Bagpiper

Chris Gray - Piper & Pianist

Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
(4.9)Read all 37 reviews
Watch
Booking protection
Secure online payments
Free 48hr cancellations
Support available Mon-Sat
Like Chris?
Watch & Listen
Watch
Listen

About Chris

Chris Gray is a Scottish Piper, Pianist, Whistle Player Composer & Tutor based in Glasgow, Scotland.
Bagpiper
Glasgow
Public liability insurance of £10 million
Verified profile

Chris Gray is one of Scotland’s most sought-after multi-instrumentalists. Originally from Lockerbie in the South West of Scotland, Chris is a piper, pianist, whistle player, composer and teacher of great versatility. Chris has been performing at a range of events including weddings, festivals, funerals, corporate events and more for over 15 years. Performance highlights include festivals in Wickham (England), Ortigueira (Spain), Lorient (France), and solo piano at Blair Castle (Scotland) for Keepers of the Quaich banquets. Chris has appeared at the Edinburgh Festival live on BBC Radio Scotland Pipeline with his trio, and as part of the backing band both with the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland and Inveraray & District Pipe Band. He has also piped with Inveraray & District Pipe Band, and with them has won the 2017 World Pipe Band Championships as well as the Scottish, British & European Championships. Chris performed solo and alongside the Red Hot Chilli Pipers at the Basel International Tattoo 2019 (Switzerland). Outside of playing traditional music, Chris has also performed in the world of musical theatre, playing keys for The Wedding Singer production at Eastwood Park Theatre, Glasgow in March 2019. As a composer and arranger, Chris’ work has included arranging music for the Fraser Shaw Trust, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) and a Royal Air Force performance for HM The Queen & The Royal Family. His arrangement of ‘MacKintosh’s Lament’ for piano, strings and vocals has reached audiences worldwide and was included in Eddi Reader’s programme on Scala Radio, exploring links between classical and folk music. In November 2021 Chris’ released his first collection of music, ‘Chris Gray’s Contemporary Tunes from Scotland’. The tune book is the culmination of years of composing, and the tunes are reflective of his strong upbringing with traditional music. Chris continues to take new strides in his composing and arranging, harvesting a continued love for all things music. In January 2020, at Celtic Connections in Glasgow, Chris released his self-titled debut album. It features all original compositions, rooted in the tradition of folk music, arranged for a multi-instrumental ensemble. Chris was a 2021 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year semi-finalist, and received a MMus Scottish Music Degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He was also one of the Pipers of the Scottish Session Orchestra that recorded for Hans Zimmer’s Dune film soundtrack. Chris’ playing is hugely influenced by his time spent listening to and playing folk music from a young age. During his time at the RCS, Chris studied traditional and classical music with acclaimed Irish pianist Mary McCarthy. In 2018, Chris spent a semester at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, experiencing a new influence of rich Swedish folk culture whilst simultaneously studying with jazz/folk piano maestro Arne Forsén. In May 2019, Chris released an EP with Swedish fiddler and singer Kristina Leesik – the result being a fusion of their shared passion for both Celtic and Scandinavian folk music. Kristina & Chris performed a sold out show in Stockholm for the EP release. As well as having performed internationally in Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Slovakia and Oman, Chris is in high demand as a teacher. In addition to his own tuition both in-person and online, he has held positions as a piano instructor at Riverside Music College in Glasgow (Scotland), and as a piping instructor at the renowned Scots College in Sydney (Australia). During his time in Australia, Chris performed at numerous folk clubs and at the Parliament of New South Wales.

Chris
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
4.9 out of 5
37 verified reviews
Satisfaction
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
4.8
Professionalism
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
4.8
Communication
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
4.8
Punctuality
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
4.8

Chris' Reviews

From Encore customers:

TG
Taofeek G
1 month ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Awesome performance by Scott fused with some African drum sounds.

CT
Caitlin T
5 months ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Chris was great, highly recommend!

NM
Nick M
9 months ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Absolutely fantastic! Thank you so much again!

AM
Andrea M
10 months ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

We came across Chris through the Encore app when looking for a piper for our wedding. His communication was great and he was very accommodating. In the end, Chris ended up not only piping for our wedding but also playing piano throughout our service. He is a very skilled musician and a lovely person, we had many compliments about the music played on our day! Highly recommend him for anyone looking for a piper or other music accompaniment for their big day Thank you Chris x

Read all 19 reviews

From other customers:

KN
Karl N
11 months ago, for a Private event in Craigrownie Castle
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Chris is an outstanding musician who made my 50th birthday celebrations very memorable. Chris played the piano for the champagne reception, and it was fantastic, it added a real classy ambiance to the celebrations, his catalog is vast and his music was enjoyed by all the guests. Then on New Year's Eve itself, he played the bagpipes at the entrance to the castle. It was amazing and authentic. Chris wore the full Scottish attire and amazed the guests. Everyone had a picture and everyone said how memorable it was. 100% book Chris again for my 60th! Such a great guy too and very easy to work with. Thanks so much again!

AM
Alison M
11 months ago, for a Wedding in Victory Avenue
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

A huge thank you for piping me down the aisle, it sounded incredible and meant so much to me that I could have that tune. Thanks again.

Read all 18 reviews
Encore badges
Lightning fast responses
Average response time under 2 hours
25 gigs
Pro: 25 bookings through Encore
Saved the day!
Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
7th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 7 years
Member of the Encore community forum

Chris' Song list

Bagpipes:
Scotland the Brave
Highland Cathedral
Amazing Grace
Mairi's Wedding
Loch Lomond
The Dark Island
Skye Boat Song
Flower of Scotland
Bonnie Lass of Fyvie
I love a Lassie
Stop Your Tickling Jock
Mist Covered Mountains
Going Home
Leaving Home
Hector the Hero
Sleep Dearie Sleep
Auld Lang Syne
Mull of Kintyre
Flowers of the Forest
A Man's a man for a' that
Happy Birthday
For He's a Jolly Good Fellow
The Black Bear
Hielan' Laddie
Morag of Dunvegan
Green Hills of Tyrol
The Battle's O'er
Bonnie Galloway
The Rowan Tree
The Water is Wide
She Moved through the Fair
High Road to Gairloch
We're No Awa' Tae Bide Awa'
Flett from Flotta
Loch Ruan
Lochanside
Flett from Flotta
Castle Dangerous
Battle of Waterloo
Wings
Kilworth Hills
Murdo's Wedding
Bonnie Dundee
Brown Haired Maiden
Loch Rannoch
Sine Bhan
Paddy's Leather Breeches
Glasgow City Police Pipers
Rory MacLeod
Kenny Gillies of Portnalong Skye
The Banjo Breakdown
The Curlew
Morag of Dunvegan
The Gael
Farewell to Govan
Dawning of the Day
The Atholl Highlanders
The Glendaruel Highlanders
Farewell to the Creeks
Leaving Port Askaig
Dalnahassaig
Susan MacLeod
Highland Wedding
Barren Rocks of Aden
Hills of Argyll
Fear a Bhata
La Boum
The Battle of the Somme
The Heights of Dargai
Loch Rannoch
Piano:
Ae Fond Kiss (Robert Burns)
All of me (John Legend)
Amazing Grace
A Million Dreams (The Greatest Showman)
A Thousand Years (Christina Perri)
Autumn Leaves
A Whole New World (from Disney’s Aladdin)
Bridge over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel)
Bring Him Home (from Les Misérables)
Budapest (George Ezra)
Caledonia (Dougie MacLean)
Can you Feel the Love Tonight (Elton John)
Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis Presley)
Castle on a Cloud (Les Misérables)
Chasing Cars (Snow Patrol)
Clocks (Coldplay)
Comptine d'un autre été: l'après midi (from Amélie)
Despacito (Luis Fonsi)
Don’t Stop Me Now (Queen)
Edelweiss (from the Sound of Music)
Für Elise (Beethoven)
Girls Like You (Maroon 5)
Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)
Harry Potter Theme
Here Comes the Sun (The Beatles)
Hey Jude (Beatles)
Highland Cathedral
I Dreamed a Dream (from Les Misérables)
I Giorni (Ludovico Einaudi)
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) (The Proclaimers)
Imagine (John Lennon)
Let it Be (The Beatles)
Life on Mars (David Bowie)
Loch Lomond
Love Story (Taylor Swift)
Maple Leaf Rag (Scott Joplin)
Memory (from Cats the Musical)
Mull of Kintyre (Paul McCartney)
Music of the Night (from Phantom of the Opera)
My Heart Will go On (Titanic)
My Love is like a red, red rose (Robert Burns)
Nuvole Bianche (Ludovico Einaudi)
Pachelbel's Canon in D
Perfect (Ed Sheeran)
Photograph (Ed Sheeran)
Pirates of the Carribean
Primavera (Ludivico Einaudi)
Senorita (Shawn Mendes & Camilla Cabello)
Shallow (A Star is Born)
Shotgun (George Ezra)
Someone You Loved (Lewis Capaldi)
Swear it Again (Westlife)
Take Me home, Country Roads (John Denver)
Tale as old as time (from Beauty & The Beast)
Tennesse Waltz
The Final Countdown
The River Flows in You (Yiruma) 
The Scientist (Coldplay)
Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran)
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)
This Year’s Love (David Gray)
Time (Inception)
Yellow (Coldplay)
You are the Reason (Calum Scott)
You Raise Me Up
Your Song (Elton John)
You’re Still the One (Shania Twain)
Wild Mountain Thyme
Wonderwall (Oasis)
Christmas
Silent Night
We Wish you a Merry Christmas
Jingle Bells
Good King Wenceslas
In the Bleak Midwinter
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
O Come All Ye Faithful
Happy Birthday
For He's a Jolly Good Fellow
For any songs you would like played that are not on this list, just get in touch!

Chris' Prices

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£100
Up to 1 hour£160
Up to 2 hours£185
Up to 3 hours£210

Add-ons

Tune Commisssion
+£150
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

- Entertaining - Professional & Personable - Tailored to the event

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

OVO Hydro, Glasgow Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow The Usher Hall, Edinburgh The Hallenstadion, Zürich, Oran Mor, Glasgow Blair Castle Wedding Venues: Lodge on Loch Lomond The Cruin, Loch Lomond Citation, Glasgow House for an Art Lover, Glasgow Springkell, Eaglesfield The Den at Culross Trades Hall of Glasgow

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

I love an eclectic mix of music - everything from pop classics to jazz, classical, traditional/folk music and everything in between! Since I was very young I have been around and involved in the thriving traditional music scene in Scotland and this has undoubtedly been one of the biggest influences on my music and style.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

- Piping for Her Majesty the Queen and The Royal Family - Piping the Stoltman Brothers into the OVO Hydro, Glasgow - New York Tartan Week - Wickham Festival (England) - Ortigueira Festival (Spain) - Lorient Festival (France) - Solo piano at Blair Castle (Scotland) for Keepers of the Quaich banquets - Edinburgh Festival live on BBC Radio Scotland Pipeline

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

If there are slight changes to timings after booking please just get in touch. I will always try to be as flexible as possible to make sure your event runs smoothly.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

I don't currently offer DJ services.

How much time do you need to set up?

If piping at your event, usually 30 mins before the performance time to just tune the instrument and warm up. For piano, typically 1 hours if the venue doesn't have a suitable piano and I will be setting up my own electric keyboard.

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

My set list has a huge range of different songs and styles to suit the occasion. As well as the songs noted I am more than happy to discuss specific choices to tailor to your event!

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes - I bring all equipment needed to perform. Depending on whether the venue has a suitable piano or not, I will bring my own electric keyboard and amp.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

Yes certainly! If a song isn't included in my repertoire list there is still a possibility I will know it. If you have a special song in mind just get in touch and I will be happy to learn this for your event.
Musicianship
Genres:
Traditional Scottish folk, Classical, Folk, Ceilidh, Jazz, Traditional Irish folk, Folk rock, Film / TV music, Musical theatre, Covers, Pop, Christmas, Traditional church music, 1990s era music, 1920s era music, 1930s era music, 1940s era music, 1950s era music, 1960s era music, 1970s era music, 1980s era music, Blues, Ragtime, Swing, Easy listening, Light music, Marching, Originals, Rock, World music
See all genres
Instruments:
See all instruments
Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve, Virtual event
See all event types
Other skills:
Arranger, Audio engineer, Composer, Transcription, Fluent sight-reader, Fluent improviser, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching, Accompanist
See all skills