Bagpiper

Andrew Brian

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About Andrew

Full time, professional Highland bagpiper to hire throughout the UK. Specialist in Weddings and Funerals plus many other types of events.
Bagpiper
Warrington
Public liability insurance of £1 million
Verified profile

I have over 30 years experience and have played at many high profile events. I am a former military piper and served with the World Famous Black Watch regiment. Whilst I was in the military I qualified as a class one piper which then enables military pipers to be recommended for the prestigious Pipe Majors course. As a class one piper, I was often required to perform as a soloist at important functions for various VIPs and senior officers. I have been involved in events that have been broadcast to millions world wide such as, The Edinburgh Military tattoo and the Hand over of Hong Kong ceremony. Other events I have performed at include the Basel Tattoo in Switzerland, the Berlin tattoo, the Malta tattoo, musical tours to North America and New Zealand. I have also performed for Scottish societies in Scotland, England, Hong Kong, Canada and Kenya. Amongst these performances, I have had the privilege to play for Royalty and heads of state. Over the years I have performed for many families at their celebrations such as weddings and funerals and other family gatherings. Each gathering requires different approaches and my extensive experience over the years helps me tailor each performance to suit the families needs. I have a range of tartans available in a selection of different uniform options which can be discussed at the booking stage. Combining my uniform options with my extensive experience and standard of playing enables me to deliver a service to families that I believe is compatible with a families wishes and expectations at such an important time in their lives. Please feel free to get in touch or browse my profile for more information about my services. Andy

Andrew
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5 out of 5
59 verified reviews
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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5.0
Punctuality
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5.0

Andrew's Reviews

From Encore customers:

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Ailsa L
26 days ago
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5 out of 5

Excellent service at my dad’s funeral and burial - very moving.

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Ashleigh W
30 days ago
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5 out of 5

fantastic experience from booking right through to the wedding. We had so many compliments. We were very pleased! Thank you, Andrew!

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Chloe W
1 month ago
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5 out of 5

Andrew was fantastic!! The perfect contribution to our wedding day. All our guests commented on how great he was! Thank you yet again.

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David K
2 months ago
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5 out of 5

Andrew is the genuine article, he will ad stature to any occasion. He happy to fit in with the customer’s requirements and works to make the occasion a success. He is an accomplished musician

Read all 51 reviews

From other customers:

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Wendy B
5 years ago, for a Wedding in Chester CH3 6RB
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5 out of 5

10/10 The best experience ever everyone said at the Wedding reception how it made the day and how Andy carried on playing on and off through freezing cold weather, he was worth every penny. Wendy

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Linda W
5 years ago, for a Funeral / Memorial service in Bangor LL57 4HP
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5 out of 5

A wonderful Piper. he piped as the courtage walked down .piped into the hall and piped out played favorite tunes so movingly and my brother had always wanted a piper but Andrew Paton exceeded all expectations.A very moving tribute indeed . Thank you .

Read all 13 reviews

From other musicians:

Encore badges
Top 10 booked musician of 2022
Lightning fast responses
Average response time under 2 hours
75 gigs
Veteran: 75 bookings through Encore
Saved the day!
Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
7th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 7 years
Encore expert
Demonstrated expertise by completing the Encore Academy
Member of the Encore community forum

Andrew's Song list

The following is a selection of my repertoire,
I do have other tunes that may be unfamiliar to non piping people.
If you don't see your favourite, please get in touch, I do have an extensive library and can usually source and learn most bagpipe tunes.
Amazing Grace
Highland Cathedral
Slow airs/songs
Caledonia
Cock of the North
Danny boy
For Ireland, I'd not tell her name
Going Home
Happy Birthday
Hector the Hero
Maries Wedding
Mull of Kintyre
My Home
Scottish soldier
The Ballad of Glencoe
The Cradle song
The Dark Isle
The Flower of Scotland
The Leaving of Liverpool
The Mingualy boat song
The Mist covered mountains
The Skye boat song
These are my mountains
We're no awa tae bide awa
When the pipers play
Westering home
Laments
Flowers of the Forrest
Sleep Dearie Sleep
Hymns
Abide with me
Oft the Stilly Night
Marches
All the Blue Bonnets o'er the border
Balmoral
Bloody fields of Flanders
Bonnie Dundee
Bonnie Gallowa'
Bugle horn
Castle dangerous
Colins cattle
Cullen bay
Donald MacLean of Lewis
Farewell to the Creeks
Highland laddie
Jeannie Mauchline
Killiecrankie
Kilworth hills
King George the V's Army
Liberton pipe band
Lochanside
Loch Maree
Loch Ruan
Lord Lovat's lament
Mairi's wedding
Meeting of the waters
Murdo's wedding
Scotland the Brave
The 25th KOSB's farewell to Meerut
The 79ths Farewell to Gibraltar
The Atholl Highlanders
The Barren Rocks of Aden
The Bathgate Highland games
The Battle of the Somme
The Battle of Waterloo
The Black bear
The Bonnie Lass of Fyvie
The Brown haired maiden
The Crags of tumble down mountain
The Drunken piper
The Glendaurel highlanders
The Green Hills of Tyrol
The Heights of Dargai
The Highland wedding
The Muckin o Geordies byre
The Old rustic bridge
The Road to the Isles
The Rose of Allendale
The Roses of Prince Charlie
The Rowan Tree
The Steam boat
The Weary maid
When the Battle's O'er
Wings
Ye Jacobites by name
Strathspeys
Because he was a bonny lad
Captain Horne
Dalnahassaig
Hot punch
Highland Harry
Keel Row
Monymusk
O'er the bows to Ballindalloch
Orange and Blue
Rose among the heather
Reels
Ale is dear
Devil among the taiors
Fairy dance
High road to Linton
Itchy fingers
Jock Wilsons ball
Jigs
Banjo Breakdown
Glasgow City police pipers
Rocking the baby
The Curlew
Tripping up the stairs
Hornpipes
Clumsy lover
Crossing the Minch
Sandy's new chanter
The High drive
Burns
Auld Lang Syne
A Man's a man for a that
My Love she's but a Lassie yet
Corn rigs are bonnie
Ye Banks and Braes
Will ye no come back again
Ae fond Kiss
Some tunes I won't or can't play.
Braveheart
Most pop songs
Any offensive music
Some popular songs that aren't specifically written for the bagpipe can sometimes be played.
However, most can't and although some pipers will attempt a version of that song, I prefer not to play anything that isn't correct or as close as can be to the original.
Bagpipes only have 9 notes so we can be very restricted in what can and can't be done.
I always prefer to aim to have my playing and presence at your event to be a memorable one and that could sometimes mean I should not attempt a certain piece if, in my opinion that it will have a negative impact.

Andrew's Prices

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£150
Up to 1 hour£187.50
Up to 2 hours£250
Up to 3 hours£312.50
Packages
Reception only
A performance at a wedding reception only would typically include:- A typical wedding ceremony performance would include the following:- Pipe for the arrival of the guests Pipe for the arrival of the bride and groom and lead them into drinks reception Pipe during photos (subject to venue and weather) Lead bride and groom to top table for the wedding breakfast. Finish
£170
Wedding only
A typical wedding ceremony performance would include the following:- Pipe for the arrival of the guests Pipe for the brides arrival, or, pipe bride down the aisle Pipe bride and groom out of the ceremony Pipe during photos (subject to venue and weather) Pipe as bride and gromm leave for reception. Finish
£180
Wedding and reception or civil ceremony
Pipe for the arrival of the guests Pipe for brides arrival, or, pipe bride down the aisle Pipe bride and groom out of the ceremony Pipe during photos (subject to venue and weather) Lead bride and groom to top table for the wedding breakfast. Finish
£220
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Being able to tailor the performance to their exact requirements. I also pride myself on the quality of my music and standard of turnout

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Too many to list, I 've played all over the world, from private houses to stately homes and castles and for the general public and heads of state and royalty. Some events I have previously played at include:- The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Basel Tattoo, the Berlin tattoo, the Malta tattoo and the world pipe band championships to name a few.

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Many pipers from world champions to the ordinary pipe band piper, each with their own techniques and characteristics. Some of the biggest influences are the least well known.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

The hand over of Hong Kong in 1997

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

Not normally a problem, please try and give me as much notice as possible of any changes and I will do my best to accommodate.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

Not applicable

How much time do you need to set up?

No more than 10 - 15 minutes, can be less if required e.g performances for surprises.

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

Yes, I will also attempt to source and learn any pieces not on my set list as long as they are playable on the bagpipe

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

Yes, given at least a weeks notice and subject to the piece being able to be played on the instrument.
Musicianship
Genres:
Military, Folk, Traditional church music, Early music, Ceillidh, Traditional Scottish folk, Traditional Irish folk, Light music, Marching, Originals, World music, Scottish music
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Instruments:
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Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
See all event types
Other skills:
Arranger, Composer, Fluent sight-reader, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching, Community music worker
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