Music, Pipers & Ceilidhs
Apr 1st, 2007 by Mark Chesterfield
The combination of Scottish or Irish traditional music mixed in with a whisky tasting is a truly enjoyable experience. Since 2002 we have combined whisky & song as a traditional theme for both private and business events. However, other styles of music work well with enjoying whisky, such as rock and blues, so nowadays there seems to be a diverse audience when it comes to enjoying both whisky and music. Details of the musicians and tours can be seen on www.britbeat.ch
Over the years we have developed good connections with Scottish and Swiss Bagpipers (& drummers). Today we can recommend and organise pipers for anywhere in Switzerland for private or business events. There is a choice of the “single piper” to welcome the evening in, or maybe 2 - 3 pipers and drummers for a short concert, or the full “pipes & drums” band to make the full impression!
Throughout the year we invite Scottish or Irish musicians to Switzerland to perform.
Each tour has a particular theme and varies from a short weekend visit up to a three week tour.
The main themes connected with this Celtic music is,
Robert Burns tributes in January,
St. Patricks Day in March,
St. Andrews celebrations in November,
Scottish Ceilidhs throughout the year.
A Scottish “Ceilidh” is basically a Highland party with lots of traditional dancing. It is essential to have the correct background music with either an accordion, fiddle or bagpipes. The band will advice and guide you through the dance steps.
There are other musical events during the year involving Celtic music, and bands can be booked for tailor made private or business events.
These musicians with their traditional ballads and upbeat tunes are perfect for private or corporate special events such as weddings or business networking events as well as the Christmas or New Years (Hogmany) parties.
The musical styles vary from star performers like Edinburgh fiddler, Iain Anderson, to the international status of singer songwriter, Robin Laing.
Iain Anderson is based in Edinburgh and travels throughout Scotland, working with other well established musicians. His new CD has attracted a lot of attention including BBC Radio Scotland.
Since 2002 we have worked with Robin Laing, and developed the “Robert Burns” and “whisky & song” themes throughout Switzerland. We have become regular visitors to event programmes like Art Deco Hotel Montana in Luzern and Grandhotel Giessbach in Brienz.
Robin visits Switzerland 3 - 4 times each year with the longest tour in January, and you can see his CDs and books on www.robinlaing.com, and images on this website in September 2007.
Since 2002 we have worked with Back of the Moon, Fine Friday, Macumba, Amy Geddes, Jim Hunter, Robin Laing, Ian Anderson, Real Time, Uncle Johns Band, Colin Ramage, Ally Mckenzie and others.
Costs for the concerts vary from CHF600 to 4000 per gig depending on the number of musicians involved and who the performers are.
A whisky tasting alongside the music programme will cost from CHF600 and depends on the whisky selection.
As a guideline to costs the musicians fee are;
Solo musician - 600,
2 musicians - 1100,
3 musicians - 1500 to 2000,
4 musicians - 2000 to 2500,
5 musicians - 2500 to 3500
On top of these fees are travel, food, accomodation, sound equipment and set up costs.
Remember, these musicians have come a long distance to play and are the authentic product!
These musicians are all professional and play all over the UK and Europe.
Bagpipers are also available for events ranging from full pipe bands to solo pipers or drummers from Switzerland and Scotland. The pipers we work with are in Zurich, Basel, Luzern, Bern, Wallis and Geneva for your events.