The Bagpiper

Piping in Las Vegas | The Bagpiper

2011-12-20T14:53:00.000-06:00

Well for the second time in a year, I played the bagpipes in Las Vegas! It's all been said before, so with fear of sounding cliche I'll leave it at that.

This time, I had the fortune of playing at the M-Resort which is a beautiful hotel situated about 4 miles south of the Strip. This fantastic resort is certainly one for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Las Vegas, but expect pure luxury.

I was also lucky enough to have been playing with two very wonderful pipers while there. Brilliant sound guys! On the final morning of the MacDon North American Sales Meeting, we each began to play in separate restaurants around the resort, then joined up in the main lobby of the hotel. Anyone that was within earshot gathered to follow us down to the banquet hall for the morning sessions. No doubt a few dealers will be talking about this event for many years to come.

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
e. email
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Indian - Scottish Wedding | The Bagpiper

2011-12-19T13:13:00.004-06:00

This past summer I was honoured to have taken place in an amazing wedding ceremony. It all started when I met Tina and Garrett at least a year in advance to play a few tunes for them to pick from. At the time they knew they needed a Piper, but didn't know exactly what music they wanted for sure. After playing for a bit we settled on the perfect music. I had a great time that day getting to know the lovely couple while having the chance to entertain them with traditional Scottish music.

A few months later Tina called me and asked how I would like to play with a Dhol drummer. At first I was hesitant, but after discussing further I thought I would give it a try. I was provided with a phone number and only the musician's first name - Jug. Later that day I called Jug to see what he thought of the idea. When I got him on the phone, he was an enthusiastic guy who was willing to give it a try. We planned to meet at Assiniboine Park later in the week to blast off a few tunes.

When we met, everything fell into place immediately. He showed me his Dhol drum and explained its origin from the Punjab region of India and that the name was a Punjabi word. He told me about the double sided drum with two pitches and then played a sample for me. WOW! I can honestly say that that is the loudest drum I have ever heard. Needless to say, it worked perfectly with the Bagpipes and a small crowd of people began to gather around us. We played a few more tunes together and then called it quits for the day.

The day of the wedding was hot and sunny - perfect for a celebration. I was prepped and ready to go early so I just waited for the couple to arrive. Tina asked me to play a tune called "Love Divine" while she walked down the aisle. This is a tune that I had never played before so I had to learn it prior to the wedding and it worked out brilliantly - with it's very melodic tune structure. At the end of the wedding, I played a nice upbeat hornpipe called "Clumsy Lover" of all names! It's a great tune that really puts a lift in your step and rounded out the ceremony nicely.

Later, at the reception was the real surprise for the guests. Jug and I met quickly for one last practice session and then played for Tina and Garrett as they entered the reception hall as a newly married couple. The Dhol drum worked so well with the Pipes that it really got people clapping along with the beat of the tune of "Scotland the Brave". What a wonderful way to be introduced for the first time as a married couple!

I would like to thank Liane Bergen for the wonderful photographs that she captured from the wedding day. I have worked alongside Liane in the past and without question I have seen her professionalism and ability to portray the events with originality. I wish to have the opportunity to work with her again in the future.

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
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t. 204-981-1182

Piping in North Dakota | The Bagpiper

2011-10-20T14:43:00.002-05:00

Over the years I have played in Grand Forks, Fargo and many other small towns throughout North Dakota. I have always been pleasantly surprised when Piping at an event in the USA as I have found people to be so welcoming and interested in culture and history. Not only that, but people are just so kind and willing to take time to talk and get to know more about their Canadian neighbours.

A few years back, I played at a wedding in Bismark, ND for a lovely young couple. When I arrived at the church a few hours early for the ceremony, I had some time to just check things out. Not only was the town beautiful, but the architecture of this magnificent church was spectacular with it's huge steeple and sky-high ceiling. What a location for a wedding!

Once the wedding was through I was invited for a few drinks with some of the family who was so interested to get to know me. We talked about everything including farming, Scottish culture and of course Canadian culture.

All in all, it was a wonderful day with perfect weather and friendly people. What else could you ask for?

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
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w. TheBagpiper.ca

Wedding at Elmhurst Golf Course | The Bagpiper

2011-08-23T11:25:00.007-05:00

These photographs show a lovely outdoor wedding that took place at the Elmhurst Golf and Country Club earlier this summer. What a wonderful setting for a wedding and what a wonderful couple to work with!

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
w. TheBagpiper.ca

Thomas and Kerri's Wedding | The Bagpiper

2011-08-23T09:58:00.003-05:00

Here's a few photographs that I received from a very lovely couple that I played for last year. It was such a pleasure to work with Thomas and Kerri as they were so easy going and fun. Interestingly, Thomas's sister Corey just tied the knot this year - and I played at her wedding too! As soon as I have photo's, I'll get them up here too.

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
w. The Bagpiper.ca

Trip to Scotland | The Bagpiper

2011-05-04T10:19:00.004-05:00

Well after just returning from Scotland a few days ago I thought I would write a quick post about one of my highlights.

While I was wrapping up my rather quick week-long first time visit to Scotland, I was lucky to have been able to slip into the highlands for two days. I traveled from Kilmarnock on the South-West part of Scotland out past Perth, Stirling and finally into a small village called Dunkeld. Without question the little town wrapped in a valley of trees was as picturesque as I could ever have wished for!

My goal was to visit Hamish Moore and his son Fin, who are pipe makers. I had been following their handy-work for over 10 years now and always wishing I could purchase a set of their sought after smallpipes or borderpipes. Each set is hand-made with exacting precision. Not only do they make their own pipes, but they also make the reeds too - and that's no easy task! After spending over 4 hours with Fin in his workshop, listening to him play each different type of bagpipe that he makes, I couldn't help but want a set even more - maybe in the future I suppose!

Luckily I had all of the next day to spend wandering around the little towns of Birnam and Dunkeld - each placed across the river from the other. The little Bed & Breakfast I stayed at was on the Dunkeld bank and it backed onto a huge rolling hill (or mountain?). In the morning without looking at a map, I decided to go hiking up to the top of Birnam hill to play my pipes at the highest point. As usual, I did not realize the magnitude of the trek, nor the height of the hill... and I am never happy following a well groomed trail so I decided to take my own way up, and found it to be very challenging indeed! As I struggled my way up I found myself on a sheep path that literally was only inches away from the edge of a sharp and very high cliff.... luckily it lead me to a resting spot where I found ruins of a very old home.

As I worked my way up to the top of the "hill" I met some other people who were so generous to take some photos of my while I was playing my Pipes. Please enjoy!

Until next time - cheers!

Kyle Campbell

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Fashion Show & Fund Raiser | The Bagpiper

2011-03-24T11:35:00.002-05:00

A few years back, I was asked to take part in a Fashion show at the Nygard International store in Winnipeg. It was quite an event with many celeberties and the press in attendance. Here's a few photos from the event.

Cheers,

Kyle Campbell

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Jakes Gift - A Performance On Stage | The Bagpiper

2011-03-14T11:34:00.011-05:00

Back in November I was invited to take part in a play called JAKES GIFT by Julia Mackey. I was asked to play as the guests arrived and then once everyone took their seats, I played on stage to set the mood of the show with a quick set on the Pipes. Thankfully, the crowd loved it!

Not only was I able to take part in the opening of the play, I was also invited to watch the show too! I don't think I could say enough good things about the story and the acting that I was so fortunate to have witnessed.

The story was based around a WWII veteran who returns to Juno Beach for the 60'th Anniversary of D-Day. Interestingly, Julia performed all of the characters, flipping back and forth so skillfully that you would have thought there were three people on stage at any given time! With very limited props and strong lighting, she was able to pull the audience into her story to bring a tear to the eye and then set us laughing out loud. Simply amazing!

I thought that this would be a fantastic opportunity to get some photos of my performance so I quickly looked for a photographer. Luckily Cynthia Bettencourt, a friend of my brother and a wonderful photographer was able to come out to capture the event. I'd like to thank her for the wonderful images she was able to capture. Be sure to visit her website to take a look at some of her other wonderful work.

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
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Inn at the Forks - A Perfect Wedding Venue | The Bagpiper

2011-03-08T08:59:00.009-06:00

Early in the New Year, I was invited to Pipe a new bride and groom into their reception at the "Inn at the Forks", downtown Winnipeg. Being that I had not attended a wedding at this particular venue, I visited the hotel a few days early to just take a look around for familiarity. To top it off, the Pipers were a surprize for the groom so we could not be seen by the guests or the wedding party.

Needless to say, Eddie and I were a hit. We fully surprised Mark while Dyan was elated to see us there!

Ramona Garbald

Take a look at all of these lovely photographs taken by photographer Ramona Garbald. I would suggest that you take a look at her fantastic blog and website. There you can find photography from other weddings that she has captured.

I'd like to also point out that Ramona is part of the photography team called Sterling Images and I suggest that you visit their website if you are looking for some additional wedding ideas.

For more information about the venue, please visit the Inn At the Forks website.

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
w. TheBagpiper.ca

Bagpiper at a Hockey Tournament | The Bagpiper

2011-03-01T17:15:00.006-06:00

A few weeks ago I played at a pee wee hockey league tournament called the Vetrans Cup. This was my 15th year to play at the opening ceremonies for this event. As always, it is my pleasure to take part in such a wonderful cause. I would like to thank Amanda Lefley from the Stonewall Argus and Teulon Times for the following photographs.

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
w. TheBagpiper.ca

What makes the Bagpipes so special that it requires a separate practice instrument?

2010-11-25T11:36:00.002-06:00

The Bagpipes are a unique instrument, unlike any other on the planet. They are so complicated, in fact, that they require their own proprietary instrument just to practice on!

One of the reasons that the bagpipe is such a special instrument is that it is the only woodwind instrument to employ the use of more than one reed. The reeds of the chanter and the three drones are sounding ALL of the time, meaning that there is an absence of available silence. Due to this fact, it makes it impossible to play the same note (tone) more than once in succession. The remedy to this problem is the insertion of what are called "grace notes", or other embellishments.

Learning to play grace notes is an entire phase in a piper's education, which requires a lot of practice, making a practice chanter essential. If someone was to simply pick up a full set of pipes and attempt to learn with them, they would most certainly fail. There are so many things going on at once that it can be overwhelming for the individual. The actual playing of the notes is only one area that the beginner piper needs to learn!

The reeds in a bagpipe require a constant, steady, and unvarying air pressure in order to keep them in tune with each other. If this is not supplied, your pipes will sound like a bunch of cats fighting with each other rather than the majestic instrument it is. Learning the techniques for blowing into the bag, squeezing the bag, blowing again, and squeezing again requires a lot of meticulous practice to keep the pressure constant. In this respect, the bagpipes are more physically demanding than most other instruments. So it calls for some muscles to be used in unaccustomed ways.

The bagpipe is a loud instrument (if not the loudest!), and because the pitch of the instrument is fairly high, it makes the listener perceive it as even louder than it really is. When a person is practicing new tunes, its best to use a practice chanter (which is pitched one octave lower than a bagpipe chanter) so as not to annoy the neighbours!

The bagpipe is in a league of its own in the instrument world, and therefore requires something different to practice with than most other instruments would. Learning all of the fundamentals of piping is important to be successful in the piping world. It is used to be a bridge or pathway to the full set of pipes, but also used to learn new tunes even when you "graduate" to the full set.

Note: re-post from Kinnaird Bagpipes

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
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Gates on Roblin | The Bagpiper | Winnipeg Manitoba

2010-11-08T14:17:00.006-06:00

I piped at a beautiful wedding ceremony at the Gates on Roblin this past August and it was quite an elaborate event. There was an amazing horse drawn carriage, doves and a Piper of course. All kidding aside, the venue was certainly a highlight. I've played at the Gates on Roblin a few times over the past few years and without question they handle events with a great deal of class.

Even though the wedding had been thought out to great detail, Cordelia was very willing have a little fun during the photos, as you can see below. As you can see by Roger's expression it's obvious that Piping should be left to the professionals. LOL. Without question we had a great time that day and I wish Roger and Cordelia all the best in their future.

Thanks goes out to Liane Bergen Photography for the images who took the photos (shown here) on behalf of Elaine Halpert Photography. Please visit their websites for more information.

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
w. TheBagpiper.ca

Wedding Hecla Oasis Resort | The Bagpiper

2010-10-28T17:17:00.005-05:00

Here are a few photos of Johanna & Jason's wedding at Hecla Oasis Resort thanks to Jeremy Dueck Photography. If you're looking for a fantastic country location for your wedding, this could be the one for you. Please enjoy.

Cheers,

Kyle Campbell

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Lower Fort Garry: A Great Wedding Location | The Bagpiper

2010-10-13T12:17:00.011-05:00

Check out these brilliant photographs! Photographer, Rob Lovatt from Keywest Photo was kind enough to pass along some shots that he took at a wedding we both attended this past August. If you're looking for a great photographer, Rob is a great asset.

The Planning

Over a year ago, I met with Wayne and Kathy to discuss their wedding plans at Lower Fort Garry. I found out early that these two had grand plans for their ceremony which was to be held outdoors. As a Piper, I'd be an key part of their wedding theme by playing at different key points throughout the ceremony. The cool part was that and they'd be coming in by horse drawn carriage! It was clear that Wayne and Kathy would get married in style.

The Wedding Day

On the day of the wedding we had record rainfall and intense winds, not at all what Wayne and Kathy had planned for. With most of the rain tapering off prior to the start of the ceremony, plans were changed to an indoor wedding. Luckily Lower Fort Garry's facilities include a wonderful indoor theatre where the actual ceremony took place. In the end, you can see by the photographs everything turned out just perfect. The setting of the "fort" was spectacular and really added some flair to the images

The Fort

I hadn't been to the "fort" for a number of years and to be honest a lot hadn't changed, but that's a good thing. The first thing you'll see is the high limestone walls of the fort. As you walk through the gate the first thing you see is a large building with a deck surrounding it called the "Big House". There are many buildings and antiques throughout the facility making it a great place to visit to learn a little more of our heritage.

From what I see, Lower Fort Garry is the ideal location to host your special wedding day ceremony. Things can change quickly when it comes to an outdoor wedding, but luckily the "fort" was prepared to handle it properly.

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
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Outdoor Wedding | Manitoba | The Bagpiper

2010-10-12T17:15:00.007-05:00

This past August I was invited to play at a beautiful outdoor wedding south of Winnipeg just outside a small town called Ile des Chenes. The weather couldn't have been better, well it was hot, but it was a sunny day and not a cloud in the sky. The setting was unbelievable. It was a fantastic grain farm with gorgeous flowers and well developed trees. There were dozens of white chairs all lined up in rows for the family and friends to sit and enjoy the wonderful wedding ceremony. The couple and their wedding party were lucky enough to enjoy the shade of a huge weeping willow tree for the duration of the ceremony.

I was fortunate to have met Marien, a wonderful photographer at the wedding and she was kind enough to provide me with a few sample images of her work. If you'd like to look at other images from this and other weddings she has captured, please visit her Lucky Girl Blog.

While you're at it, please visit her website Lucky Girl Photography for more information.

Thanks Marien!

Cheers,

Kyle Campbell

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Outdoor Wedding | The Bagpiper | Winnipeg, Manitoba

2010-09-15T17:21:00.003-05:00

Here I am Piping the ring bearer, and flower girl
up the aisle while the bride enters in the distance.

Here's a few preliminary images from a wedding I attended back in June. I hope to have more up soon to really show the perfect setting for an outdoor wedding.

The location for this wedding was in a very small town called Stead, Manitoba - not far from Patricia Beach. It is a town of less than 60 people with a few tiny churches and a lovely community centre. This particular day was a hot one, at around 30C and not a lot of wind.

Thank you goes out to Sarah Forster & Shaun Ings for inviting me out to their special occasion. They are a very happy and fun couple and I hope I run into you guys again soon.

Here I am entertaining the guests as they
arrived for the wedding ceremony.

Cheers,

Kyle Campbell
e. info@thebagpiper.ca

w. TheBagpiper.ca

Wedding Locations in Winnipeg, Manitoba | The Bagpiper

2010-09-11T11:51:00.004-05:00

There are so many choices when it comes to locations to hold you wedding ceremony. A few concerns come to mind initially. First you need to determine if it will be a large or small gathering. While the location of your ceremony will either be close to your family and friends, or it should have rooms enough to let them stay overnight. On the other hand, your budget will make a big part in the final decision.

The great thing about Manitoba is that there are many really special locations to choose from and this will allow you to make your wedding day perfect. The list below has been compiled from all of the different venues and locations that I have played the Bagpipes at over the past few years. Although I have some favourites, they all have their special something that will set them apart from the others. If you want a unique, historical, or the ultimate posh facility, you'll find them in any one of the following. Take your time to look at each of the locations to determine which one will work best for you.

They are not listed in any specific order.

Cherry Hill Estates - Steinbach

Fort Garry Hotel - Winnipeg

Lower Fort Garry - Lockport

Fort Gibraltar - St. Boniface

Millennium Centre - Winnipeg

Leo Mol Sculpture Garden - Assiniboine Park

Western Canadian Aviation Museum

Leo Mol Sculpture Garden - Assiniboine Park

The Gates - On Roblin

Hecla Island Resort - Hecla Island

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
e. info@thebagpiper.ca
w. TheBagpiper.ca

Renting a Kilt For Your Wedding | The Bagpiper | Winnipeg, Manitoba

2010-09-03T16:16:00.013-05:00

While most grooms wear a wedding suit or tuxedo on their big day, some men decide to reflect their roots by wearing a kilt. Kilts are traditionally linked with Scotland, but in recent years, people from all the Celtic nations have been taking on the skirted look for weddings. Just like "The Dress" makes the bride really feel the part, a kilt is a ceremonial dress that really marks a special occasion! So here’s some information on choosing the right wedding kilt for you!

Choosing The Tartan

Many men choose their clan’s tartan, that is, the tartan that matches their family name. Some are influenced by their fiance to go for colour combinations that will match the wedding colour scheme, or wear national tartans that can set the tone for the rest of the wedding theme.

Renting or Buying a Kilt?
Although it's really impressive to tell everyone how you bought a new kilt especially for your wedding, likely it will be the only time you wear it. When making this decision, keep in mind that a properly made kilt will cost upwards of $800. Renting a kilt will cost you much less and and you'll be sure to have it on time for your special day.

Underwear
Regardless how you try to avoid the topic, it will come up at some point while you wear a kilt. It is widely recognized that kilts are usually worn without underwear, but beware of the gnarly wool itch. If you're brave enough to go commando, be prepared for many questions from old and young!

So if you and your fiancee want a theme that sets you apart, whether or not you have Celtic heritage you may want to consider an Irish or Scottish kilt wedding. After all you want to have something to tell the grandchildren while the memory is still fresh in your mind.

For more details on renting a kilt, check out Harlequin Costume in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They will be more than capable to help you find what you need for your wedding.

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
e. info@thebagpiper.ca
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Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial | The Bagpiper

2010-05-26T10:57:00.013-05:00

Well I'm back in Winnipeg once again after a great trip to Cleveland, OH. This year was their 25th anniversary and fortunately the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band was invited to play at the event which included a parade, memorial service and a Military Tattoo.

Check out the snipers on the rooftop - yikes!

There were Pipe Bands from:

New York

New Hampshire

Chicago, IL

Bergen County

Cleveland, OH

Ottawa, Ontario

York, Ontario

plus more...

If you look at the first photo right at the top centre, you can see the snipers waiting on rooftop - certainly a different atmosphere than we are used to, but obviously this was a high profile event with many police officers in attendance.

The parade was rather short, but started downtown and ended up at Huntington Park where there is a memorial cenotaph that recognizes fallen police officers from the Greater Cleveland area. In one photograph you can see the bass drums of the NYPD as well as the Bergen County Pipe Band - kinda cool!

The tattoo took place inside a very historic facility downtown called the Cleveland Public Auditorium. I took a few pictures of the massed-band warming up during the rehearsal. You can see that the seating is up high and allows for maximum visibility. I can tell you that when the bands began to march into the hall the crowd went wild - what a feeling that was.

Here you can see the choir (from Ottawa) behind us.

Also a parting shot of me at one of the local establishments right after the tattoo. I can certainly assure you that these people really loved the Bagpipes!

Cheers,

Kyle Campbell

e. info@thebagpiper.ca
w. http://www.thebagpiper.ca/

Gala Awards Dinner & Convention for CME Manitoba | The Bagpiper

2010-03-29T09:50:00.007-05:00

Last week I had the honour of Piping the two head tables into the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) convention in Winnipeg. This organization is key to the success of local manufacturers and exporters especially while our currency is near par with the USA dollar. I have been playing at this event now for four years running.

Many thanks go out to Anthony Fernando of "Your Best Shot" for the photography in this post!

Cheers,

Kyle Campbell

e. info@thebagpiper.ca

w. www.TheBagpiper.ca

University of Winnipeg Convocation 2009 | The Bagpiper

2010-03-26T13:58:00.003-05:00

The Winnipeg Police Pipe Band has been invited to Pipe for the U of W convocation for many years. We are very honoured to take part in this graduation ceremony bi-annually. The WPPB extends congratulations to the University's honorees, award recipients and graduating class.

I have personally taken part in 6 convocations over the past few years and it is truly an honour. This particular image comes from the fall convocation in 2009. I am the second from the left.

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
e. info@thebagpiper.ca
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St. Pattricks Day Celebrations | The Bagpiper - Winnipeg, Manitoba

2010-03-18T15:57:00.004-05:00

Let me start off with a statement that St. Patty's Day can be celebrated by all - Irish or non-Irish descent. I suppose that the Scottish culture is Celtic enough to allow us to partake in this annual celebration - lucky for me!

A local Irish Pub called the Thirsty Lion located on the West end of Winnipeg asked me to be the entertainment for the evening. After visiting the site, I realized that I would need a few others to be able to fill the room with sound so I invited two of the best Pipe Band guys possible - Nathan Mitchell (pipes) and Sean Johnston (snare drum). Though the pictures don't do this event justice, you can see we were quite a hit. We played 5 sets starting at 9pm right up to close.

With enough green beer for one more year, we closed down the pub and even piped the guests out of the bar. What a great time. We seemed to have impressed everyone as we've been booked for next year already. Maybe you'll be able to join us for part of the fun!

PS. Thanks to Patti Fraser for the pictures! Patti is a good friend from my Pipe Band days.

Cheers,

Kyle Campbell

The Bagpiper
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Meeting a Piping Idol - Alisdair Gillies | The Bagpiper

2010-03-09T14:21:00.009-06:00

What a phenomenal weekend! After a long time planning, the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band (the band that I play with) successfully hosted their first Bagpipe Recital. We invited a Alasdair Gillies and Matt MacIsaac, both well known Pipers to perform here in Winnipeg on March 7. The skill level and talent that these boys portrayed was unbelievable. One of the highlights for me was Matt playing not only 1 tin-whistle, but 2 at the same time in harmony!

The day after the Recital, our band benefited from Alasdair’s close attention as he gave us some pointers at our band practice. First we spent some time on the practice chanters, then we went to the big pipes for over an hour. I'm sure that we all picked up quite a number of items from his comments, each will make us a better Pipe Band.

I have added a few pictures from the weekend for your viewing pleasure. Without question, the after-hours piping is where we had the most fun!

It was truly a musical event that will not be forgotten for many years to come.

Cheers,

Kyle Campbell
e. info@thebagpiper.ca

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Piping for an Opening Ceremonies | The Bagpiper in Stonewall, MB

2010-02-24T12:13:00.004-06:00

Here's a few shots of the Opening Ceremonies for the 29th annual Veteran's Cup hockey tournament in Stonewall, MB a few weeks back. This is my 18th year to play at this tournament and it has been a real honour to do so.

Please enjoy the photographs taken by Lana Meier.

Cheers,

Kyle Campbell

e. info@thebagpiper.ca

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Meeting a Hero in Australia | The Bagpiper

2010-01-27T09:23:00.009-06:00

Last December I was very fortunate to travel all the way to Australia for 3 weeks of work. At the same time, I was even more fortunate to have been able to spend part of my trip playing the Bagpipes and meeting others who share the same interest in the instrument. More so, I was able to meet Mark Saul, one of the most revered pipers in the world.

A Little Background:

Mark is well known in the Piping world as a talented writer of new, upbeat music. I would be certain to say that he is one of only a handful of Pipers in the past 20 years that have impacted the scene as much. In 1998, he played with the Victoria Police Pipe Band (Australia) as they won the Grade 1 World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland. A great deal of the music they played that year was written by Mark. It really turned the Piping world on its head. The picture (below) shows the band celebrating their win in 1998.

Back to My Trip:

While in Southern Australia I went to a Pipe Band contest in Dalesford, VIC (about an hour north of Melbourne). My goal was to meet up with Mark Saul and show him an invention that I had been working on. I had designed a Pipe chanter that was adjustable allowing the musician to adjust the pitch of the reed without pulling the chanter out of the bag...it's an ongoing project that hasn't come to market yet. Anyhow all went well, I showed him my chanter and we discussed for a while....Later he and his wife asked me to go to a party with them. How could I say no?

Well the party was an absolutely great time! After much wine and beer, Mark and one of his buddy's pulled out their instruments and began playing. Mark played an Irish Flute, while his friend (I can't remember his name) played a set of Border Pipes. What an absolute blast! They were both extremely talented and it made the evening fly by. I have included a few shots of the party for your viewing pleasure.

Until next time,

Kyle Campbell

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Piping in Orlando | The Bagpiper - A Global Traveler

2010-01-25T19:39:00.011-06:00

Here I am Piping in Orlando, Florida last week. Unfortunately I don't have pictures of my performances, but here is a shot of me practicing in front of Universal Studios. I played for a Dealer Convention at the Hilton Walt Disney World and it went without a hitch. Luckily the weather warmed up at the end of my trip - it was the coldest weather on record... and it wasn't much warmer than here in Winnipeg in January!

I'm back in the country for now...

Kyle Campbell
e. info@thebagpiper.ca

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Photo Session With Carmen Matthews | The Bagpiper | Winnipeg, Manitoba

2010-01-07T16:54:00.013-06:00

Welcome 2010... Happy New Year...is it ever cold outside!

Thinking back to times of warmer weather reminds me of the awesome photo shoot that I had with a good friend and acclaimed photographer - Carmen Matthews.

Carmen has been making a huge impact in Manitoba's Interlake for a number of years. More recently she has opened up a brand new facility right on Main Street in the heart of Stonewall. Please visit her website and blog for more information - PhotographyByCarmen.ca . If you haven't seen some of Carmen's work before, please be sure to visit her new store - it is fantastic.

Here's a little snapshot of some of the photography that Carmen was able to capture.

Thanks Carmen!

Kyle Campbell
e. info@thebagpiper.ca

w. TheWeddingPiper.com

My New Website | The Bagpiper | Winnipeg, Manitoba

2009-12-30T14:04:00.006-06:00

Well it's finally up and running. I started the designs on my new website back in June 2009, but due to a lack of time and unfortunately knowledge, my site had suffered. Don't get me wrong, the old one served its purpose, but the new direction shows more about me than before.

Check it out - TheBagpiper.ca
please let me know your thoughts on the site. Am I missing something?

Cheers,

Kyle Campbell
e. info@thebagpiper.ca
w. TheBapgpiper.ca

Making Great Music | The Bagpiper | Winnipeg, Manitoba

2009-12-18T19:42:00.012-06:00

Digging into my archive of images, I found these shots of the Glenaura Pipe Band playing at the Canmore, Alberta Highland Games. The band was officially in Grade 3 but four of us played up to Grade 2 that year and won the quartet competition. Needless to say I was very excited to have done so well. It was one of my great achievements in the Piping realm.

By the way, that's me on the left in the second photograph.

Cheers,

Kyle Campbell
e. info@thebagpiper.ca

w. TheBagpiper - Music Samples

15 Minutes of Fame | Winnipeg, Mantioba

2009-12-09T17:08:00.005-06:00

Back in 2001 I had the fortune of taking part in a History Chanel show called "Pioneer Quest - A Year In The Real West". It was quite exciting for us small-town people from Argyle, Manitoba. We found out through the grapevine that the History Chanel would be filming a full year documentary just down the road from our small town. The theme was set as 1875 and 2 couples would use tools from that era, essentially as pioneers of the land. They would break land, build shelters and survive using technologies from many years ago.

My involvement was certainly small, but a highlight nonetheless. As the year rolled on into December, the 2 couples had finally had enough seclusion and lack of music, and I thought that I could maybe just add some entertainment. On December 24, 2000, my buddy Bob Grant and I packed up our Scottish Smallpipes and tracked into their "farm" as a surprise for the couples. We found out later that we'd be a part of the Christmas edition of the show called - "101 Chopping Days 'til Christmas". Luckily for us the Treadway's & Logies were thrilled with our music and to top it off they served us up a huge meal.

A point that I think about often is that it was -30C outside while it was probably +25C inside their cozy little cabin. What a way to celebrate Christmas and certainly something to remember as the temperature once again hits -30C tonight!

Cheers,

Kyle Campbell

The Bagpiper
e. info@thebagpiper.ca

w. www.TheBagpiper.ca

Weddings at the Western Canadian Aviation Museum | Winnipeg Manitoba

2009-12-02T07:30:00.003-06:00

A few months back I had the pleasure of Piping at a wedding at the Western Canadian Aviation Museum in Winnipeg. It had been a number of years since I was in the facility and I had never dreamed of it being used for a wedding function. I was pleasantly mistaken when I first walked in. What a cool place to get married - talk about a unique backdrop!

Thanks goes out to David Lauder for the photography!

Enjoy,

Kyle Campbell

The Bagpiper

p. 204-981-1182

e. info@thebagpiper.ca

w. http://www.thebagpiper.ca/

How Much Do Bagpipes Cost?

2009-11-23T11:21:00.006-06:00

Most people don't really know what Bagpipes are worth - and it's quite understandable.

Cheap Bagpipes

$200-$400 (CAD) will buy you pieces of wood shaped like a bagpipe. These are available through many music stores and on-line auction houses. Unfortunately these sets have poor tonal quality, lack stability and require lots of air thus reducing the piper's ability to play very long or very well.

Good Bagpipes

$1100-2000 (CAD) for a basic set will likely be a decent instrument. The lower range may not be made of African blackwood, may have no projecting mounts and may not be combed or beaded. The upper end of this range will be made of African blackwood, will have these features and will have nickel plated tubing over the "slides".

Top-end Bagpipes

$5500 - and up (CAD) will buy a lovely set of Pipes with imitation ivory projecting mounts and and engraved hallmarked sterling silver. The cost with real ivory is closer to $7500 - if you can get it.

Used Bagpipes

This is sometimes where you can find a deal. They are occasionally available for less than new, but can be frought with mistreatment, poor upkeep and lack of maintenance. If you find a set and want them appraised, I would be happy to evaluate them for you.

Here's a helpful link if you want to do some research on vintage bagpipes!

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell

t. 204-981-1182
e. info@thebagpiper.ca
w. TheBagpiper.ca

How Much Does a Bagpiper Cost? | Winnipeg, Manitoba

2009-11-23T10:33:00.007-06:00

The cost of a performing Bagpiper depends on many things:

What is the occasion?

How much time is involved?

Is there travel involved?

How many tunes do you want?

For a simple performance of thirty minutes or less, you should expect to pay at a minimum $200-$300 plus transportation and lodging (if an overnight stay is required).

There is a lot involved in making the Pipes playable in different locations. Changes in humidity, temperature (air conditioning), and even barometric pressure (altitude) play a part. For this reason, a 5-10 minute performance will require significantly more time than that just for the Pipes to settle in. Whereas a 30 minute performance will take even more time to prepare for.

Keep in mind that you are paying not only for the playing time, but for the Pipers time in making sure my pipes sound properly.

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
t. 204-981-1182
e. info@thebagpiper.ca
w. TheBagpiper.ca

Bagpipe Player | Wedding in Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba

2009-10-26T17:52:00.003-05:00

Hey once again... Here's another couple from Alberta who recently got hitched in the lovely city of Winnipeg. I just thought I would pass along some pictures of Brian & Bonnie. Here I am piping them out at the end of their wedding ceremony held at Assiniboine Park this past September. The location was brilliant and the flowers were gorgeous. Keep this place in mind if you want a beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony.

Cheers,

Kyle Campbell
t. (204) 981-1182
e. info@thebagpiper.ca
w. TheBagpiper.ca

Book Signing | Ted Barris "Breaking the Silence" | Winnipeg, Manitoba

2009-10-22T19:54:00.005-05:00

Last night I had the pleasure to Pipe in an author into his book release and signing! It never ceases to amaze me as to where a Bagpiper can be utilized.

This was the first time I had officially met Ted Barris but not the first time I had heard of him. I have certainly been interested in Mr. Barris' work for a number of years so it was truly my honour to Pipe for him on his special evening. After Piping Ted and a small Legion Colour Party into McNally Robinson - Polo Park, we sat down to listen to a brief introduction to his new book "Breaking the Silence". I was thrilled to listen to Ted tell stories about a number of veteran's from all the wars including WWI to Present. His story telling ability is phenomenal and obviously very factual which makes it so intriguing.

If you get the chance please pick-up a copy of Ted's latest book. You won't be disappointed.

Cheers,

Kyle Campbell
t. (204) 981-1182
e. info@thebagpiper.ca

w. TheBagpiper.ca

Piping In My Home Town | Argyle, Manitoba

2009-09-27T17:33:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of playing in my hometown for the first time in years. Also it was the first time I'd played together with my brother Shayne too.

About a year ago, my Aunt decided that her small town needed some local events to bring a sense of community back. She really enjoys music and thought that if she hired the best musical talent in the province, she could get local people together...and it worked! For the past 14 months she has had a successful musical event at least once per month. Each Coffee-House has at least three musicians (or groups) from different genres . More recently she felt that it was time to get some Bagpipers in there to mix it up a bit. My brother Shayne and I were invited to play for about 20 minutes and it went off just brilliantly. Here's a clip from the local newspaper:

"Thanks to all who attended the Argyle coffee-house on Sunday, Sept. 13. It was an enjoyable evening, and the musicians certainly appreciated having an audience. The evening began with Kyle and Shayne Campbell on the bagpipes, in full Scottish dress. They played the pipes and also spoke about the history of the bagpipe and some of its technical aspects, and even some bagpipe jokes. They asked for a volunteer to try piping, and Donna Garland was willing; she earned some well-deserved applause and demonstrated that it is impossible to pipe and laugh at the same time! She was finally successful after turning her back on the audience!"

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
204-981-1182
e. info@thebagpiper.ca
w. http://www.thebagpiper.ca/

Getting some attention at Assiniboine Park | Winnipeg

2009-09-09T18:53:00.004-05:00

It seems that while I was warming up to play at an outdoor wedding ceremony this past weekend, my Bagpipes began to draw some attention. Photographer Kyle Macintosh was on hand to capture the moment in this wonderful setting. The shot clearly shows he leads his life with the camera. Thank you for the imagery.

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
e. info@thebagpiper.ca

Party Piping | Winnipeg Manitoba

2009-07-21T06:56:00.003-05:00

Playing the Pipes at parties is lots of fun!

This last weekend I played at a family event. It was quite a surprise to most of the guests and they loved it. I simply began playing on the street and then walked right into the back yard where the party was taking place. After playing a few marches I got everyone clapping with some jigs and hornpipes. Good times.

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
e. info@thebagpiper.ca
w. http://www.thebagpiper.ca/corporateevents.html

Fort Gibraltar | Wedding Winnipeg | The Bagpiper

2009-07-07T17:58:00.006-05:00

A few weeks ago I was honoured to play for a wedding at Fort Gibraltar in Winnipeg. The setting is fantastic. When you first drive up to the site you are immediately taken back to a distant time in history. The first thing to be seen is the tall wooden fence made up of large pointed posts and the small gate that opens up to a wonderful old trading post. Don't be fooled, this place is the real deal and although it looks rustic outside, its extremely classy interior is perfect for weddings and other gatherings.

For those who want their guests to remember their special wedding ceremony, this will be it. Regardless of weather conditions, an indoor or outdoor wedding would work very well within the confines of the fort walls.

This is one of the best kept secrets in Winnipeg.

Here's a shot of me Piping in the flower girls - believe me when I say that the bride's just around the corner. Just another way to add flair to your wedding ceremony!

For Other unique Wedding options, please check out my website or visit my blog in the future to see other weddings that I have played at over the years.

Cheers,

Kyle Campbell
e. info@thebagpiper.ca

w. TheBagpiper.ca

Canada Day Celebrations: Pipe Band | Winnipeg, Manitoba

2009-07-02T07:10:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I joined the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band at the Assiniboine Park to celebrate Canada Day. There were thousands of people walking, riding and relaxing in the park. We had quite a band size yesterday (25 people) which was nice to see.

A New CD - The Winnipeg Police Pipe Band

2009-05-18T07:23:00.001-05:00

Well it's finally done and in my hands! "Legacy" by the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band is the first album that I have been involved in and I feel that it turned out quite well.

My main responsibilities for this project was to do the art-work for the CD and co-edit. I suppose that it was fitting that I do the art-work since my background was in graphic design for 4 years. I was to come up with a theme and portray it on the cover and carry it through the CD. Since the band is in its 90th year I was able to find many old and interesting photographs from the Police archives to use throughout the disk.

On the cover I blended old with the new to immediately show the history of the band. Within the CD pull-outs I have used other dated photographs from as far back as 1923. The logo on the CD is a current one that was designed by our bass drummer's daughter.say.

The music list includes public favourites like Scotland the Brave, Amazing Grace, Danny Boy and the Flower of Scotland. We also did a few tracks that reflect the party aspect of the band - Party with the Pipe Band and Pub Crawl. I would be missing the highlights of the CD if I didn't mention Nathan Mitchell's brilliant "Shuttle Pipes" track that includes beautiful guitar playing by Sean Johnston who is a great friend that plays as a lead tip (snare drumming) with the locally famous, Grade 2 - St. Andrews Pipe Band.

Just in case you think the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band is merely a parade band, I'll assure you that our ranks are filled with grade 2 & 3 pipers... so I think that it's up to the best standards of pipe band music.

For your listening pleasure, I will be certain to upload some samples very soon. Please click here if you are interested to buy a CD for $10.00 (CAD).

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
The Bagpiper
204-981-1182
Web: TheBagpiper.ca
email: info@thebagpiper.ca

The Kilt: A Part Of My Wardrobe | The Bagpiper | Winnipeg, Manitoba

2009-05-11T08:45:00.001-05:00

A couple of nights ago I Piped in the head table for a large Toastmasters Convention at the old Marlborough Hotel, downtown Winnipeg. There were about 500 attendees at the event and a local radio station icon had been invited to perform a speech. I had not been into the Marlborough for quite some time, but I was pleasantly surprised at how fresh the facility had been kept.

Since I play the pipes so often I really don't feel that the kilt is anything special anymore. It's essentially grown into a part of my wardrobe. I'm not saying that I would wear my kilt to work of course, but no matter where I go I seem to get LOTS of attention. For example, while driving to the event I was stopped at an intersection and a couple of young girls waiting to cross the street had noticed that I was all dressed-up. They stared intensely at me and then began to giggle, blush and chat about my outfit. Not 10 minutes later as I walked into the lobby of the hotel where my gig was, everyone stopped and stared at me. A few moments later I joined a couple of elderly ladies in the elevator while going to the top floor. Both ladies looked me up and down and then commented on how lovely I looked. Really what can one say.

Anyways if you ever have the need for some attention, add the kilt to your wardrobe.

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
e. info@thebagpiper.ca

Wedding Bagpiper | Winnipeg, Manitoba

2009-04-17T22:30:00.004-05:00

Recently I was asked to play the Pipes at another wedding. The bride was of Scottish decent and the groom from Italian decent. The bride simply wanted me to Pipe her into the reception. I was thrilled to find out that the event was to be held at a lovely re-creation of Fort Gibraltar in the heart of Winnipeg.

When I arrived at the St. Boniface park I was simply blown away. This is a beautiful fort - much like the one in Braveheart - that is a hidden secret deep in the heart of Winnipeg. As I walked into the fort I was admittedly surprised at the attention to detail that someone had purposely put into the facility.

Well I played at the reception and everything went flawlessly but now that I found this beautiful site, I plan to get many photos there for my future website.

Hope to have those pictures up soon...

Cheers,

Kyle Campbell
e. info@thebagpiper.ca
w. http://www.thebagpiper.ca/

Editing Pipe Music - The Finer Details on Making a Bagpipe CD

2009-04-01T19:59:00.001-05:00

I am lucky to know a thing or two about editing audio. However I am learning a great deal more as I work closely with Ervin, the Sound Editor at ClearLightSound. Ervin has spent many hours behind the screen doing cuts and using compressors as well as other handy tools offered in today's latest audio editing systems. His expertise has been good to our sound, but it doesn't come with a little pain. You see, he doesn't really know anything about Bagpipes. I have been focused mostly on the details, much the way any piper would listen to the Pipes, picking out any small mistake or change in pitch from under or overblowing. Ervin can't always hear the intricacies that a trained bagpiper can hear, and that makes my job even more important.

Luckily I have some additional help from a fellow bagpiper in the band - Nathan Mitchell. Nathan is the sound guy for the band. He's also one hell of a piper and can really rip off a few tunes with skill and flair. So far we've been able to work together to edit 8 tracks, each track taking at least 1 to 2 hours. Ultimately our goal is to have at least 14 tracks on this album - and so-far, it seems that things are looking up. The musicians did a great job making the editing much easier than it could have been.

Anyhow, I hope to have something for you to hear very shortly.

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
e. info@thebagpiper.ca

Recording a Bagpipe Album | Winnipeg, Manitoba

2009-03-22T10:41:00.000-05:00

After a lot of planning and practicing the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band (which I belong to) got together for the final time to lay down some audio tracks for its latest CD. This is the 3rd album that the band will have released, but my first time to do a professional recording.

Due to the size of the band, we were forced to do the recording out-of-studio however, we were able to utilize a large room with carpet on the floor and curtins covering the windows. We felt that this facility would give us the best sound possible given the size of he band. While seperating the pipes fromt the drums, eight michropones were sorted arround the room.

I have to say that it is a real challenge to do a recording, obviously any mistakes that are made stand out dramatically, well at least they do for the trained ear. But our tone was spot-on and after a few takes, we were able to settle on each track.

More to come soon...

Wedding Ideas: Choosing a Bagpiper for Your Ceremony

2009-02-16T13:47:00.003-06:00

Congratulations on your Engagement!

Bagpipes can be a wonderful addition to a wedding ceremony. However, not everyone has been fortunate to have heard a talented Bag Piper, and that can immediately scratch a Piper off their wedding to-do list. Here are some helpful tips to getting the best musician for your wedding.

1. Select a person who has experience .
2. Look for a website. If they are serious, their site will have all the details you will need.
3. Listen to sound bytes to decide if you like their playing ability.
4. Look for references.
5. Give them a call to see if you like what they say.

A few other items to consider when looking for a Piper:

When would you like the Pipes to be played?
There's no question that the bagpipes are loud. If you are having a small indoor wedding you may want to leave the bagpipes to be played outdoors. The Bagpipes can be played while the guests are arriving. Or they could be played as the Bride and Groom make their first appearance while exiting the Church.

What tune would you select?
Believe it or not, there are thousands of tunes that a Bagpiper could play for your wedding. Most commonly however there are a select few tunes that are played. For example "Highland Cathedral", "Scotland The Brave" or "Mary's Wedding" will be suitable.

Paying the Piper:
The old saying "you get what you pay for" stands true for Bagpipe players too. If you've done your homework though, the piper will enhance your ceremony.

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
The Wedding Piper
t. (204) 981-1182
e. info@thebagpiper.ca
http://www.theweddingpiper.com/

Piping in Australia | The Bagpiper A Global Traveler

2009-02-09T06:50:00.005-06:00

Just before Christmas I traveled to Australia for the first time! My entire 3 week trip consisted of driving through the farm land about 100 miles inland from the coast in NSW. This land is generally considered dry, but not quite the "outback" that everyone imagines. There are many trees, hills and of course farmland with flocks of sheep huddled under the shade of a tree. Between visiting agricultural dealers (for work) I was able to get some sight seeing done from behind the windshield of a rented Commodore. Behind every corner was something new. I was able to see wild emus, kangaroos, lizards, cockateels and snakes. Unfortunately I was unable to see any koalas, but it seems that they blend into the trees very well.

The real highlight of my trip however was to visit some fellow bagpipers. On my second weekend I drove out from Melbourne to a small "cottage" town called Dalesford. This was a beautiful town with a population of 2000. Lots of trees and small hills surrounded the area. At the edge of town was an old park where the band contest took place. There were 18 bands, all between grades 4, 3 & one band from grade 2 (the best). I have to say that I thought the talent was far better than I had ever expected. I sat in the sunshine enjoying the 28 degree weather and listened to the bands for the afternoon.

Officially I was there to meet Mark Saul from Melbourne, a rather famous piper within the world of bagpipes. He currently plays in a band called Hawthorne, a grade 3 band that sounded very nice. At one time played with the very famous Victoria Police Pipe Band who in 1998 won the World Pipe Band Championship in Scotland. Mark has been writing cutting edge music for all of his young life and has had quite an impact on the piping world.

Luckily Mark and I had the chance to get together after the contest at a house party where he pulled out an Irish flute and another one of his band members both pulled out a set of border pipes and began to play. This was by far the best "kitchen piping" I have ever heard!

The time I spent in Australia makes me want to return - soon.

Until next time,

Kyle Campbell
e. info@thebagpiper.ca

Preparing For The Day: A Piper's Story | Winnipeg, Manitoba

2009-02-06T22:02:00.003-06:00

A great deal of preparation is required to enable a piper to play well at any given event. Practicing is one thing, but when playing an instrument that is ancient as the bagpipes, it can be a handful just to keep it sounding the way it's supposed to. Pipe maintenance is a key factor to making the instrument sound good.

I tend to play my pipes a lot throughout the entire year which is a positive thing as the instrument is very temperamental. If the instrument is left unplayed for too long the reeds begin to sound awful and take a lot of extra work to get them in tune properly. Just tonight this happened to me.

I have been really busy over the past few weeks which has caused me to neglect my Scottish Smallpipes. This really kills me by the way. The outcome so I found, is that the dry winter air had a profound effect on my cane (wood) chanter reed. The lack of humidity caused the two halves of the reed to separate from each other causing some really horrific squealing sounds. I have to say that this is the first time that my Smallpipes have reacted this way - usually they are such a beautiful sound to listen to, that I'll play for hours.

Luckily my Great Highland Pipes have been played more consistently, keeping them sounding great as ever. May you never have to listen to the bagpipes after being neglected.

Anyways, I'm sure that a humidifier is required in our old house, and tomorrow I plan to go out and buy one.

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
e. info@thebagpiper.ca
www. the wedding piper .com

Bagpipes: Love 'em or Hate 'em?

2009-01-21T18:33:00.001-06:00

I have been told many times before that you either Love 'em or Hate 'em and I can see why people make their minds up so easily.

First of all, bagpipes can be something of a struggle to master. That in itself is the main reason there are poorly trained pipers out there. Many people who take up bag piping are excited at first, but due to the intense work required, they give it up for its difficulty. Unfortunately those are the "musicians" that the general public hears most frequently.

Some of us are fortunate enough to have tuition from the best in the world. The idea is that they will pass on the positive traits onto the new players.

With that said, I believe there are two types of bagpipers out there; One who plays to be different and those who play because they love the way it makes them feel. I am certainly one who loves the bagpipes for the music. The sound is unique, but soothing. I really wish that more people could hear the instrument played correctly.

Get out there and listen to a piper near you.

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
The Wedding Piper
t. (204) 981-1182
e. info@thebagpiper.ca
http://www.theweddingpiper.com/

Traditional Wedding: For Those with Scottish Ancestry

2009-01-20T19:15:00.000-06:00

It is rather customary to refer to our ancestry for special occasions that we celebrate throughout our lives. Traditions can include many things like food, clothing, language and music. Obvious Scottish traditions include kilts and the bagpipes.

Though I am Canadian, I have always been interested in my Scottish heritage mainly because both sides of my family came to Canada from Scotland many generations ago. Long before I was born most everyone in my family had lost many of the Scottish traditions, but music was still in our blood. When I was young, my parents desperately wanted me to be involved in music. First I was introduced to the piano. After a lengthy (and painful) amount of time, I finally gave up playing the piano as it just wasn’t something I wanted to do. Music however was very important to me and I really wanted to play an instrument – but which one? One day when I was about 9 years old, my grandpa pulled down a box from the back of his closet, wiped off the layer of dust and opened it up. There inside, was a tangled mess of wooden tubes, ivory and a Royal Stewart plaid bag. I had never seen bagpipes before, but I was excited about a piece of my ancestry right there in front of me. Immediately I asked grandpa to put them together and let me play. Well I’ll tell you that I couldn’t have mustered up enough wind to even make a sound. Regardless, my mind was set. I wanted to play the bagpipes. My mom found me a local tutor for my brother and I and that’s where it began. Here I am, 20 plus years later still playing the bagpipes. I have loved every minute of it. Traveling around for competitions, corporate events, weddings and other functions keeps me rather busy these days.

Check out my website http://www.theweddingpiper.com/ to learn ways in which I can make your Wedding Day complete.

Until next time, cheers!
Kyle Campbell
The Wedding Piper
t. (204) 981-1182
e. kylefromargyle.com
http://www.theweddingpiper.com/

Choosing a Bagpiper for Your Wedding | Winnipeg, Manitoba

2009-01-19T21:50:00.000-06:00

Congratulations on your Engagement!

Bagpipes can be such a wonderful addition to any wedding ceremony. However, not everyone has heard a great piper, and that can immediately scratch that off their wedding planners list.

I can assure you that I am a very professional bagpiper and I have played at hundreds of weddings and other events. I am fortunate to have learned from the very best pipers over the years.

In future blogs I will discuss how a bagpiper can be utilized for your special day.

Cheers,
Kyle Campbell
The Wedding Piper
t. (204) 981-1182
e. kylefromargyle.com
http://www.theweddingpiper.com/