HIRE A PIPER FROM $150 - ALL MELBOURNE SUBURBS


Leading the Bridal Party to the Polly Woodside, Melbourne. Photo courtesy of Jackson Loria.
 
FORMER WORLD, AUSTRALIAN AND VICTORIAN GRADE ONE PIPE BAND CHAMPION

SOLO PIPER, PIPING DUOS, DRUMMERS, MINI & FULL BANDS AVAILABLE

MELBOURNE, ALL SUBURBS, COUNTRY VICTORIA
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.

I have been playing the bagpipes as a soloist and in bands for the last 36 years and have a wealth of professional experience. I have been a full-time piper since 1990, spending 15 years with the Victoria Police Pipe Band and working freelance since 2005.

Amongst my achievements in piping:
  • Since 1993, I have been an accredited Piping Judge in Australia with both the Advanced Piping Certificate (Australian Pipe Band Association) and the Adjudicators Certificate (Australian Pipe Band Association).
  • Performing as a soloist with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Victorian State Orchestra, Marion Martin, Eric Burden and many other artists. 
Please see here to read more about my background.

SAMPLE SOUND FILES

The following samples are a small selection of tunes in order to demonstrate my standard.

A more expansive repertoire can be found here.

AMAZING GRACE

THE BROWN HAIRED MAIDEN

HIGHLAND CATHEDRAL

MARIE'S WEDDING

MULL OF KINTYRE

THE NORTHERN LIGHTS OF ABERDEEN

SCOTLAND THE BRAVE

THOSE ENDEARING YOUNG CHARMS


 
Leading the Bridal Party at the Immigration Museum. Photo courtesy of Leo Farrell.

PRICES

My fees are based upon the time required at the venue (excluding getting ready and packing up) and include any amount of piping within that time.

They are also inclusive of traveling costs for within the Melbourne metropolitan area.
  • Up to 15 minutes: $150
  • Up to 30 minutes: $170
  • Up to 1 hour: $200
  • Up to 2 hours: $230
  • Over 2 hours: please contact me for a quote.
  • New Year's Eve: $170 for up to 15 minutes.
My 15 minute option is for short engagements such as Birthdays or Retirements or playing at the start only of a Wedding or Funeral. If I was needed only at the end of a Wedding or Funeral, I would still need to arrive ahead of time, which would be a 30 minute charge.

Please note there is a $10 surcharge for CBD Parking.

 All fees include an optional consultation at our home address to audition tunes demonstrated on the bagpipes and to discuss your requirements. 30 minutes is normally enough time for this or you may prefer to organise everything over the phone or via email.



Piping for a Wedding at Ace-Hi Ranch, Boneo.
 
WHY HIRE ME
  • 36 years experience playing the bagpipes.
  • 26 years experience as a professional piper at a Grade 1 standard.
  • Former World, Australian and Victorian Grade 1 Pipe Band Champion.
  • Piped in concerts with artists such as André Rieu and The Seekers.
  • Piped as a soloist with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Victorian State Orchestra, Marion Martin and Eric Burden.
  • Holder of the Advanced Piping Certificate.
  • Qualified Piping Adjudicator.
  • Recipient of the 2012 Sir Rupert Hamer Award for services to pipe bands.
  • Extensive repertoire, with a focus on playing well-known, traditional songs and tunes.
  • If possible, I am happy to adapt "non-bagpipe" songs to fit the pipes.
  • I offer a professional service and ensure that all details are planned out well in advance.
  • Short notice is not a problem, so don't hesitate to contact me if you think you have left it too late.
UNIFORM

The uniform worn will include the traditional Scottish kilt, in your choice of 6 tartans: Royal Stewart, Ramsay Blue, Hamilton Grey, MacKenzie and MacDonald, as illustrated below. Also available is the Murray Of Atholl tartan.
 
            

                     
 
I AM AVAILABLE FOR THE FOLLOWING
  • Wedding Ceremonies
  • Wedding Receptions
  • Wedding Anniversaries
  • 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 Festivals
  • Anywhere you need a Piper 
 

 
 

The written content of this website is 100% original.

Ross Bates
0427 181 164 or 0411 168 146
rabates1@live.com

ABN: 24 591 526 576

Website created and maintained by Ross Bates
Last updated 28/12/2017

© 2017 Ross Bates