About Gordon
About the Instrument
Gordon plays his music on one of two very special sets of Bagpipes. His 1915 set of Lawrie pipes were originally purchased new by his grandfather Alex MacDonald (pictured in photo gallery) who played professionally across the United States for many years prior to WW II.
Gordon's other set of pipes are Wylie Bagpipes made in Lynnwood, WA by Gordon's instructor and friend Cameron Wylie, an aerospace tool designer and accomplished piper who studied piping under the great Gold Medalist John Wilson.
Both sets of Bagpipes are made from African Blackwood and have exceptional tone, adding to the quality of Gordon's performances.
A Half Century of Piping
Gordon began playing the Great Highland Bagpipe at the age of 9. At the age of fifteen he was a member of the Seattle Scottish Boys Pipe Band that traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland winning the Scottish Juvenile Pipe Band Championship that year. Gordon then went on to become a member of the Seattle Pipe Band and later a founding member and eventual Pipe Major of the Grade 1 Northwest Pipes and Drums, the first Grade 1 pipe band in Washington State.
Gordon began his piping career under the instruction of Charles MacNeill and later became a student and long time associate of Cameron Wylie who mastered piping under the tutelage of Gold Medalist John Wilson in Toronto. Gordon's years of instruction led to a successful competitive piping career including 1st prizes in the Open Piping class. He has also won many prizes as a member of the Northwest Pipe Quartet (pictured in photo gallery).
Gordon proudly serves as the official Piper for Veterans First Washington State , an organization honoring Veterans and American Traditions.
Greater South Sound's Event Piper
The stirring music of the Scottish Highland Bagpipe adds a memorably unique touch to all occasions. Live music can be heard piping at Weddings, Funerals, Memorials, Banquets, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Graduation Ceremonies, Veterans Events, Fund Raisers, Golf Tournaments, Corporate Events and Benefit Auctions. All these events are enhanced by the distinctive sound of the Highland Bagpipe. Gordon has a wide repertoire of tunes for all occasions including marches, slow airs, strathspeys, reels, jigs, hornpipes
Gordon proudly wears the Stewart Black tartan with appropriate Highland dress to all performances.
Gordon serves the greater Olympia, Tacoma, Aberdeen and Centralia-Chehalis areas.
Photo Gallery
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