Tune Ideas & Piping Links

My repertoire includes many familiar Scottish and Irish tunes in all idioms. I also play hymns and even some popular songs. Let me know if you have a favorite. I’ll be glad to offer suggestions. I have music appropriate for weddings, funerals or memorial services and other occasions: St. Andrews Day, Robert Burn’s Birthday, St. Paddy’s Day, or your loved one’s birthday!

Bagpipes at a Wedding

There are a variety of ways to incorporate the pipes in a wedding. For example, often the pipes make a notable welcome as the guests arrive. You can incorporate them into the ceremony itself (typically the processional or recessional). Or have them provide music immediately after the service. Pipes are a fun way to lead guests from the ceremony to the reception area. Another option is piping during the cocktail hour.

For a bagpipe processional, here are a few options:

Piping for a Wedding at Neverland Ranch in North Georgia

  • Traditional Wedding March (Wagner)
  • Skye Boat Song (Outlander Theme)
  • Love Divine (Hyfrydol tune)
  • A Love Song for Deborah Anne (lovely 3/4 waltz signature)
  • Amazing Grace
  • Highland Wedding
  • Highland Cathedral
  • Mari’s Wedding
  • Ode to Joy

Piping Samples

Here are a couple recordings of me playing tunes from the above list. Here’s “Captain Rogers Welcomes Emily Rose”:

And here is Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Hyfrydol setting):

Bagpipe Tunes for Memorials and Gravesides

During and/or after the service, or at the graveside, typically the pipes play as the casket is carried from the hearse to graveside (often “Going Home,” “MacCrimmon Will Never Return” or Danny Boy) and again at the close of the ceremony (most often “Amazing Grace” or “Sleep Dearie Sleep”). 

Ask me about a piobaireachd (pibroch), a long “classical” lament.

Video of Robbie playing Amazing Grace at the Outer Circle Foundation golf tournament fundraiser.

Pipes for “Brigadoon”

If you are staging a production of the Broadway show Brigadoon and need a piper, give me a call. My start in Brigadoon was under the direction of James Jamieson, who had worked with and danced for Agnes DeMille on the original broadway production. As a result, I am familiar with the piping requirements, principally the funeral dance. I accompany the entrance of the body playing Lord Lovat’s Lament and proceed into The Funeral Dance. I can play as per the original score or an abbreviated version according to the choreography of your production.

Hymns

Certain Hymns play very well on the pipes. I have some two dozen in my repertoire in addition to Amazing Grace, for example: Abide with Me, the Doxology (Old Hundredth), Just as I am, and Alas and Did my Savior Bleed (Martyrdom tune).
Also Lord of the Dance (Simple Gifts), Will the Circle Be Unbroken and I’ll Fly Away. 

Slow and Quick Marches, Strathpeys, Reels, Jigs, Hornpipes, Slow Airs

Of course I have a wide repertoire of traditional Scottish and Irish tunes in all the idioms from airs to marches to dance tunes, as well as piobaireachd.

Ask about your favorite tune or special request. Or leave the program to me.

Piping Links of Interest

Below are several links to piping-related sites that may be of interest.

Contact Rob:

404 434 7998 or robt.g.rogers@gmail.com