Chris started playing the Trumpet at the age of 11 and, in his own words "has been at it for over 40 years". At 15, he joined the Army in HM Life Guards Band and went to Pirbright Guards Depot as a Junior Musician. At 5 foot tall, Blond Hair, Blue Eyes, an Unbroken Voice and speaking with a Lisp, life was never going to be easy in this "mans world". This was particularly evident in a concert to the whole of the Guards Depot the following year. As the Band played "Sea Shantys", Chris was forced to dress as the Cabin Boy and sing the Soprano Solo! He quickly learnt to sleep with his back to the wall!! In 1971, Chris attended Kneller Hall Army School of Music for a year and then joined the main band where he carried out the normal calendar of State and Civil engagements. He also became part of the Ceremonial Trumpeters Team and has a particularly happy memory of typical inept Army organisational skills at the Colchester Spotlight Tattoo. Picture the scene: - An arena packed with over 1000 participants of the Tattoo, 8 Mounted Trumpeters and 2 Drum Horses. The opening Fanfare was played and, as the last note died away, there was a sudden fly-past of 3 Harrier Jets of which the Trumpeters had been given no prior warning about! The horses and riders shot off an all directions like the charge of the Light Brigade, with people being trampled under the hooves, the arena now looking like the final moments of Custer's Last Stand! Chris also played the Saxophone when in the Mounted Band so had to learn to steer his horse with his knees as both hands were needed to play. He left the forces in 1975 and was a founder member of Kent Police Band in 1977 with whom he still plays today. Over the years, he has had the opportunity to play a number of instruments before realising he can do the least damage on Tenor Horn! This is the instrument Chris has settled on and has had the privilege of playing in numerous Brass Bands across the Southeast of England over the years.