Book James Meiklejohn, Bagpiper in Cardiff

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From£180

1 hour

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Watch & Listen

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ARM Night Ceilidh 2020

Strathspey on Bagpipes

CITY OF LONDON PIPE BAND PERFORM AT THE WORLDS 2019

About James

I am a bagpipe player living in Cardiff, and able to play at all kinds of traditional and contemporary events.

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Bagpiper

Cardiff

Verified profile

I grew up in Edinburgh and played in a school pipe band, and then on moving down south for university kept in touch with piping by playing for the Stockbridge Pipe Band in Edinburgh. When I moved to London I joined the City of London Pipe Band, a fairly new organisation looking to raise the standard of piping in London. I now compete in band and solo competitions at a high level, and still receive tutoring from one of the world's top players to develop my playing further. As well as playing in competitions, I now play at lots of other public and private events, including weddings, birthday parties, funerals, and ceremonies. I've also played at ceilidhs for dancers and always find a party on New Years Eve!

Performance details

I can perform outdoors

I can perform with backing tracks

I can perform while walking around a venue

Encore awards

3rd Encoreversary

Saved the day!

Booked for 5 Encore gigs!

Musicianship

Genres:

Scottish music, Ceilidh, Traditional Scottish folk, Traditional Irish folk, Christmas, Military, Marching, World music, Folk

See all genres

Instruments:

Bagpipes

See all instruments

Event types:

Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Theatre / Show, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve, Virtual event, Cruise

See all event types

Other skills:

Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching

See all skills

Song list

-- Traditional and popular tunes --

Scotland the Brave

Highland Cathedral

Amazing Grace

Flower of Scotland

-- Slow airs and memorial songs --

Auld Lang Syne

Hector the Hero

Air in B Minor

The Old Churchyard

The Music Man

The Water is Wide

Hector the Hero

Setting a Course for Lewis / Togail Curs Air Leodhas

Time to Say Goodbye

You Raise Me Up

Last of the Mohicans

Going Home

The Music Man

-- Marches --

Braes of Castle Grant

Dr Angus Macdonald

Bruce Gandy's Farewell to the Iron Horse

Highland Wedding

Donald Maclennan of Rothesay

John Macdonald of Glencoe

Rowan Tree

Flett from Flotta

Wee Michael's March

The Young MacGregor

When the Battle's Over

Dawning of the Day

The Rowan Tree

The Black Bear

The Glenfinnan Highland Gathering

The Young MacGregor

Fields of Flanders

Shoals of Herring

Castle Dangerous

Minstrel Boy

Black Bear

The Heights of Dargai

Battle of the Somme

The Festival March

79ths Farewell to Gibraltar

Edinburgh City Police Pipers

The Green Hills of Tyroll

Highland Laddie

Lochanside

The Minstrel Boy

-- Hornpipes, jigs, strathspeys and reels --

Tam Bain's Lum

Cosmos Cascade

Inveraray Castle

Edwyn's Didji Place

Jimmy's Gift

The High Drive (Jig)

The High Drive (Reel)

Wee Gordon's Brig o'Doon Phrase

Rhonda Blair

Jig of Slurs

Dora Macleod

The Smith of Chilliechassie

John Morrison of Assynt House

Mrs MacPherson of Inveran

The Fiddler's Rally

The Soup Dragon

The Dirty Lough

The Pitlochry High School Centenary

Glasgow City Police Pipers

Lord McConnell

The Emancipation Break

-- National anthems and celebratory songs --

Flower of Scotland

Bread of Heaven

Ireland's Call

God Save the Queen

-- Modern Songs --

500 miles

Road to the Isles

Flower of Scotland

Here Comes the Sun

Wake Me Up

Star Wars Theme

Happy Birthday

-- Raising a Toast --

Wedding toast

Birthday toast

Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

I always make an effort to look as smart as possible, and play tunes everyone will enjoy!

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Edinburgh Usher Hall, KKL Luzern Concert Hall, Annabelles, ARM headquarters

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, Beolach, Inveraray and District Pipe Band

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

Playing in front of thousands of people at the KKL Concert Hall in Lucerne.

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

I'll do my best to accommodate the changes, just please let me know as early as possible!

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

Yes, I can put together a playlist of other bagpipe or traditional Scottish music.

How much time do you need to set up?

I like to see the venue around an hour before playing, but only need around 20 minutes to tune up - ideally somewhere a similar temperature to the venue itself.

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

Yes, please let me know what you'd like or just any preferences for tunes.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes, there is no need for amplification of any kind with the bagpipes!

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

Yes, please just get in touch, anything I don't know already I can learn in a few days for you.

Prices

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

Performance duration	Price
Short performance (up to 15 min)	£150
Up to 1 hour	£180
Up to 2 hours	£200
Up to 3 hours	£220

Drinks reception

Two performances of up to 45 mins each during your drinks reception

£200

Wedding ceremony

This includes music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.

£220

Wedding ceremony + Drinks reception + Dinner

- Music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. - 2 x 45 min performances at the drinks reception. - 2 x 45 min performances as dinner is being served.

£240

Zoom bomb

I'll jump into your Zoom call and surprise your friends and colleagues with a unique song!

£40

Reviews

11 verified reviews

Satisfaction

Professionalism

Communication

Punctuality

Verified

Mick T, 1 month ago

James was an absolute delight in playing the pipes at our war memorial rededication service. A lovely guy, his communication levels were high throughout the engagement process and the standard of his piping was also excellent. I would use James again without hesitation.

Verified

Wayne F, 3 months ago

James did an absolutely fantastic job playing for our wedding guests as they arrived (which they all loved), and also playing us in and out of the ceremony. He was prompt with all communications, arrived in plenty of time on the day, was immaculately turned out, and was accommodating of requests. Would highly recommend!

Verified

Sinead M, 6 months ago

James was so quick to get back to me and his playing was incredible! He was the full package and I’d recommend him to anyone looking for some amazing bagpipe playing!

Verified

Jack W, 2 years ago

James was awesome. Great piper and lovely guy who made the event brilliant.

Verified

C F, 29 days ago

Thank you so much you were absolutely fantastic, the guests loved you and even the florist said you made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up when you started to play.

Verified

Laura H, 1 month ago

Honestly, thank you so much. You were such a fab addition, and it felt so special to be piped in for arrival and out. I loved it and so many people commented on how great you were.