Frequently Asked Questions
What is your experience as a bagpiper?
In the last 25 years I’ve played with four bagpipe bands — two of which won the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland — held positions as both Pipe Major and Pipe Sergeant, and have taught bagpipes to a half dozen students. Outside of competitions, I’ve played professionally for events for nearly the same amount of time — playing for a range of events ranging from small, private functions to concert halls and executive summits with hundreds in attendance.
What types of events do you perform at?
The most commonly requested events are weddings and memorials, but I have performed for an extensive list of other events such as parades, concerts, birthdays, Burns Suppers, golf tournaments, charity and fundraiser events, football games, professional summits and retreats, and more.
What is your fee, and what does it include?
Fees are determined on an event-by-event basis based on the particular needs of the performance. I typically provide an all-inclusive price that covers any necessary travel, any rehearsal time, if there are multiple performers (pipers and/or drummers), etc. I also offer a complimentary phone consultation to gather all the details and cover any immediate questions.
What tunes can you play?
As weddings and memorials are the most common events, tunes like “Amazing Grace” and “Scotland the Brave” are two of the most-requested tunes and certainly part of my repertoire. Over the years I’ve developed quite an extensive tune list (many more than can be easily listed), but I do take custom requests and have also been able to transpose music to the bagpipes.
What do you wear during performances?
I always perform in head-to-toe traditional Highland dress (e.g., glengarry, kilt, sporran, grille brogues, etc.) and have several different tartan kilts including Campbell of Argyll, Ancient Douglas Red, Douglas Modern Blue, and Stewart). Depending on the weather, whether the venue is indoors or outdoors, or the formality of the occasion I may or may not wear a jacket — and if the forecast calls for rain I will likely have an Inverness Cape on hand.
Can you attend the rehearsal?
Schedule permitting I may be able to attend additional dress rehearsals before the performance. For rehearsals I bring my bagpipes, but will usually skip the full uniform unless specifically requested. Rehearsals are treated as separate events and typically incur an additional fee for the time and travel.
How long is a typical performance?
While each performance is unique, I would say that most events last between 30-45 minutes with the bagpipe performance usually taking place at the beginning and end of the ceremony or service. Most often the bagpipe music is there to greet guests as they arrive and signal the close of the event. Depending on how the bagpipes are used, the performance time is usually between 10-30 minutes. With each tune averaging 2 minutes, this comes out to 5-15 tunes in total.
Do you provide your own equipment?
Yes, I supply all of my own equipment which suffices for almost all engagements. Even in large venues the bagpipes produce a sound that rarely requires amplification. In those rare situations — such as performing with other amplified instruments, I would work with the sound engineer to ensure the proper setup.
Are you available on my event date and location?
I keep an active calendar of engagements throughout the year (especially during the spring to fall months) and typically book events anywhere from 1-6 months out (sometimes longer for larger or more complex events like weddings). Please send an email to bookings@piperjonas.com with your planned date and time and I will be happy to confirm with you.
Can you play indoors and outdoors?
Yes! I have played in a variety of indoor and outdoor venues — from crowded pubs on St. Patrick's Day to open air burials at sea. The biggest consideration for indoor venues is typically the length of the performance as extended playing at the elevated decibels can be bothersome for sensitive ears (15 minutes is typically a comfortable target). When playing outdoors, the primary consideration involve the weather and its impact on the tuning of the pipes as they are relatively sensitive instruments. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, cold air, humidity, and rain can all affect the tuning and acoustics of the pipes.
Do you offer solo performances or play with others?
Most clients request a solo bagpiper, but I do have a network of other pipers and drummers I can call upon for duos, trios, and “mini bands”. With several years of experience performing together — we do have a shared repertoire of tunes we can play including harmonies.
What is your cancellation or refund policy?
I understand sometimes plans fall through and an event has to be postponed or canceled. If the event is delayed and is rescheduled — I can either provide my availability in advance or check my schedule against the new date. In those situations where a rescheduled event conflicts with other prior engagements, I will typically work to arrange to have one of my bagpiper colleagues play in my stead and handle the hand-off of both logistics and payment so it is a seamless process. If the event is completely canceled I typically offer a full refund unless a non-refundable deposit has been paid in advance.
Can you provide references or recordings?
Yes! In addition to the client testimonials I’ve collected over the years I can also provide video samples of my playing to give you a better sense of what to expect.
How far in advance do I need to book you?
I typically book new events anywhere from a couple weeks up to a year in advance (depending on the event). For popular holidays like Burns Night or St. Patricks Day I typically book up 2 months in advance. Other peak seasons like summer for weddings are also usually busy, so it’s advised to secure the date early.
Do you take special requests or customize performances?
Yes, if you have a special request or a vision for how you’d like to incorporate the bagpipes into your event, I am happy to hear your thoughts and see how we can make it happen. Contact me at bookings@piperjonas.com to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Are you a member of any piping associations?
Yes! I am a member of the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association (EUSPBA) and the Scottish Society of Middle Tennessee. Previously I was a member of and served as President for the Western United States Pipe Band Association (WUSPBA).