Chris Armstrong (born 2 February 1980) is a bagpiper from

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...

and

pipe major The pipe major is the leading musician of a pipe band, whether military or civilian. Like the appointment of drum major, the position is derived from British Army traditions. During the early twentieth century, the term sergeant piper was used ...

of the

ScottishPower Pipe Band The ScottishPower Pipe Band, is a Grade 1 pipe band sponsored by the international energy company ScottishPower. History Formed in 1969 as the British Caledonian Airways Pipe Band, the band won the World Pipe Band Championships (Grade 2) in 19 ...

Life

Armstrong was born in

Bathgate Bathgate ( sco, Bathket or , gd, Both Chèit) is a town in West Lothian, Scotland, west of Livingston and adjacent to the M8 motorway. Nearby towns are Armadale, Blackburn, Linlithgow, Livingston, West Calder and Whitburn. Situated sout ...

on 2 February 1980. He started learning the bagpipes at the age of 6, and played in the Torphichen and Bathgate juvenile band, where he was taught by Pipe Major John Matheson. After a spell of not competing in a band, and then playing in a number of different groups, he became pipe sergeant of

Torphichen and Bathgate Pipe Band Torphichen and Bathgate Pipe Band are based in West Lothian, Scotland and compete at the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association's Grade 2 level. History The band was founded in 1902 as the Torphichen Pipe Band. In the 1960s the band changed from ...

for two years. He became pipe major of the David Urquhart Travel Pipe Band in 2004, and then in 2006 became leader of the

. He is an instructor at the

National Piping Centre The National Piping Centre is an institution in Glasgow, Scotland, dedicated to the playing of the bagpipes, to include not only the Great Highland Bagpipes, but also the Scottish smallpipes and Irish uileann pipes, as well as other traditional ...

, and also teaches at Kilmarnock Schools pipe band. Armstrong also runs a business producing drone reeds, and has designed a range of bagpipes that are produced by Wallace Bagpipes. He favours a high-pitched chanter.

Solo results

He has won major prizes for both pibroch and light music. * Winner of the Former Winners March, Strathspey and Reel at the

Argyllshire Gathering The Argyllshire Gathering is a Highland games held in Oban, Scotland. History A meeting on 23 August 1871 held at the Argyll Arms Hotel led to a resolution to have an "Annual Gathering of the Gentry of the County of Argyll for social purposes" ...

in 2001 and 2011 * Winner of the

Gold medal (piping) In competitive solo bagpiping, a Gold Medal is awarded at the Northern Meeting and Argyllshire Gathering for pibroch playing. The prize is one of the most prestigious awards a solo player can receive, and by winning it a player qualifies for a numbe ...

at the

Northern Meeting The Northern Meeting is a gathering held in Inverness, Scotland, best known for its solo bagpiping competition in September. History The Northern Meeting was set up in 1798 "for the purpose of promoting a Social Intercourse", and early editions f ...

in 2003 * Winner of the

Bratach Gorm The Bratach Gorm (or Blue Banner) is the highest prize given by the Scottish Piping Society of London and was introduced in 1938. History In 1994 the competition pool was further reduced in protest at the selection of judges. The competition has ...

in 2007

Discography

* ''Notes In Ma Heid'' (1997) * ''Quantum Leap'' (1999) * ''X-Treme'' (2003)

Bibliography

* ''Notes frae ma Heid Volume 1'' * ''Notes frae ma Heid Volume 2'' * ''The Collection'' * ''RE:Tradition''

References

External links

Series of interviews with Chris Armstrong
{{DEFAULTSORT:Armstrong, Chris Living people Great Highland bagpipe players Scottish bagpipe players 1980 births Gold Medal winners (bagpipes)