Welcome
I perform throughout Northern California at weddings, memorials,
parties, openings and ceremonial events of all types.
The sound of
the pipes
lends an elegant touch to any event whether somber or celebratory.
With over
30 years as a professional piper and a repertoire of hundreds of tunes,
I work
closely with clients to select exactly the right music for their setting!
Not all bagpipers sound the same. If you are
thinking of hiring a piper listen to him first:
Click and Listen to Amazing Grace
( from my CD: "Art Music for the Highland Bagpipe: Meditations & Marches") Click and Listen to A Portion of the tune- War or Peace
( from my CD: " Piobaireachds of the Western Fencibles Regiment")Recent Thank You letters / Testimonials:
2016 Robert Burns Birthday Supper Easily the best Burns Night since OZ. No amount of playing would have been too much. The host asked for and got his favorite tunes. "Brose and Butter" brought everyone to the table. The haggis came later with "The Muckin O Geordies Byre ". Neil Gow's Farewell to Whiskey" preceded the toast. The piobaireachd was The MacLeod's Controversy" complete with an attempt at historic al explanation.. Never been asked to play any of these runes. It was a privilege to do it.
August, 2014, Lake Tahoe: Peter the Piper was a delight to work with, both before and during the wedding. He was recommended to us by a friend in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was courteous and professional, and had lots of great suggestions for music to make our wedding day all the more special. When I asked him if he'd be willing to learn a Jewish piece for our recessional ("Dodi Li" I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine), he gladly accepted the challenge! He found the music, learned the piece, and executed it beautifully at our wedding. He showed up on time, dressed to the nines in his stunning kilt and festive attire, and kept our guests entertained with lovely music. We had a very young musician who wanted to play for us as well, and Peter was very kind, working alongside our 12 year old pianist, letting her play when she wanted to, and stepping in when she was ready for a break. It was a lovely, stress-free, collaborative day, and we were able to focus on our guests and just enjoy the music! All of our friends and family LOVED Peter's performance, and many asked to take pictures with him . We will forever remember the beautiful music he played, and the wonderful day we had, which was made all the more special by having a wonderful bagpiper serenading us! . When he came and joined in on the dancing, my night was complete! - Ornah & Jonathan Broom
December, 2012 Peter Kapp played a wonderful farewell to my uncle Col Stanley McMaster in the Marin hills in December 2012. Not only was his music both inspirational and moving, but he cut a magnificent figure in full highland fig, standing silhouetted against the afternoon sun. His presence both enhanced and dignified a sad but important occasion in our family history'. Cheers,
Peter Millar
( author: All Gone to Look for America, 1978; the Berlin Wall, my part on its downfall)
November 2012 Peter Kapp played the bagpipes at my father's funeral last week. His music and presentation made for a wonderful tribute to my father's Northern Irish heritage. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to recommend him. I will be forever grateful for his contribution to the ceremony. Thanks again, Peter
Marnie MacMasters and family
May 25, 2012 Dear Peter, I just wanted to write you and tell you how much I appreciated what you did for us, yesterday, at my father-in-law's funeral. Your playing was amazing and everyone commented on how nice it was that you were there and how great your playing is. You were professional, sympathetic, and intuitive. I can't tell you how glad I am that somehow I was able to pick you out of all the other bagpipers in the area.
As my 12-year-old son said, "Wow! The bagpiper really made me feel emotion. Really sad." Which is exactly what I wanted to happen - so that the experience could be more real for him. And, then my son added, "he really made the whole day."
And, thank you for playing "ode to joy." Beethoven is my most favorite composer and I loved that you ended the ceremony with that cry to heaven.
Best to you, Peter. - Mae McLean
Credits and Accomplishments:
- Credits include two film sound tracks: Disney Studios "Bed Knobs and Broom Sticks" and 20th Century Fox "Patton" as well as Television appearances.
- Played in Washington DC inside the Capitol Rotunda for a Peace Corps Event and at the Arlington Cemetery.
- Have performed at weddings in Canada, Portugal, Colombia, and in Scotland. Played recitals in USA and in Mexico.
- Performed at Burns Night Suppers in California and in Australia.
- Have competed as a soloist in USA, Canada, and Scotland and have played in four top-level competition bands.
- Played at countless memorials and military funerals
- Studied piping with the best in the business, primarily with the late Donald Ramsay.
- Have played recitals in Sicily and in Kenya.
- Performed at folk festivals in Poland.
- Busked all over Switzerland and in Vienna.
- Taught bagpipes at Humboldt State University, In California, in the Scottish Studies program and played as part of the Scottish studies a series of classical bagpipe music recitals in Arcata, California, on their radio
station KHSU.