochester before competing with the world championship-winning 78th Fraser Highlanders in Toronto, Canada.
I am always honored to share some of life’s most intimate moments with my clients. Be that joy, celebration, or even a few tears if Amazing Grace is being played.
I look forward to sharing those moments with you.
Slainte!
I have no requirements as far as equipment or space, except maybe a ceiling higher than 10 feet!
The bagpipes are completely acoustic and I require no electricity.
Bagpipes can be weather dependent. Though it is possible to play in rain, cold, or snow, I highly prefer not to as it is not good for the instrument.
Sunday
Wedding Ceremony
2:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Varysburg, NY
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
2:00pm - 2:45pm
•
Canandaigua, NY
Sunday
Funeral/Memorial Service
1:30pm - 2:30pm
•
Orchard Park, NY
Tuesday
Funeral/Memorial Service
11:30am - 12:00pm
•
Lancaster, NY
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
11:00am - 11:30am
•
Bloomfield, NY
Friday
Funeral/Memorial Service
9:30am - 11:30am
•
Getzville, NY
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
10:00pm - 10:30pm
•
Bradford, PA
Wednesday
Funeral/Memorial Service
11:00am - 11:15am
•
Canisteo, NY
Sunday
Fundraiser
12:00pm - 2:00pm
•
Newfane, NY
Tuesday
Funeral/Memorial Service
10:30am - 10:45am
•
Le Roy, NY
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
11:00am - 12:30pm
•
Rochester, NY
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
2:30pm - 3:30pm
•
Penfield, NY
Thursday
Funeral
10:00am - 1:00pm
Monday
Funeral/Memorial Service
12:00pm - 12:30pm
•
Hamlin, NY
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
5:00pm - 5:15pm
•
Geneseo, NY
Sample Repertoire
Standards/Popular
Amazing Grace
Scotland the Brave
Auld Lang Syne
Skye Boat Song
Happy Birthday
Marches/Traditional
Rowan Tree
Minstrel Boy
Bluebells of Scotland
Flett from Flotta
Bonnie Dundee
Green Hills of Tyrol
Battles O’er
Music of Spey
We’re no Awa to Bide Awa
Mairi’s Wedding
Cutting Bracken
At Long Last
The Paylor Brother’s Junkyard
The Gardens of Skye
The Battle of Waterloo
I See Mull
6/8 Marches
Bruce Gandy’s Farewell to the Iron Horse
Kenneth J. Macleod
Pipe Major Donald Maclean of Lewis
The Heights of Casino
Jigs
Cork Hill
Rocking the Baby
Drops of Brandy
Inspector Donald Campbell
Hornpipes
The Pumpkin’s Fancy
John Cairn’s Double
Dr. MacInness’s Fancy
Polkas
The Royal Scots Polka
The Black Watch Polka
None
Bagpiper
