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B A G P I P E R PIPER FOR HIRE ABOUT BAGPIPE ADVICE FOR SALE LINKS P I P E R F O R H I R E A S K F O R Y O U R F R E E S A M P L E C D PRICES WEDDINGS FUNERALS REPERTOIRE TESTIMONIALS CONTACT  Hello and welcome to my website. My name is Ross Bates and I am available 7 days a week to play the bagpipes in Melbourne and country Victoria. As a solo piper, I can provide a unique combination musical variety and visual impact at a fair price. I offer a fully professional service and will make sure that all relevant details are planned out well in advance of the function. Short notice is also not a problem, so don't hesitate to contact me if you think you might have left it too late. The uniform worn will include a traditional Scottish kilt in either the Red Robertson or Ancient Murray Of Athol tartans. I have been playing the bagpipes as a soloist and in bands for the last 30 years and have a wealth of professional experience. Among my achievements was being part of the Grade 1 World Championship Pipe Band of 1998. Please see here to read more about my background. All tunes will be played on a resonant, correctly tuned bagpipe, devoid of the shrill harshness often associated with the instrument. You will find pipers who will charge less and others who will charge more. Whoever you choose, make sure you hear them first. I am readily available to audition tunes at our home or over the phone. I also have a freely available CD of myself playing popular tunes such as Amazing Grace, Highland Cathedral, Those Endearing Young Charms, Scotland The Brave, Marie's Wedding, The Northern Lights Of Aberdeen, The Brown Haired Maiden and Mull Of Kintyre. Alternatively I can send the tracks to your email address as MP3s. Please contact me on 03 9744 4098 or 0427 181 164 or rabates@iprimus.com.au to discuss a possible booking or to ask for your free sample CD.
I am available for any of the following: Wedding Ceremonies Wedding Receptions Wedding Anniverseries Funeral Services Committal Services Memorial Services Birthday Parties Christenings Debutante & Scottish Balls Burns Nights & Suppers Christmas Parties New Year's Eve Corporate Functions Retirement Functions Street Parades Multi-Cultural Festivities PRICES Please note that my fees are based upon the time required at the venue and include traveling costs for the Melbourne metropolitan area. There may be a small surcharge for country areas or to cover parking in the CBD. Up to 30 minutes: $200 Up to 1 hour: $230 Up to 2 hours: $250 Over 2 hours, please contact me for a quote. All fees include an optional consultation at our home address to audition tunes demonstrated on the bagpipes. 30 minutes is normally enough time for this or you may prefer to organise everything over the phone or via email. WEDDINGS A solo piper at a Wedding is a cost-effective way of providing formal and informal music before, during and after the ceremony. Without the need for amplification, I am easily able to situate myself in an ideal location relative to the guests and the ceremony itself. I am happy to perform at any part of the ceremony and can recommend suitable music if required. I can provide any or all of the following:
FUNERALS A well played bagpipe at a funeral adds an air of grace and dignity to the occasion that few instruments can match. It is important that the piper is sensitive to the wishes of the bereaved, hence I am more than willing to play any special requests and to fit in with your requirements. By their nature, funerals are organised at short notice, however this not an issue for me as I am readily available throughout the week. I can provide any or all of the following:
REPERTOIRE The following represents a small sampling of my repertoire. They are typical of tunes that should be well known to many of the general public. Most of the tunes listed here are Scottish in origin with some also being Irish. With enough notice, any tune could be played within reason, however it should be noted that not all pieces of music will effectively transfer to the bagpipe. 2/4 MARCHES Highland Laddie - The Barren Rock's Of Aden - The Brown Haired Maiden - A Man's A Man For A' That - Jenny's Bawbee - The High Road To Gareloch - The 42nd Highlanders - Choirechoiles - Marie's Wedding - The Black Bear 4/4 MARCHES Scotland The Brave - The Badge Of Scotland - Scots Wha Hae - Will Ye No Come Back Again? - We're No' Awa' Tae Bide Awa' - Lochlomond - Bonnie Galloway - The Rowan Tree - The Blue Bells Of Scotland - The Minstrel Boy - Maggie - Silver Threads Amongst The Gold - The Bonnie Lass O' Fyvie - I Love A Lassie - Stop Your Ticklin' Jock - The Earl Of Mansfield 6/8 MARCHES Bonnie Dundee - A 100 Pipers - Cock O' The North - Hot Punch - The Muckin' O' Geordie's Byre - Dovecote Park - 10th H.L.I. Crossing The Rhine - Bengullion - Atholl Highlanders - Auld Adam - Dr. Ross's 50th Welcome To The Argyllshire Gathering 3/4 RETREATS Lochanside - Green Hills Of Tyrol - When The Battle's O'er - Dr. Runcie - The Banks Of Allan Water - Shoals Of Herring - Dream Valley Of Glendaruel AIRS, HYMNS & LAMENTS Amazing Grace - The Day Thou Gavest Lord, Is Ended - Abide With Me - Flowers Of The Forest - Going Home - Highland Cathedral - The Mist Covered Mountains - Thug Mi Gaol - Lord Lovat's Lament - Summertime - Mhorag Duncan - Fair Jean - Dark Island WALTZES The Flower Of Scotland - The Skye Boat Song - An Old Irish Air - The Iona Boat Song - Morag Of Dunvegan - Highland Cradle Song - The Old Knife Grinder's Spring Song - Comin' Through The Rye - The Northern Lights Of Aberdeen - My Home - Black Velvet Band - The Saffron Kilt - O Gin I Were A Baron's Heir - Loch Tay Boat Song - Those Endearing Young Charms AUSTRALIAN The Road To Gundagai - South Australia - Waltzing Matilda - We Are Australian CHRISTMAS Jingle Bells - Deck The Halls - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Good King Wenceslas - Come All Ye Faithful VARIOUS Auld Lang Syne - Happy Birthday - Orkney Wedding With Sunrise - Mull Of Kintyre - Ode To Joy - Trumpet Voluntary - The Lord Of The Dance - Its A Long Way To The Top (excerpt) - You're The Voice (excerpt) - Danny Boy* * Please note that Danny Boy is an Irish song that goes well beyond the scale of the Highland bagpipe, however these limitations can be partially overcome with some improvisation on the part of the piper. TESTIMONIALS "...just wanting to say again how very much we all enjoyed your playing on the 27th of November. People are still coming up to me to say how much they loved it. It was a perfect way to set the mood for a wonderful festive occasion..." "...I just wanted to send you a massive thank you for your work at our wedding. You walking in front of the limo all the way down was perfect. It looked amazing in the photos and it was absolutely brilliant. Thank you so much for staying a little longer a well - it was greatly appreciated. I will be recommending you to all other Brides who are considering a bagpiper..." "... thank you so much for yesterday. A lot of people have commented on how your playing was so professional and suited the funeral for my mum..." "...just wanted to say a big thank you for playing on Saturday night for our Engagament party. Everone loved it and said how fabulous you were! We will be recommending you to our friends and family and we would like you to play at our wedding :)..." "...thank you very much for playing at our Wedding, we got a lot of comments about how great the piper was, it made a big difference to the day. If I know anyone who is looking for a piper, I’ll definitely pass on your name..." "...I would like to express my thanks for the way you performed at Mum’s funeral. Your professional approach to all aspects of the service you provided was matched only by your playing. My family are so pleased that you were available at such short notice and I am appreciative of your attention to detail, empathy and precision. You certainly contributed to ensure mum received a dignified and solemn service...""...thank you for making our Wedding a special day..." "...your piping provided just the right atmosphere for the Funeral..." "...thanks for playing the bagpipes at my father's Birthday, everyone loved it..." "...thank you for your excellent piping, it made the day..." "...I would just like to send you a quick email to thankyou very much for your amazing pipe playing and making our day so special! You helped everything run smoothly, made our photos unique and even stayed back extra time for us! Thank you for making our day!!!..."
Sunbury,
Victoria, Australia, 3429. Phone: 03 9744 4098 Mobile: 0427 181 164 rabates@iprimus.com.au ABN: 24 591 526 576 Website created and maintained by Ross Bates Last updated 09/01/2012 |