J.R. Arthur - Celtic Bagpiper - Fredericksburg, VA - Hero Main
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J.R. Arthur Celtic Bagpiper from Fredericksburg, VA

Will travel up to 100 miles

  • Avg 5.0 | 172 Reviews
  • 312 Verified Bookings
  • Member Since 2012
  • 15 Awards & Badges
  • Virtual Services Offered
  • Accepts Online Payment
  • Starting at $300 per hour

About Vendor 

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BACKGROUND: I am a piper with 20+ years experience. I played with McGuire's Pipe and Drums Band in Pensacola, Fl for the first 15 of those years (Photos #14&15) prior to moving to Fredericksburg, VA. Throughout my years as a member of McGuire's Pipe and Drums and now, as an independent piper in Fredericksburg, I have played at numerous graduations, retirements, birthdays, commemorations, celebrations, celebrations, and festivities, as well as over 200 weddings and somewhat more than 180 funerals. In addition to being a piper, I am also a "Santa Claus" and have served as the "National Santa Claus" and piped in President's Park in The Ellipse in Washington, D.C. (Photo #13). My Santa profile with GigMasters may be found at the GigMasters' Category: SANTA CLAUS in FREDERICKSBURG, VA under SANTA JACK ARTHUR & MRS. C As to my credentials below, I am a retired naval officer and naval aviator. TUNES/PERFORMANCE: As indicated in the "Song List" button above, I play numerous Scottish, sacred, secular, and festive tunes as well as numerous more recognizable "American" tunes and would be glad to invite your input or assist you in selecting the tunes you would like to hear to ensure you have exactly the music that you would wish from a piper. When desired in performance, such as birthday parties or St. Patricks Day celebrations, I introduce not only the tune's name, but also a bit of history behind various tunes and add a few ethnic jokes (of course, as I am Scottish, the jokes also tend to be Scottish). Additionally, as has been requested several times, I also "roast" the various members of the party (with loving and tender remembrances of their past). ATTIRE: I have a number of attires. In the order of the photographs, they are: First: My Full Dress; kilt, double breasted tunic, piper's plaid, feather bonnet, dirk, and horse hair sporran (Photos #2-5). I normally have an "up-charge" of $50. 00 for this uniform except for full honor military funerals. When I wear this attire for military funerals, I also wear the flag of the military branch of the deceased on my bass drone, as shown in photos #2,3,5,6,&7. Second: My "Prince Charlie" attire (Photos #6 thru #9) which I also wear for formal occasions (weddings, funerals, birthday parties, etc.). For weddings, I wear ribbons of the colors of the bride on my bass drone. Third&Fourth: Two short sleeved shirt "military" uniforms (Photos #10 and #11-12) which I use, when requested, for less formal occasions. Fifth: Not shown, is a "Peasant Piper" attire with peasant shirt and deer skin boots which I have worn for beach weddings. Of course, there is always my Santa attire (Photos #13), but that may not always be appropriate... Just sayin' ADDITIONAL SERVICES: When requested, I am able to provide a videographer to record both your event and my playing. For military funerals where no bugler is provided, I also play "Taps" on the ceremonial bugle. J.R. Arthur LCdr, USN, (Ret)

Services 

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Reviews 

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Avg 5.0 | 172 Reviews

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Review by Teress M.

FuneralReviewed on March 12, 2024From Richmond, VA

JR is the quinessential piper. We are so grateful to him for bringing a dignified, traditional pageantry to our special family member's military honors interment ceremony. There is no other instrument that can convey the rich and strong depth of emotion than the bagpipes. JR's piping and presence both celebrated our loved one's life and ancestry and at the same time mourned his passing. The tribute was so much more beautiful and memorable with the confident and enduring sound of JR's bagpipes. JR is a gifted and wonderful piper and a gem of a man. 5 stars are not enough!

Review by Lisa C.

FuneralReviewed on February 19, 2024From Rockville, MD

He looked magniciaent in his full regalia, played the pipes well and even sang a tune.

Review by Ward L.

FuneralReviewed on January 13, 2024From Annapolis, MD

J.R. Was stellar. He was so accommodating and had the finest kit presented. The graveside funeral service was extremely emotional thanks to his bagpipes…!

Awards & Badges 

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Song List 

Get a feel for the songs performed by this vendor. Contact them directly for special requests.

  • Many Secular Scottish/Irish Tunes | Bagpipes
  • Many Popular Sacred/Church Tunes | Bagpipes
  • Many Popular Wedding Tunes | Bagpipes
  • Many Irish Tunes | Bagpipes
  • Many Scottish Funerary Tunes | Bagpipes
  • Taps | Bugle

Booked Events 

: The Bash Verified Bookings

Upcoming Events

April 12, 2024 • Funeral
Fri10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Charlottesville, VA
June 1, 2024 • Wedding Ceremony
Sat2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Rixeyville, VA
September 14, 2024 • Event
Sat5:30 PM - 8:30 PM Herndon, VA

Past Events

March 16, 2024 • Saint Patrick's Day Party
Sat6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Madison, VA
March 11, 2024 • Funeral
Mon10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Richmond, VA
February 18, 2024 • Funeral
Sun3:00 PM - 3:15 PM Rockville, MD
February 15, 2024 • Funeral
Thu4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Chesterfield, VA
January 12, 2024 • Funeral
Fri12:00 PM - 12:30 PM Annapolis, MD
November 10, 2023 • Wedding
Fri2:00 PM - 2:45 PM Manassas, VA
November 4, 2023 • Wedding Ceremony
Sat5:00 PM - 5:30 PM Washington, DC
October 29, 2023 • Community Event
Sun9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Madison, VA
October 25, 2023 • Funeral
Wed3:00 PM - 3:30 PM Alexandria, VA

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