Kyle Warren, Helensburgh

He Will Rock You!

When 23 year old Kyle Warren approached the Royal Caledonian Schools Trust (now known as Royal Caledonian Education Trust) for funding with music tuition, he didn’t know that his Friday night pipe dreams would see him performing in front of audiences around the world.

Kyle Warren grew up in Helensburgh with his mum, while his father was serving in the Middle East. He enjoyed school but was keen to do something that would occupy his time, away from his studies. His best friend, Keith Bowes, had been attending piping classes thanks to grant monies he received from the Royal Caledonian Schools Trust. When Kyle discovered this, he decided he would make an application to do the same.

Kyle applied to the Trust for funding and was successful. He attended the National Piping Centre and within a very short period it soon became clear to his tutors and fellow musicians that he had a natural talent for piping. He spent eight years learning the pipes and when he left school in 2006, the grants committee of the RCST agreed to continue to support Kyle in pursuit of his dreams of a musical career.

In 2010 Kyle graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy for Music and Dance (RSAMD) and he is now a successful full-time musician. He regularly performs with The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, which since walking away with the top prize on UK primetime TV talent show, ‘When Will I Be Famous’ in 2007, have captivated audiences all over the world with their signature ‘Bagrock’ bagpipe sounds.

With three highly successful albums already under their belts, the band has just released their fourth album entitled ‘Music For The Kilted Generation’. Their previous live album and DVD ‘BLAST Live!’ has already gone triple platinum in Scotland and their second album ‘Bagrock To The Masses’ received platinum in Scotland and silver status in the UK.

As well as performing with The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Kyle is also signed to KRL records and released his own solo album and book after reaching the final of the Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2010.

Despite his busy schedule, Kyle gives his time generously to the Trust, performing at events and giving encouragement to other young people from military families who want to fulfil their educational potential but don’t have the means to do so.

Commenting he said “If you have aspiration to achieve something in life whether its an art form, a profession or a trade the Caley has the potential to close the gap between what’s possible and what’s not. I will never forget the chance that the Royal Caledonian Schools Trust gave me in life all those years ago. When I left university the relationship could have stopped there, but they remain like a family to me, always there and for that I will always be grateful.”

Updated: 2012