Julia Read
Bagpiper & Harpist, Marlow, UK
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Videos
Wedding Bagpipes
Burns night
Wedding Harp
“I just wanted to say a massive thank you. You were fabulous and made a big difference to Katie and Ash’s special day." Thame Harpist & Bagpiper
Tracey Heritage, 25 March 2023, Wedding Harpist & Piper, Notley Abbey, Thame
“Just wanted to say a huge thank you for playing (bagpipes) at our wedding on Tuesday.
Having you there really made it that extra bit special, was amazing. Thank you, Kevin and Jessica" Windsor Bagpiper
Kevin and Jessica Stokes, 14 March 2023, Bagpiper Windsor
“We are so grateful to Julia for creating such a wonderful atmosphere at our wedding, by playing her harp so beautifully. Leading up to our special day, we found our engagement with Julia to be very professional and informative, she was able to provide a choice of music and suggestions to ensure we enjoyed every moment. Our guests were really impressed as well and complimented Julia's performance.
Thank you so much for everything" Windsor Harpist
Alex and Andre Rijnoveanu, 3 Sept 2022, Wedding harpist, Windsor
“We both thought you were brilliant on our wedding day and were so pleased we had you there playing your harp you made such a big difference to our special day. Thank you. " Windsor Harpist
Lorraine & Frank Richards, 29 June 2022, Wedding harpist, Windsor
“Thanks so much for making yesterday a special event, the team really enjoyed it and loved what you did, the explanation of Burns and his poetry was great. The piping was brilliant and the address to the haggis great to watch." Rickmansworth Bagpiper
Barry Smith, 1 February 2022, Corporate Burns Lunch Bagpiper, Rickmansworth
“Wow, Julia was given less than 2 days notice as my client was let down by a previous planner and Julia came to the rescue. I will be using Julia’s service for my future events.
I highly recommend Julia and her services she provides.
My client was blown away by the elegance of the harp she played at his proposal" Bath, Harpist
Hayley Seymour, 24 January 2022, Marriage Proposal Harpist, Bath
“Dear Julia, thank-you so much for piping so beautifully last night [Royal Grammar School High Wycombe Burns night]. There were many compliments about your playing. Many thanks!" High Wycombe Bagpiper
Sarah Kucera, 25 January 2022, Burns Night Bagpiper, High Wycombe
“Julia, we cannot thank you enough for helping to make Sophie and Kiran’s wedding a simply magical day. So many guests have complimented you, but many with Scottish heritage were simply astounded by what you played !
I only wish we’d had the chance to really thank you on the day, as you were absolutely brilliant!!
Wishing you all the best, and only too pleased to recommend you to others !!" Burnham Bagpiper
Neil Walker, 5 November 2021, Wedding Bagpiper, Burnham
"It was awesome having you play the harp at our wedding and everyone commented on the relaxed atmosphere you created. Many, many thanks again for adding so much to our special day!" Marlow Harpist
Ralph and Wendy Merry, 14 August 2021, Wedding Harp, Marlow
"Thank you so much for being part of our day by playing the bagpipes and harp it was amazing and our guests loved it. I have paid you a little bit extra as a token of our gratitude" Buckinghamshire Harpist and Bagpiper
Alex and Debbie Slipaczek 6 August 2021, Wedding Harpist & Piper Buckinghamshire
"Thank you Julia, and many thanks for playing the pipes and harp for us yesterday. It was perfect and really added to our day. " Berkshire Harpist and Bagpiper
Iain and Hannah Fothergill 19 June 2021, Wedding Harpist & Piper Berkshire
"Our original piper emailed me at 9:30am on our wedding day to cancel the booking for valid reasons however, they did not call me and it was only by chance I saw their email. We found Julia who luckily was free, she had around two hours notice to put on her Highland dress, drive 12 miles, set up and play for our guests. She was there on time and learnt the song I wanted piped down the isle to, on the way. She was amazing, and played absolutely beautifully. I wanted to wait to walk down the isle so I could hear her play more of the song that I loved, it made me so emotional hearing her play. Our guests loved her too, and all complimented on how well she played. I would recommend Julia for your event and she will always be my first piper to call for any future events. We are eternally grateful for all that you did Julia, thank you." Berkshire Bagpiper
Gayle and Neil 18 June 2021, Wedding Piper Berkshire
Julia's harp playing ranges from the dreamy and wistful, to the spirited and playful, She performs with a deftness and delicacy of touch. It is a real pleasure to sit back and enjoy the lyricism she brings to her musical repertoire. Bourne End Harpist
Wendy Osborne 10 June 2021, Harpist Bourne End
Thank you so much Julia for your wonderful playing. Everyone thought you were wonderful. Oxfordshire bagpiper.
Christine Ewing 21 May 2021, Funeral Bagpiper Oxfordshire
We were delighted that Julia was able to play the harp for us during the service at St John the Baptist Church, Little Marlow. The arrangement of "Amazing Grace" was perfect - and Julia's performance of The Matador's Lament gave a very special opportunity for us to listen and reflect. Julia is highly accomplished and a delight to watch as she plays the beautiful instrument which is the harp and we are already talking about the next time she can play to our congregation. Marlow Harpist.
Jeffrey Smith, 10 May 2021, Church Harpist Marlow
I am writing to thank you so very much for turning out in the freezing rain yesterday to pipe our parents into the Milton Chapel and beyond. We all really appreciated the fantastic atmosphere your music gave us in these sad times of Covid. It is a wonderful thing you do. Thank you so much. Amersham bagpiper.
Ruth McCall 29 April 2021, Funeral Bagpiper Amersham
Thanks again for playing at mum’s funeral. The pipes made it very special. You really looked the part in the Black Watch tartan. Amersham bagpiper.
Lesley Newman 12 April 2021, Funeral Bagpiper Amersham
Thanks for your exquisite playing on Friday. We held a virtual wake that evening and everyone commented about how the pipes really lifted the occasion – with so few people allowed and no singing, it was great to have something that chimed so well with our family history. Thank you so much. Amersham bagpiper.
Beth Dawson 9 April 2021, Funeral Bagpiper Amersham
Julia was absolutely brilliant at my father’s funeral. Beautiful playing and very respectful. Christchurch bagpiper.
Neil Wilkie 17 Dec 2019, Funeral Bagpiper Christchurch
Julia was fantastic – would highly recommend! We have booked Julia many times to play for our London Burns night at a private London club. She never disappoints and is always very professional and really adds to the atmosphere. London bagpiper.
Rachelle Cornel 24 Jan 2019, Burns Night Bagpiper London
Julia was excellent. She arrived super early and looked absolutely fantastic. She was very accommodating with my daughter who wanted to ‘help’ and about the cramped space in a small old beamed pub. Wish we’d asked for another dance! Many thanks. Great Missenden bagpiper.
Rachael MacKay 8 Dec 2018, Birthday Bagpiper Great Missenden
Very professional, extremely accomplished musician, friendly and accommodating to meet our requirements on the day. I have no reservations whatsoever in recommending her for any event, we will book her again. Julia is delightful, she genuinely cared about making the day very special for my elderly Scottish parents and her extra suggestions of when/where to play were really helpful! Thank you Julia. Farnham bagpiper.
Laura Francis 17 Nov 2018, Birthday Bagpiper Farnham
I would rank Julia higher than full marks if possible! She was superb. My daughter had the unusual request of asking if Country Road by John Denver could be played at the wedding on the bagpipes. Julia happily agreed that it was possible. She went to the trouble of recording and sending a clip for my daughter’s approval. It was perfect! Julia arrived before everyone. Made friends with everyone and was certainly a hit. She performed more tunes than we initially requested and made suggestions of when and what would be good to play. I would most certainly recommend Julia to anyone and everyone. Thank you so much, our day was even more perfect than we ever imagined. Wiltshire bagpiper.
Heather Piper 13 Oct 2018, Wedding Bagpiper Wiltshire
An inspired and inspiring choice for my daughter’s wedding reception in the beautiful and thankfully sunny Surrey countryside. Highest possible marks and largest thanks to Julia for her support, timeliness but above all for her immaculate and moving piping. Our guests were thoroughly spoilt and many too were visibly moved. Thank you Julia. Surrey bagpiper.
Colin Mclean 29 Sep 2018, Wedding Bagpiper Surrey
Thank you Julia. Really made a great show to hear your bagpipes and dhol drummers. London bagpiper.
Jatty Sira 1 Sep 2018, Indian Wedding Bagpiper Heathrow
Julia came to play at my father’s 80th party last night as a surprise and he as well as all the other guests had great fun dancing along to the sound of the pipes. Great evening. Would definitely recommend Julia ! Maidenhead bagpiper.
Debbi 1 Sep 2018, Birthday Bagpiper Maidenhead
I needed a piper to play at a funeral that I was arranging. When offered Julia, to my shame I was dubious about employing a female piper. I need not have had concerns – Julia was superb, truly superb. I would recommend her wholeheartedly. A true professional. Personable and approachable. Thank you. Godalming bagpiper.
Paul Weightman Dip, FDMBIFD 22 Aug 2018, Funeral Bagpiper Godalming
Just want to say thank you for everything you did. Brilliant, fantastic atmosphere as my son arrived at the wedding. Coventry bagpiper.
Hussan Lal, 23 Jul 2018, Indian Wedding Bagpiper Coventry
Thanks for your patience last night Julia, sorry it was so delayed. Our daughter’s 1st birthday with bagpipes and dhol drummers was so special. Thank you. Milton Keynes bagpiper.
Hailey Kumar, 7 July 2018, Indian 1st Birthday Bagpiper Milton Keynes
Julia did a fantastic job at our daughter’s wedding, playing outside the church as all the guests arrived and then playing for my husband and daughter as they walked right up the church path. She kept us very well informed before the date and came up with loads of ideas and options to make the entry into the church really special. It was a sizzling June day and Julia was in full regalia but I never saw her flag. Professional, cheeful, great bagpipe playing, what more could you ask? Marlow bagpiper.
Emily Milsom 30 Jun 2018, Wedding Bagpiper Marlow
Julia recently played at my wife grandfather’s funeral who sadly departed us. The overall level of professionalism, compassion and manner of Julia was unbelievable. Julia played her beautiful set of bagpipes and escorted the funeral hearse to the doors of the crematorium, where she was dressed fully in traditional Scottish piper’s uniform looking incredibly smart and eye catching. She then played the coffin into the crematorium where the coffin was on display and the service began, just before the end of the wonderful service Julia then played the beautiful ‘Amazing Grace’ as the curtains were shut. Julia’s music hit the heart strings of all the family and friends making us weep tears of sadness and remembrance. On behalf of the family and friends I would like to thank you for a beautiful service as a lone piper who made the day special. Recommendation 10 stars !! Aldershot bagpiper.
John Cole 18 Apr 2018, Funeral Bagpiper Aldershot
Julia provided a great attraction in a full pipers outfit at our Burns Night, not only piping at the entrance to our venue to welcome the guests as they arrived, but also accompanying the haggis, which made for a great atmosphere. Many of the guests complimented us on her playing and are looking forward to a repeat event next year. Slough bagpiper.
Douglas Courtney 12 Mar 2018, Burns Night Bagpiper Slough
Julia was a fantastic addition to the inaugural Roedean School Burns night. She was incredibly friendly and professional at all times and helped us out with some of the protocol for the night as well! Her playing was fantastic and really added to the atmosphere of the evening. We would definitely recommend her to others. Brighton bagpiper.
Grace Cather 26 Jan 2018, Burns Night Bagpiper Brighton
I was a guest at a New Years eve party that Julia played at. She was great, really got the party going and such a surprise when she came in playing Auld Lang Syne. Then she got everyone jigging around, joining hands and dancing to a traditional Scottish jig. Absolutely fantastic. Oxford bagpiper.
Simon Grimsey 31 Dec 2017 New Years Eve Bagpiper Oxford
Julia was booked for this most important role at this high profile charity ball. She came dressed in a smart piper’s uniform with a beautiful set of bagpipes and played very professionally at various times during the evening: whilst guests arrived, inside during the dinner and most importantly piped in the haggis! She contributed tremendously to the atmosphere of the evening and was very co-operative in the choice of music and greatly applauded. Just what one would expect from a bagpiper. She has performed for us since at various family gatherings. I would highly recommend Julia as a solo bagpiper. Beaconsfield bagpiper.
Adrian Norris 25 Jan 2008, Burns Night Bagpiper Beaconsfield
Bio
I have been playing various instruments for over 40 years, ranging from jazz clarinet, guitar, bagpipes, harp and piano, but for events I specialise in offering the Bagpipes and Celtic Harp. I can offer both instruments for the same event - although I draw the line at playing them both at the same time!
Any questions, please ask. If you would like a quote, then drop me a note using the forms on this page or the form on the contact page. All the best,
Julia
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