Call of the Loon Bagpiping is run by Meridith Richmond.
Like the loon, I make a mighty large sound come from a small creature.
Like the loon, I make a mighty large sound come from a small creature.
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Based in St. Paul, MN, I play the bagpipes for weddings, funerals, and all other occasions across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. I’ve been performing since 2010, and as of this writing have played for over 300 events, playing a wide range of Irish and Scottish music, from somber and reflective to celebratory and joyous.
I aim to work with my clients to make sure all your needs are met. From responding quickly to your calls and emails, to looking and sounding great on the day, I’m here to add the perfect note to your event and provide the highest quality professional bagpiping performance. |
Musical Background
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I began learning bagpipes under the tuition of Pipe Major Mike Breidenbach of the Macalester College Pipe Band, with whom I continue to take lessons. I play with the Grade 3 (Advanced) Macalester College Pipe Band and have been the Pipe Major of Macalester’s Grade 5 (Beginner) band. Both bands actively compete across the United States and internationally.
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Awards & Notable Performances
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My awards include winning the 2018 James W. Aiken Memorial Prize (Overall Winner Grade 2 Solo Piping) at the Caledonian Club of San Francisco Scottish Highland Games. I’ve also won scholarships to attend the Balmoral School Of Piping and Drumming (St. Paul, MN), Invermark School of Piping and Drumming (Catskill Mtns, NY), and the Celtic Arts Foundation’s Winter School (Seattle, WA).
Performances of note include being on the live broadcast of Prairie Home Companion’s 40th anniversary show on July 4th, 2014 as part of the Macalester College Pipe Band. I also bagpiped for over 3,000 people at Lakewood Cemetery’s 2019 Lantern Festival in Minneapolis. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you wear?
I wear the full traditional Scottish bagpiping uniform to all of my professional bagpiping engagements. You can see me in it on the Media page. Ghillie brouges, hose, flashes, kilt, Glengarry - the full nine yards (or eight yards of fabric, in the case of the "traditional" Scottish kilt.)
Do you play in the cold?
Yes! I have two bagpipes. One is made of African Blackwood and is what I play when it is above freezing. My other set is my "cold" bagpipes set, which are made of a special kind of plastic. While the cold will damage my African Blackwood bagpipes by causing the wood to crack, the plastic bagpipes can handle below freezing temps.
Do we need a contract?
If you would like to set up a contract, I am more than happy to do so. I have found contracts unnecessary for the majority of my engagements. I set them up for a fraction of my clients, depending on the particulars of an event.
How much does a bagpipe cost?
New bagpipes are generally $1000 - $2500. Older, vintage sets of pipes are generally more expensive, and can get up to about $10,000.
This is in addition to the cost of many consumables, like bagpipe bags, drone reeds, and chanter reeds.
This is in addition to the cost of many consumables, like bagpipe bags, drone reeds, and chanter reeds.