Richard Empson
Began to play the bagpipes in the late 1980s.
Founding member of the Southern Cross Pipe Band (Montevideo, Uruguay) in 1991, where he played until 1994.
Guest piper at the Omani Royal Guard Military Band (Muscat, Oman) between 1995 and 1997.
Founding member of Riverside Pipe Band (Montevideo, Uruguay) in 1998, where he played until 1999.
Founding member of the City of Rome Pipe Band (Rome, Italy) in 2001, where he played until 2002.
Re-joined Riverside Pipe Band in 2002, but as a drummer, playing mainly the bass and occasionally the tenor drums. Became the band’s first Drum Major in 2004.
Organiser of the 1st Uruguayan Celtic Music Festival (Encuentro Uruguayo de Música Celta) in 2003 and co-organiser of all subsequent editions of the Festival.
Founding member of the Scottish Pipe Band Association (SPBASA) in 2004.
Organiser of the 1st South American Pipe Band Gathering in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 2004 (G1).
Master of Ceremonies for the Shamrock Cup solo piping competition (the first in South America, held annually in Montevideo) since its 1st edition in 2011.
Vice-President of SPBASA since 2015.
Lead Drum Major at the 1st, 7th, 8th and 9th South American Pipe Band Gatherings.
SPBASA’s Senior Drum Major since 2017.
Awarded membership of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2017 for services to UK interests and promotion of British culture in Uruguay.
Dress & Deportment adjudicator at the 7th and 8th South American Pipe Band Gatherings.
Piping Adjudicator at the 2022 edition of the Shamrock Cup.