Samson awarded MBE
Captain Stuart Samson, Director of the Army School of Bagpipe Music, has been named a Member of the British Empire (MBE) as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s recent annual Birthday Honours. Samson received the honour in recognition of his services to piping.
Stuart Samson began his military career in 1978 as a junior piper with the Gordon Highlanders. He rose to the rank of Pip-Major in 1990 and then, upon amalgamation of the Scottish regiments, became Pipe-Major of The Highlanders in 1998.
In 2000 he was named Senior Pipe-Major of the British Army, a position held by such illustrious names as Willie Ross, John A. MacLellan and Pipe-Major Angus MacDonald. Samson was named Director of the Army School of Bagpipe Music in 2003.
As a soloist he has won the Silver Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering and has achieved prizes in the Highland Society of London Gold Medal contests, among many other awards.
He is currently a member of the new Grade 1 Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band, sponsored by Glenfiddich.
Samson follows the recent piping- and drumming-related MBE appointments of Jim Kilpatrick, Roddy MacLeod and James McIntosh.
That should read Army School Of Bagpipe Music AND Highland drumming. Sorry to be picky but drummers are only human!
Did anyone else notice a certain name on the roster of the Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band”…. http://www.spiritofscotlandpipeband.com/band-members/andrew-berthoff/ Good luck Mr. Editor that will be a fun group to be part of.”