Sound Samples

This page contains a few examples of my piping, with some suggestions for different events or occasions. I have separated these tunes into three general categories:  Festive, Memorial, and Competition, but many tunes can be used in lots of different situations.  Normally the tunes played at an event are determined beforehand, although sometimes the client leaves it up to me.  I'm willing to do whatever works best for you.



In the Festive category we have:

Scotland the Brave (436K) -- one of the best-known pipe tunes, this one is often used as a recessional at weddings, but it lends itself well to nearly any situation.

Mairi's Wedding (660K) -- a traditional wedding song, this one is also used as a wedding recessional.

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (392K) -- a hymn I took from the Episcopal Hymnal, based on Beethoven's Ode to Joy.  I sometimes play this one at weddings, either as a processional or as a recessional.

March of the Kings of Laois (634K) -- a traditional slow march which is becoming increasingly popular as a processional in Celtic weddings.
The Highland Cathedral (634K) -- a slow air which works very nicely as a processional tune.
Itchy Fingers (700K) -- a nice little reel that's great for parties and wedding receptions.

Calum Campbell's Caprice (1.2MB) -- another dance tune -- this one is my favorite hornpipe.

The Highland Wedding (1.3MB) -- possibly my all-time favorite pipe tune.  This is a big 2/4 march that's very good in any festive setting.

Irish Marches (1.7MB) -- here's a set of traditional Irish tunes.  They are:  Let Erin Remember, The Wearin' O the Green, and The Minstrel Boy.

In the Memorial category:

Skye Boat Song (1.4MB) -- this is an old tune which works well at memorials, but I've also used it as a wedding processional, or just as a slow air when one was called for.

The Flowers of the Forest (3.3MB) -- this is the traditional Scottish military funeral march, and it's only used at memorial services and funerals.  It's considered by some to be the single most beautiful piece of pipe music.

Amazing Grace (1.9MB) -- easily the most requested pipe tune. Though often associated with funerals, I've been asked to play this tune at just about every type of event.

These are some of the tunes I'm currently using in solo competition:

Charles Edward Hope Vere is a 4-part 2/4 march. The 2/4 march is probably the most common type of tune used in light music competition.

Frank Thompson is a 4-part 6/8 march. The 6/8 march is characterized by its swinging beat.

Sad I Am to be in Ireland is a slow air.

The Lament for Donald of Laggan is a Piobaireachd. Pronounced "PEE-broch," this type of music is the ancient classical music of the Scottish Highlands. All piobaireachd tunes are composed of a theme (called the ground, or Urlar) and a series of increasingly complicated variations.

Salute for the Marquis of Argyll another Piobaireachd.

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