Can I book a bagpiper for a funeral on short notice?

Yes, often. Funerals and veterans' memorial services get priority wherever we can manage it. For a service in the next few days, call us on +1 347-470-3351 rather than using the form, so we can check straight away which of our pipers is free.

How much does it cost to hire a bagpiper or pipe band?

It depends on how many players you need, how long we play, the date and how far we travel. A solo piper costs less than the full band. Send us the details through the booking form and we will reply with a quote. We are a volunteer 501(c)(3) band, so every fee goes toward instruments, uniforms and travel.

What is the difference between a solo piper and the full band?

A solo piper suits a graveside, a church service, a wedding ceremony or a toast. A piper and drummer or a small group carries a little more presence for a ceremony or a reception. The full pipe band is for parades, festivals and large outdoor events. If you are unsure, choose "Not sure" on the form and we will advise.

Do you play at weddings?

Yes. A piper can play guests in, lead the bride up the aisle, pipe the couple out, or play at the reception.

Can a pipe band play at a festival, street fair or corporate event?

Yes. We play community festivals, street fairs, cultural and Celtic festivals, holiday events and private and corporate functions, either as a set performance or marching through the crowd.

Do you play at anniversaries, commemorations and memorial ceremonies?

Yes, and they are much of what we do: Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances, 9/11 memorial services, wreath-layings, dedications and milestone anniversaries for towns and organizations.

Where do you perform?

We are based in Red Bank, New Jersey, and play throughout Monmouth County and central New Jersey, including Ocean, Middlesex and Union counties. We have also traveled to perform in Scotland, Hawaii, New Orleans, Bermuda and Nova Scotia, and at New York's Tartan Week.

How far ahead should I book?

As early as you can. Parade season, St. Patrick's Day and Memorial Day fill up months ahead. For other dates a few weeks is usually enough, and we always try for funerals.

Book the Band

From a single piper at a graveside to the full band at the head of a parade.

Your details

Your name

Organization

Phone

The occasion

What kind of event?

What do you need?

Date

Start time

The date is flexible

Venue

Town or city

Roughly how long? (minutes)

Tell us about the event

Anything that helps us judge it — the order of proceedings, particular tunes, where we would stand.

How did you hear about us?

What to expect

We usually reply within a few days.
The band is a volunteer organization; fees go toward instruments, uniforms and travel.
Funerals and veterans' memorial services are given priority wherever we can.
Give us as much notice as possible — parade season fills up early.

Booking for a funeral?

What a piper does at a graveside, short-notice requests and what to expect.

Funeral bagpiper →

Where we've played

Every town we have performed in, from parades to memorial services.

See the list →

Hiring a bagpiper in New Jersey

The Pipes & Drums of the Atlantic Watch is a volunteer pipe band founded in Red Bank in 1993 and, since 2022, the official Pipe and Drum Band of the Borough of Red Bank. You can book a single piper, a piper and drummer, a small group or the full band for funerals and memorial services, veterans' ceremonies, weddings, parades, festivals and civic or corporate events across Monmouth County and central New Jersey.

Questions people ask before booking

Can I book a bagpiper for a funeral on short notice?: Yes, often. Funerals and veterans' memorial services get priority wherever we can manage it. For a service in the next few days, call us on +1 347-470-3351 rather than using the form, so we can check straight away which of our pipers is free.
How much does it cost to hire a bagpiper or pipe band?: It depends on how many players you need, how long we play, the date and how far we travel. A solo piper costs less than the full band. Send us the details through the booking form and we will reply with a quote. We are a volunteer 501(c)(3) band, so every fee goes toward instruments, uniforms and travel.
What is the difference between a solo piper and the full band?: A solo piper suits a graveside, a church service, a wedding ceremony or a toast. A piper and drummer or a small group carries a little more presence for a ceremony or a reception. The full pipe band is for parades, festivals and large outdoor events. If you are unsure, choose "Not sure" on the form and we will advise.
Do you play at weddings?: Yes. A piper can play guests in, lead the bride up the aisle, pipe the couple out, or play at the reception.
Can a pipe band play at a festival, street fair or corporate event?: Yes. We play community festivals, street fairs, cultural and Celtic festivals, holiday events and private and corporate functions, either as a set performance or marching through the crowd.
Do you play at anniversaries, commemorations and memorial ceremonies?: Yes, and they are much of what we do: Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances, 9/11 memorial services, wreath-layings, dedications and milestone anniversaries for towns and organizations.
Where do you perform?: We are based in Red Bank, New Jersey, and play throughout Monmouth County and central New Jersey, including Ocean, Middlesex and Union counties. We have also traveled to perform in Scotland, Hawaii, New Orleans, Bermuda and Nova Scotia, and at New York's Tartan Week.
How far ahead should I book?: As early as you can. Parade season, St. Patrick's Day and Memorial Day fill up months ahead. For other dates a few weeks is usually enough, and we always try for funerals.