From reading posts on another thread, I’ve decided to start (or continue) the topic here… OZ (Australia) could use more piping events. What is the general concensus here?
I’m sure there are a bunch of pipers around, but with everyone spread over roughly the same area as the US, distance is a factor in the failure of these things to really get going. We also have a much smaller population so that having a localised event would only draw a handful of pipers, if that, unlike the US where local Tional attract quite substantial numbers.
The other factor too is that for many of us east coast pipers, it is actually cheaper to fly to New Zealand rather than to many other places in Australia. Those in Western Australia could just about fly to Ireland for the price of a return flight across to the east.
Having said that, it is still entirely possible to have a major event. But again, there is no real piping organisation, no GNIUPC, SLUPC or whatever to manage such things.
As I said earlier, in Brsbane we have a fortnightly meeting, but it continues to only attract 3 or four of us at best even with advertsing - soon to be two as two of us are off overseas.
I wonder where all the Australian pipers are though, I mean, our four Australian makers here - McKenzie, Woof (prior to moving overseas), Jefferies and also McLaren have had largely local business and plenty of orders.
Giles, the contact details for the Koroit Summer School can be found at the bottom of this page:
http://www.celt.com.au/summer.html
Pat Lyons is teaching again so he may be able to provide other contact details if these ones don’t help.
To answer your question David I’m in Sydney and I bought my practice set from Ian. I know of one other guy here who plays. There appear to be 3 or so in Canberra. 5 or 6 up your way?? A couple in Adelaide, 3 or 4 over in Perth?? ..and I don’t know about Victoria. Although none of these numbers are for certain. They are only what I have managed to ascertain from talk on this forum.
Would a gathering work here as there are so few experienced players around and many more beginner level players? Would the few experienced players really want to endure all the questions, sqeaks and sqwawks from us beginners. Especially considering they would probably be travelling long distances to do so? I would certainly welcome a get together of some sort as i am still yet to even talk to another piper.
Hamish
Hi Hamish,
I’d be surprised if there weren’t more hiding in the woodwork, particularly down your way.
I don’t see why a gathering wouldn’t work and it would certainly help keep the spirit alive. Perhaps initially it could be tied in with one of the festivals, I’m thinking the National Folk Festival in Canberra at Easter time. There are pipers who go down to perform with their bands and that who may not necessarily have the time to get to a Tionol. And if anyone gets frustrated then they can go off and watch some world class acts. Once I get back from Jakarta I’ll be in a better position to make it down there. Of course then there’s the issue of timing. At least the Nat festival falls roughly in school holidays - good for us teachers.
I think it could be a mistake to piggyback a piping event onto another big music festival, too much distraction and too much cost for participants etc.
I am going to find out more about the Music Under the Mountain and what I heard about it moving from Tasmania to Victoria and report back. If what I heard is true then there may already be an event and venue for a piping gathering. I think that an event with structured teaching and maintenence workshops with opportunities for performance and group playing in a not too hectic atmosphere it the way to go. A country location usually suits well for this. This would make things affordable and give people the chance to focus on piping things. I shal do some looking,
Cheers,
Giles
Yes, Music under the Mountains has moved to Victoria. The piping class for 2007 is full.
Music under the Mountains has worked so well for so long because (amongst other things) it is a commercial venture. The organisers have the time and incentive to do the job properly. The rest of us do not. I guess that’s why Wagga is no more and nobody has stepped in with an alternative. I think the remarks about Oz apathy may also have some truth. After all the kiwis put on an excellent tional every year with a guest tutor from Ireland.
An Australian tionól would be a great thing to have. I’ve toyed with the idea, but running one is presently beyond my time-constraints (work, young family, two chooks, and a cat, taking precedence—not necessarily in that order). The pipers’ gathering at Wagga Wagga was not devoted to uilleann pipes and, having organised it a couple of times (once from Argentina—don’t ask!), I can attest that the venue was each time difficult to secure.
As mentioned, in a sparely settled country the size of the USA (remove Sydney and Melbourne and the rest fit in a church hall), travel around the wide, brown land can be difficult, and it is expensive. The New Zealand tionól is, for some, easier to get to for fulfilling the purpose (and cheap—good exchange rate—, green, damp, and mountainous).
Music Under the Mountains is excellent (IMHO!) but its numbers are limited. It is not exclusively for pipes, although the pipers are given plenty of their own space, and it provides a nice chance in the evenings to session with some pretty good musicians. Two very good pipers have emerged from it. One plays a B-set of his own making. He couldn’t get his hands on a set, so, with a bunch of Coyne-measurements and superlative skills on the lathe and stuff, he made a set instead: and they are a set to die for.
The National Folk Festival had about six pipers this year, nine last year. It is well worth attending. Magic sessions happen and the line up of artists is usually impressive (e.g., Gerry O’Connor, Lúnasa, Christy O’Leary, Enda Ó Catháin, Josephine Marsh, Máire O’Keefe, Billy Moran, Noel Hill, Arty McGlynn, etc., over the years). The more pipers come to it, the more fun we can have.
This all leads to three questions: Is an Australian tionól needed (yes)? Is it feasible? If so, what should be done?
P.
Patrick, is that the Tassie chap who lives in a tent?
I’m yet to make the Nat. but I’ve done Woodford up here a number of times and is has now become far too big and commercial.
Cheers,
David
Sounds like a virtual club is the way to go - connect on the 'net.
How many pipers can they accommodate?
Ausdag wrote:
is that the Tassie chap who lives in a tent? Can’t remember his name but Malcolm visited him a few months back and told me of him and his B set - I saw photos.
Last I heard he wasn’t living in a tent, unless he got chucked out of his digs in Hobart, where he is studying. His name is Andrew Flint.
Yes, Music under the Mountains has moved to Victoria. The piping class for 2007 is full.
How many pipers can they accommodate?
They can take six or seven, depending on the range of standards. The classes fill up by about Easter. Ya gotta be quick!
P.
That’s the man. Malcolm visited him a few months back to talk B chanters.
We are on the map!
We (Perth) are getting together on the 17th of this month. There is about 4 of us that are the regulars with about another 8 or so newbies to infrequent players/recluse.
I will talk to our lot about thoughts of a gathering. Bearing in mind that we are 3500 odd kilometers apart (dublin to moscow roughly i believe).
I will get back to this thread and perhaps Pm so youse lot so we can have a chat about some ideas.
All the best,
Liam
I was quite surprised to see that it had filled up already Patrick! I was giving it some thought but seems it will have to be 2008.
Where/when is the NZ Tionol? I had never considered that. You’re right flights to NZ are sometimes cheaper.
Hmm the Nat. Folk festival sounds excellent. Shame it clashes with the Maclean Highland Gathering (over 100 years old which I suppose for any European forum members 100 years seems like nothing, but for a tiny tiny Australian town its impressive) which I have attended without fail since I was 1 or 2 years old.
Seems Liam has Perth covered. How else (besides this forum) can we more Easterly Australians get the word around to see if there is any interest in an Australian Tionol?
Hamish
You’re right…tent guy is someone else.
I am prepared to work with some other people to try and organise an Uilleann Piping event (Tionol) somewhere in Australia. If anyone is interested in getting involved send me an email and we’ll see if we can get something going. I have a little experience organising and have a bunch of contacts about the place that could come in handy.
Contact me and we’ll see how much interest there is,
Cheers,
Giles
How 'bout Alice Springs. That’s pretty central to everyone.