NOTE: In addition to the pipes, the Irish Whistle can be fun at parties. Also, a
Celtic Music Performance can be presented on different instruments –This is really fun for Irish or Scottish guests, and traditional songs can be sung where everyone joins in!
Birthday Parties
The pipes are a fun surprise for birthdays! The piper will typically march in playing, walk up to the birthday honoree and play a couple of tunes, and then play “Happy Birthday” on the pipes as everyone joins in singing. The pipes can then continue playing for as long as desired. If there are any Irish step dancers in the house, or just folks who like to dance.. all the better! And any kids LOVE to follow the piper around and march behind him! (The Irish Whistle can also be played, in addition to the pipes.) (See also Celtic Music Performance.)
Anniversary Parties
The pipes can be a wonderful addition to an anniversary party, either as a surprise or as a planned addition. (See also Irish Whistle and Celtic Music Performance.)
Retirement Parties
The pipes can be a great surprise for the guest of honor, and can get folks tapping their feet and even dancing! Plus, “For He/She’s a Jolly Good Fellow” sounds great on the pipes! (See also Irish Whistle and Celtic Music Performance.)
Family Reunions
The pipes make a fun addition to family reunions. For any children present, it can be fun to march around with the piper, and for the older generations, it can be at treat to hear some traditional instruments, and join in singing some of the ”old songs”! (See Irish Whistle and Celtic Music Performance.)
St. Patrick’s Day Parties
What would a St. Pat’s party be without the pipes? The crowd roars as the piper enters in full kilt! He plays a medley of traditional Irish tunes, takes requests, and gets everyone tapping their feet and dancin’ a jig! If desired, music can also be played on the Irish whistle, small pipes, bodhran (Irish drum) and spoons, and traditional Irish songs can be sung. (See also Irish Whistle and Celtic Music Performance.)
Robert Burns Parties
The pipes are an annual tradition at many Burns parties. Typically, the piper leads in the Haggis for dinner, and then plays a medley of Scottish tunes. Songs can also be played on the “tin whistle” (flute), which is now used in Scotland to play traditional music. (See below). This can work well if the piper is playing for a while, since the soft flute makes a nice contrast to the loud pipes. And traditional Scottish songs can be sung, including songs set to Robert Burns poems.
The Irish Whistle (aka “penny whistle” or “tin whistle”)
The Irish whistle is a small, sweet flute which can play either slow, gentle melodies or quick, joyful dance tunes. Traditional Irish songs such as “Danny Boy”, “Tura Lura” and “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” sound beautiful on the whistle, and can be a great way to get folks singing. Nowadays, it also used by Scottish bands to play traditional songs and music from Scotland – For example, “Loch Lomond” and “Wild Mountain Thyme” sound lovely on the whistle. At parties, young children and even infants often enjoy the intimate and high-spirited sounds of this flute. And whenever a jig is played on the whistle, dancing is sure to follow! (See Videos and Audio samples.)
Celtic Music Performance
A full Celtic music performance can be presented, which includes bagpipes, Irish Whistle, bodhran (Irish drum), smallpipes, spoons, and singing. Sheet music can also be passed around so that everyone can join in singing traditional songs.
