Brian Widelitz is a bagpiper living in Perkasie, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Brian began playing the bagpipes in the early 1970’s in Portland, Oregon.

His first teacher was a street musician. Bitten by the bug, Brian applied for a job as an apprentice turner (bagpipe maker) at the shop of Hugh MacPherson, Ltd. Of Edinburgh, and was accepted for the position.

While in Edinburgh, Brian took lessons from the late Pipe Major George Stoddart.

After a stint playing and touring  with a folk music group in France, Brian returned home to the Philadelphia area where his family lived.

When first back to the area, Brian joined the MacGregor Pipe Band of Bucks County. From there he joined the Philadelphia Emerald Society Pipe Band in their drive to begin competing. In 1980 Brian became Pipe Major of the band, leading them to several finishes in the top ten standings in Grade 4 pipe band competition.

In 1990, Brian began playing with the Lehigh Valley Pipe Band, led by his teacher Scot Walker. After competing in two contests in Grade 4 the band was upgraded to Grade 3 status, winning every competition in it’s second year in Grade 3, as well as sweeping the piping at the North American Pipe Band Championships at Maxville, Ontario.

Subsequently, the band was upgraded to Grade 2 status. At that time, owing to constraints in his personal life, Brian was unable to compete with the Grade 2 band but was asked to form and lead a Grade 4 band for Lehigh Valley. That band, also, had several notable victories.

After taking a yearlong break from band playing, Brian joined the Cameron Highlanders Pipe Band of Philadelphia becoming Pipe Major in his second year with the band. He embarked on building a stronger band consequently leading to Grade 3 status and sweeping first place in it’s first contest in Grade 3.

After taking a few years off from band playing, Brian was asked to play with the Philadelphia Emerald Society Pipe Band as they played in Philadelphia for the Chieftains Fiftieth Anniversary Tour. Brian then joined the band as instructor.

In addition to his band playing, Brian was a solo competitor for twenty-five years. In that time, he had the privilege of studying with some of the top players in the region and the world. He studied, for many years with Scot Walker and had the privilege of studying with Murray Henderson, when he was living in this country. Some of his other instructors were the late James McIntosh, MBE, Pipe Major Iain Morrison and the late Alastair Gillies.

Brian has appeared, as a performer, at numerous concert venues, as well, having opened or performed with The Chieftains, Silly Wizard and Magical Strings. He also appeared with Carlos Nunez at Bethlehem Musikfest.

In addition, Brian has been a perennial performer at the Pennridge Celtic Festival; leading the processions for many years at Philadelphia University (now Jefferson University, East Falls) and leading the procession for Worker’s Memorial Day.