Hiring a bagpiper
Pipers For Hire makes it easy to search for and find local bagpipers so clients can contact multiple bagpipers for quotes. For those who are hiring a bagpiper for the first time – this guide explains the process and ensures you know what information is important.
Every occasion deserves a quality bagpiper who represents the instrument well and comes at a reasonable price. When requesting a quote, the key information needed is:
1) Location and time
Providing the event address will help the bagpiper access if they will be able to travel to the event on time or if any travel costs will be included. For the time, it's important to know not only when you'd like the music to start, but also for how long you'd like the performance to be. Bagpipers typically need some extra time to warm-up and tune the bagpipes prior to performing, so timing is a crucial factor.
2) Special requests and logistics
This topic could cover the timing of the performance (i.e. before, during, or after a service), certain tunes you want played, if you're looking for multiple players/mini-band, or whether it's meant to be a surprise. The more detail you can provide upfront, the greater the likelihood the bagpiper will understand exactly what you're looking for in the performance. If you're still in the planning stages and are looking for advice – a truly great piper will have recommendations based on their past experiences!
3) Check if there's a deposit
Most bagpipers will ask for a deposit if the event date is a month or more out. Especially during peak seasons and holidays (such as wedding season, St. Patrick's Day, graduations, etc.) bagpipers might get multiple inquiries and use deposits to hold a date. Learn more about the cost of hiring a bagpiper below.
The cost of hiring a bagpiper
Several factors can go into the total cost of hiring a bagpiper. These can include the length of the performance and any travel expenses (ex. tolls and gas). Additional factors like the bagpiper's years of experience or the local market economics might influence the quote. It's also helpful to know that even if the musical performance itself only lasts 20 minutes, the bagpiper is still investing time "behind the scenes" including bagpipe maintenance, dressing in uniform, traveling to and from the venue, pre-event rehearsals, transposing and memorizing special tune requests, etc. (not to mention the financial investment to maintain the instrument and uniform!) So what on the surface might appear as a 20 minute engagement could in reality add up to several hours in total. Each bagpiper will have their own method for determining the final cost, but knowing it's a combination of factors can help explain some differences in price range.