Oregon Piper : Services

Sep 09

Parties

Do you have a parent or loved one who absolutely loves the bagpipe? Having a party? If so, a skilled bagpiper is a great source of entertainment. Here are some examples of things I’ve done at parties in the past:

1. Surprise parties: Believe it or not, it is possible to sneak a man around in a kilt and not be noticed! Usually I’ll meet the contact person at a meeting spot slightly away from the party, follow them to a hiding spot, and wait for my cue to play. The look on the person’s face is always worth it.
2. Scottish/Irish Celebrations: Nothing screams “Kiss me I’m Irish” like a wailing bagpipe. A party with a bagpiper is guaranteed never to become dull. Fast-paced tunes such as Reels, Jigs, and Hornpipes are excellent choices for astonishing listeners.

   Sometimes people become so motivated by the bagpipe they request to try to play it themselves. This is fairly common and perfectly fine with me. I can give a quick 30 second lesson and have you or the kids on your way to turning blue and passing out in no time!

3. Piping in the Haggis: Having a Robert Burns dinner event, or simply a formal event with haggis? Stick with tradition and have that delicious morsel piped in! Researchers say that having a haggis piped in has actually been found to increase the flavor of the haggis itself…

Please refer to the Jigs and Hornpipes sections for more tune ideas.

Feel free to choreograph your event exactly the way you want it - I’m willing to be flexible! To ask a question or check availability on a certain date, get in touch with Mark.

Special Events

The uplifting flare of the bagpipe can be the perfect way to begin an event with a bang.  Depending on the nature of the event, there are a few spots a bagpiper could potentially play.

1. Initiate the event: Bagpipes are a great attention-getter.  Some people love them, some people loath them; either way it’s guaranteed to capture everyone’s attention.  Playing a popular march, such as Scotland the Brave, will set the mood for the rest of the event, and is a perfect hand off to the first speaker.
2. Special music/Interlude: Audience starting to fall asleep?  Looking to keep the event interesting?  A few tunes in the middle of an event will revive even the weariest of audiences (after all, it is an instrument of war).  Popular Tunes or Upbeat Marches are perfect for this moment.
3. Close the event: Put a memorable capstone on the event the audience won’t be able to forget.  A lively tune such as an Upbeat March or Reel, are sure suggestions.

Some local cities and locations I’ve performed events in include:

• Portland: Kells Irish pub, Paddy’s Bar and Grill, Buffalo Wild Wings, McFaddens, OHSU, The Memorial Coliseum.
• Gresham: Sam Barlow HS, Gresham HS, Mt. Hood Community College.
• Fairview: McMenamins Edgefield.
• Welches: The Resort at the Mountain.
• Corvallis: Linn Benton Community College.
• Hillsboro: Nike World USA
• Eugene: Cornucopia, Diablos Bar and Grill, Oak St. Speakeasy, University of Oregon
• Seaside
• Manzanita

Please refer to the Popular Tunes and Upbeat Marches sections for more tune ideas.

Feel free to choreograph your event exactly the way you want it - I’m willing to be flexible!  To ask a question or check availability on a certain date, get in touch with Mark.