- Mary -
Bagpiper
Mary is dedicated professionally and personally to sharing her love of music and the power of music with students whether they are children or adult learners. She also loves to engage with her performances and her interactions with audiences. Mary earned her bachelor’s degree in Music Education and her Master’s Degree in Music Performance from the University of Michigan. She served as the clarinet section leader in the Charleston Community Band for many years before joining the Charleston Pipe Band a few years ago. She competes as a soloist and band member at Scottish Games in NC, SC, GA, and FL. She is the first and currently the only female pipe major in the Southeast. Mary has taught at Charleston Southern, Christ Our King-Stella Maris School, and has been the music teacher at Whitesides Elementary for over 20 years. Mary enjoys being an ambassador for preserving Irish and Scottish musical traditions. Her repertoire includes the musical forms that are typical of those genres (marches, jigs, reels, strathspeys, and slow airs). If you would like her to play a specific song that is not in this tradition, such as tunes specific to your celebration (“Happy Birthday,” for example, which fits perfectly on the pipes!) she is glad to accommodate your requests when possible. Mary has a great deal of experience in playing for celebrations and ceremonies--civic, patriotic, sacred, formal and informal events. Mary’s mission is to play the pipes to enhance your event and make it even more memorable! |
Mary's Sample Song List
Note: Sometimes, it is not possible to play a certain selection outside of the traditional bagpipe repertoire because the 9 notes on the pipe are more limiting than on the instruments of the orchestra or concert band. Here is a list of some of the tunes that Mary can provide for your event. She performs from a much larger repertoire, but this list represents some of the tunes that are the most familiar to audiences.
SLOW AIRS
Amazing Grace
Bells of Dunblane
Blue Bells of Scotland
Dark Isle
Dawning of the Day
Flowers of the Forest
Flowers of Scotland
Going Home
Highland Cathedral
Loch Lomond
Minstrel Boy
Murdo’s Wedding
Oft in the Stille Night
Parting Glass
Rowan Tree
Skye Boat Song
Wearing of the Green
MARCHES
Atholl and Breadalbane Gathering
Atholl Highlanders
Black Bear
Bonnie Charlie
Bonnie Dundee
Brown-Haired Maiden
Duncan McGinnis
Gary Owen
Highland Laddie
High Road to Gareloch
Mairi’s Wedding
One Hundred Pipers
Scotland the Brave
Steamboat
When the Battle is Over
Wings
HORNPIPES, JIGS, REELS, & STRATHSPEYS
Archie Duncan
Banjo Breakdown
Barry Ewen
Crossing the Minch
Glasgow City Police
Hag at the Churn
Lexy McAskill
Over the Bows to Ballindalloch
Tug Argan Gap