BFA, Music Performance (Bagpipe), Carnegie-Mellon University
As featured by: The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, CBS, NBC, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Past Appearances: The White House, NFL Games, The World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, With Grammy-winners The Chieftains, Piping Live, Festival Interceltique Lorient, College Magazine, La Telegramme, Pittsburgh Steelers, WDVE
Nicholas Hudson is a professional, conservatory-trained bagpipe musician and instructor based in the Houston area, available to play bagpipes at weddings, funerals, parties, and other events. He is the third ever graduate of the Bagpipe Performance degree at Carnegie Mellon University. An experienced performer, Nick is well versed in both traditional and contemporary piping and, as a Professional grade piper, has won many prizes in solo competition. He also holds the Graduate Certificate from the Institute of Piping, the highest certification possible for bagpipe performance. Nick has been featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal and nationwide appearances on The Today Show and CBS Evening News.
In addition to highland piping, Nicholas Hudson is an active performer of border/smallpipes and whistles with various ensembles. He has competed multiple times at the Grade 1 World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, and has also competed successfully in France, placing third in the national championship. In addition to his performance degree he also was in the Music Education Certification program at Carnegie Mellon. He currently teaches several pipe bands of various grades in the Houston area as well as maintaining a private studio.
He is an active competitor, competing at the highest level, Professional. Some solo competition highlights include the overall prize at the United States Piping Foundation in the amateur ranks, prize being free airfare and two-weeks tuition in Scotland, and, the Boreraig Trophy for Open Piobaireachd in 2012. He has been chosen as the representative for the United States for three consecutive years (2011, 12, 13) at the prestigious MacCrimmon competition at France's Festival Interceltique de Lorient.
Other performance highlights include playing concerts with such celebrated acts as the Grammy-winning Chieftains, award-winning Bonnie Rideout, Grammy-nominated John Doyle and Jerry O'Sullivan. Nick has also performed for famous dignitaries such as in the White House for President Obama and Mrs. Obama, the current Prime Minister of Ireland, and the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and has performed on field for three NFL games, as well as three performances competing in the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland as well as France at the highest possible level.
Nick has been featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal and nationwide appearances on NBC (The Today Show) and CBS (Evening News).
Certifications:
Graduate Certificate, Highest Possible, SCQF Level 8 Certificate, PDQB Level 6 Piping - Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board, Scotland
Graduate Exam, Highest Possible - Eastern United States Pipe Band Association
Honors & Awards:
Boreraig Trophy, Professional Piobaireachd Winner - Colonial Highland Gathering, 2012
Bratach a' Phiobaire, Overall Tropy and Banner, Professional - Inverness Highland Games, Scotland, 2013
Overall Winner, Grade 1 - United States Piping Foundation, 2010
MSR Winner, Grade 1 - United States Piping Foundation, 2011
March Winner, Professional - Georgetown, Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario, 2013
March Winner, C - Rosneath Highland Games, Scotland, 2013
Strathspey/Reel Winner, C - Inverary Highland Games, 2013
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Weddings:
I can play during any part of your wedding that you would like. I understand that I am being hired to add something special to a very important day in your life, so I will come to rehearsals to make sure that everything is to your liking. I have a large repertoire of appropriate music for the occasion and can also compose a piece of music for the occasion if you would like. Contact me and we can discuss the details and any requests or concerns you may have.
Funerals:
I am available to play during the ceremony/mass and/or at graveside. I can play popular hymns, such as Amazing Grace, Be Still My Soul, and many other Scottish/Irish airs and laments. If it is a child who has died, I will play for no charge.
Other Events:
I am available to play for any imaginable event. Bagpipes add a very special and memorable touch to any event. I have performed at all types of parties. From retirements, to birthday parties (I can play The Happy Birthday Song), to anniversaries, to holiday parties (for which I can play many Christmas songs), to sporting events, or any other imaginable event; I can do it all. I also put on concerts and recitals upon request. I can easily play for an hour and a half if necessary.