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

Will travel up to 100 miles

  • Avg 5.0 | 164 Reviews
  • 287 Verified Bookings
  • Member Since 2012
  • 14 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 | 164 Reviews

See all 164 Reviews

Review by Steven D.

Church ServiceReviewed on May 24, 2023From Fredericksburg, VA

Wonderful! Mr. Arthur was punctual, professional, accommodating and entertaining!

J.R. Arthur:

Steven, Thank you for that very kind review. It truly means a lot to me. Go Navy, Beat Army!! JR

Review by Sandra R.

Family ReunionReviewed on May 18, 2023From Spotsylvania, VA

J.R. offered a perfect blend of music and commentary that was both respectful and humorous on the occasion of our family gathering to remember our mother. He sought guidance regarding our wishes for this event and delivered perfectly!

Review by Alice W.

WeddingReviewed on April 29, 2023From Madison Heights, VA

J.R. was an absolute delight to work with! He is a terrific communicator, was enthusiastic about playing for our wedding, suggested tunes which we chose from, dressed beautifully in his Prince Charlie attire and kilt, amused us and our guests with his sparkling personality and anecdotes, and played hauntingly beautiful pipes. There were moments when our timeline went a bit off the rales; and J. R. rolled with the flow, making perfect adjustments without needing to be asked. I cannot imagine have chosen anyone else - certainly no one that would be better - for our wedding. J.R. is the best!

Awards & Badges

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Song List

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  • 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

Calendar

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• : Booked Events

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Date Selected: 6/8/2023

Booked Events

: The Bash Verified Bookings

Upcoming Events

June 26, 2023 • Funeral
Mon10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Washington, DC
October 21, 2023 • Funeral
Sat1:30 PM - 2:30 PM King George, VA

Past Events

June 2, 2023 • Community Event
Fri6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Richmond, VA
May 24, 2023 • Church Service
Wed6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Fredericksburg, VA
May 18, 2023 • Family Reunion
Thu1:30 PM - 1:45 PM Spotsylvania, VA
April 29, 2023 • Wedding
Sat4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Madison Heights, VA
April 15, 2023 • Wedding Ceremony
Sat5:00 PM - 5:45 PM Glen Allen, VA
April 1, 2023 • Funeral
Sat11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Dahlgren, VA
March 31, 2023 • Celebration
Fri5:30 PM - 6:00 PM Leesburg, VA
March 18, 2023 • Celebration
Sat12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Culpeper, VA
February 25, 2023 • Funeral
Sat10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Rockville, MD
November 12, 2022 • Wedding Ceremony
Sat5:00 PM - 5:15 PM Castleton, VA
September 23, 2022 • Wedding Ceremony
Fri3:00 PM - 3:15 PM Tappahannock, VA
September 17, 2022 • Picnic
Sat5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Fredericksburg, VA

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