Wedding Piper Plus
Piping For Any Occasion: Have Pipes, Will Travel!
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Please Check out HalThePiper’s MySpace Page to hear my Danny Boy, Amazing Grace and Minstrel Boy on my smallpipes, and a medley beginning with Scotland The Brave on my Great Highland Pipes. There is also some info there about where I have been and will be playing in the near future. Plus, of course, you can become one of my MySpace Friends, and find out when my new album will become available! Come back here for pricing information and for a complete list the tunes I play.
I also Teach Bagpipes, so, if you want to learn to play Bagpipes, and need a Bagpipe Instructor in the Annapolis, MD area, please Check out HalThePiper’s Bagpipe Teacher Website.
In addition, I am proud to be an authorized Gibson Bagpipes Instructor/Supplier. You can see the Gibson product line by clicking on: Gibsonpipes.com.
Contact me for prices on indivudal Gibson products at:
HalThePiper@yahoo.com or 443-995-2691. This includes any items in the Gibson line, including Highland Pipes, Fireside Pipes, the other types of wonderful Gibson smallpipes, pipe chanters, practice chanters, and those awesome Gibson practice chanter reeds.
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Nothing focuses attention or makes your event as memorable as the skirl of the pipes provided by a kilted piper in formal highland dress.
Hi! this is Hal Cummings, and I can provide a special Celtic touch for your special occasion - whether or not it is one of the following:
Wedding
Formal Military Dining-Out....Corporate Event...Store Opening
Product Launch......Sports Event......Fund Raiser
Anniversary....Birthday Party....Family Gathering
Funeral......Memorial Service...Scattering of Ashes
Whether you are planning a casual beach wedding, a formal dinner/ceremony, or a solemn funeral with full military honors, I have the appropriate attire and can assist you in selecting music that will suit the occasion.
Pricing
For Non-Wedding performances:
$200 for first hour.
$75 for each additional hour.
For Weddings:
Economy Package: $75 additional to above to also play outside while waiting for Bride and Groom to emerge, and while pictures are being taken.
Celtic Heritage Package: $75 additional to above to also play any number of tunes during the service (Processional, Recessional, etc.) – Any of my bagpipes can be played in conjuction with other instruments (usually an organ for weddings), and the resulting music can be spectacular (this requires coordination ahead of time with the organist, but is certainly feasible - if you have not chosen your organist, I can make a recommendation for one I have worked with before).
HalThePiper’s Premium Package: $75 additional to above to play at the Reception. If you have done the math, this would be $425 to play before the Ceremony, During the Ceremony, After the Ceremony And for The Reception - but if you choose this option, the total will be $400. This option can involve: playing outside the Reception Venue with Bagpipes AND/OR playing inside during cocktail hour with “Smallpipes” (these play at a lower volume - people can stand near the piper and still hear each other talk!) AND/OR Pipe the Bride and Groom into the Reception AND/OR play a Waltz for any of the Special Dances during the evening (e.g. “Endearing Young Charms” and “Saffron Kilt”) AND/OR do a performance after dinner which would include fast, catchy tunes to encourage dancing.
A few comments about the sound volume of a bagpipe, and whether bagpipes are suitable indoors. Occasionally, I hear people comment that they have been told the bagpipes are too loud to be played in church. Actually, I have played successfully inside many churches. Yes, we test out the acoustics beforehand - and find the right place for me to play. Sometimes I play in the choir loft - that can be convenient if organist is there, and we can coordinate easily. In each instance, I have received positive feedback from the brides, grooms, and their families. My Pipe Band plays in different churches several times a year for Kirkin' o' the Tartan (Blessing of the Tartan) ceremonies. We keep getting invited to come back and do it again year in and year out! Inside, in a small room/space, or a room with low ceilings the big pipes will be too loud unless it's in a packed bar at St. Patrick's Day - there the crowd noise can almost drown out a bagpipe! In small rooms, when we want people to be able to have conversation (e.g. cocktail hour etc.), that is the perfect time for using a smallpipe is similar in sound volume to a clarinet/sax (I also have an electronic bagpipe called a DegerPipe – it’s like the one the piper in Gaelic Storm plays - it can be hooked up to a speaker, and will play at any volume, in any key that is desired). So, if you want a Celtic flavor to the music at a ceremony or reception, it can be delivered Live and In Person, at any sound level you want!
An extra fee may also apply to cover transportation expenses outside of the greater Washington D.C./Baltimore area. If you require a pipe and drum ensemble, I can arrange that. Would you like a performance by a Highland, or Irish dancer? I can arrange that as well. I can also recommend vocalists, organists and/or pianists, and I know several who can play along with my bagpipes too. Would you like an Irish/Celtic band? I play with several, and can help you pick the one that suits your needs. For additional information on rates for your special occasion email me or call
443-995-2691.
My piping background:
I am a piper with strong ties to the Navy and the Naval Academy. I graduated from USNA in 1971 (was a member of the Chapel Choir), and taught Weapons and Systems Engineering courses there from 1985 to 1989, retiring from the Navy in 1991.
I began studying piping as a member of the Bermuda Rifles Cadet Corps Pipe Band in 1959. I played in that band until 1962, when my father, who was serving as the Base Chaplain for the U.S. Naval Station in Bermuda, was transferred to the Washington D.C. area.
From 1962 until 1965, I studied Piping with Sandy Jones, who became Pipe Major of the Air Force Pipe Band. During that time I played with several groups that Sandy sponsored, and did solo work, and piping for Highland Dancing performances. In addition, I took music and voice lessons from members of the Navy Band.
In 1966, I studied and played pipes with the Edinburgh Academy pipers.
I only met one other piper at the Naval Academy, and we played for the occasional USNA meal formation. Until after I retired from the Navy, I played mostly for my own amusement, and did some occasional informal solo work.
During the summer of 2004, I attended the North American Academy of Piping and Drumming with Sandy Jones (828-884-4419).
Currently, I live in Annapolis Maryland, and play as a member and occasional soloist with the Chesapeake Caledonian Pipes and Drums. In addition I perform on my own at weddings, corporate functions, private parties, and church services. I recently played the pipes at a Vice Admiral's retirement in the Navy Yard in Washington D.C., and at a Program Office Dining out at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. I play pipes in Oloughlin's Pub in Arnold, MD on St. Patrick's Day, and New Year's Eve.
HalThePiper Tune Request List
When Irish Eyes are Smiling
Danny Boy
The Dawning Of The Day
Black Velvet Band
Wearing of the Green
My Wild Irish Rose
St. Patrick’s Day
God Save Ireland
Irish Jig (Irish Washerwoman)
Minstrel Boy
Endearing Young Charms
Cockles and Mussels
Let Erin Remember
On Erin's Shore (Paddy’s Gr. Shamrock Shores)
Wild Rover
Back to Donegal
Men of The West
Fields of Athenrye
Parting Glass
Soldier's Song (Irish National Anthem)
A Nation Once Again
Cadence to Arms (a la Dropkick Murphys)
She Moved Through the Fair
The Gypsy Rover
Mist Covered Mountain
Finnegan’s Wake
Wild Mountain Thyme
The Crusader’s March
Twenty Men from Dublin Town
Rakes of Mallow
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral
The Bard of Armagh (Streets of Laredo)
The Pikeman’s March (The Halting March)
Mountains of the Mourne
Simple Gifts (As per Lord of the Dance/RiverDance)
The Water is Wide (When the Pipers Play)
Meeting Of The Waters
Killaloe
It’s a Long Way to Tipperary
Saffron Kilt
Bonnie Lass of Fyvie
Paddy’s Leather Britches
Notre Dame Fight Song
Wreck of the Ed. Fitz. (Back Home in Derry)
Shenandoah
The Congress Reel
The Swallow Tail Coat
The Gravel Path
Theme fm Last of The Mohicans (The Gael)
Theme from The Mission (Gabriel's Oboe)
Hail to the Redskins
Marie’s Wedding
Anchor's Aweigh
Eternal Father
Navy Blue and Gold
The Marine Corps Hymn
Gary Owen
Jolly Beggarman (Red Haired Boy)
Caissons
The Girl I left Behind
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
Wild Blue Yonder
Banjo Breakdown
Cuttin' Bracken (March & Jig)
Crossing the Minch
Train Journey North
Castle Walls
Itchy Fingers
Clumsy Lover
I’ll Take You Home Kathleen
Wings
A Sodger’s Return
Scotland The Brave aka Cadence to Arms
Black Bear
Highland Laddie
Farewell to the Creeks
The Siege of Delhi
The Earl of Mansfield
Captain Norman Orr Ewing
Cabar Feidh
Bonnie Banks of Galloway
Ye Jacobites by Name
Wagenborgen
Corriechoillie’s Welcome
Terribus
The Battle of Killiecrankie
Bluebells of Scotland
Bonnie Charlie
Amazing Grace
Murdo’s Wedding
Morag of Dunvegan
I Am a Young Man
The Battle's O'er
Castle Dangerous
The Battle of Waterloo
Cockney Jocks
Road to Grandfather
Atholl Highlanders
It's Lonely at Night in the Bothy
Desert Storm (Hornpipe)
Green Hills of Tyrol
My Land
Highland Wedding
Loudon’s Bonnie Woods and Braes
Kilworth Hills
Lochanside
Garden's of Skye
The Children
Piper of Drummond
Macrae Meadow
Lord Lovat's Lament
Bonnie Gallowa’
Rowan Tree
Raigmore
Dr. McInnes's Fancy
Because He Was a Bonnie Lad
The Kilt is My Delight
Blackberry Bush
Shepherd's Crook
Gillie Callum
Scots Wha’ Hae’
42nd Highlanders
The Flower of Scotland
Hector The Hero
Dark Island
Loch Ruan
Sky Boat Song
Mingulay Boatmen
Bonny Portmore
Highland Cathedral
The Flowers of the Forest
My Home
Abide With Me
Going Home
Amazing Grace
Suo Gan (Welsh Air in Empire of The Sun)
Auld Lang Syne
The Bridal March (Wagner)
The Prince of Denmark's March
Boogie Woogie Piper (a la Seamus Kennedy)
We Will Rock You
Star Wars & Darth Vader Theme
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
It's a Long Way to the Top (a la AC/DC)
Jesus Christ Super Star
Oh When the Saints
Happy Birthday
Hava Nagila
The Phoenix
Sgt. McKenzie (from the We Were Soldiers)
The Mansions of the Lord (from We Were Soldiers)
Andy Renwick's Ferret
Rocky Road To Dublin
Shipping Up To Boston (from The Departed)
Mason's Apron
Dances With Wolves Movie Theme
Call to Glory
Misty Seaport: A Salute to Annapolis
Annapolis, I'm Glad I'm Homeward Bound
Freedom It Ain't Free
Thank You From a Grateful Nation
Click here to Send HalthePiper an Email to find out how he can make Your Event more Memorable!
If you have not yet done so, please Check out HalThePiper’s MySpace Page to hear my Danny Boy, Amazing Grace and Minstrel Boy on my smallpipes, and a medley beginning with Scotland The Brave on my Great Highland Pipes. There is also some info there about where I have been and will be playing in the near future.
Calling all bands and performers in the U.S. I just recently got a performer membership with Gigmasters.com , and I Love it! I've already had four bookings with others pending. I recommend the Basic plan because it lets you bid on gigs in your category within a hundred miles of you. If you check it out and decide to try out Gigmasters.com , please enter the code M31437 into the "Who (or what website) referred you to Gigmasters?" field of the Membership registration form. It will help me out at no expense to you.
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