Media

Píobaire, An, Volume 2, Issue 42, Page 1

Píobaire, An, Volume 2, Issue 42, Page 1
0 views

Properties

periodical Publisher
Na Píobairí Uilleann
periodical Editor
Chairman, NPU
periodical Title
Píobaire, An
volume Number
2
issue Content
IT;: I i __ _ __ ____ _I - - $ ______ - =I _ // _ _ _ _- _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _SRAITH 2UIMI-IIR 42EAN. 1989EDITORIALAwards ceremonies have become a commonplace in the entertainment industry. The object of these exercisesis, not unnaturally, publicity for the sponsors, performers and everybody e]se concerned. This being so the cere-monies are now themselves glamourised and presented as entertainment.There is no harm in all of this, as long as ye remind ourselves what is happening. Professional performersare honoured and get lots of valuable, free publicity, and businesses or institutions put up the money for theevents and also get valuable exposure.Where problems might arise is when awards are created for performers of traditional music. Unlike p jayersof popular music, traditional musicians are generally not looking for tame and fortune from their art. Themusic is mostly played outside the arena of commercial entertainment. Even with those players who do to oneextent or another make a living from it, a considerable amount of their playing would be done in the normalsocial context. Only a very small part of the traditional playing, singing and dancing that is done week inweek out around the country protrudes into the commercial entertainment scene and becomes visible to thosenot otherwise interested in traditional music. it goes without saying that with groups like the Chieftains, D cDanann and so on, traditional music is well represented in tile mainstream entertainment business. But thosegroups and individuals who play professionally represent only a tiny percentage of the players in the country,and accordingly the outstanding players who are not generally known greatly outnumber the oUtstanding playerswho are. Additionally, many musicians or singers might perform in a style which, though superb to those whocan appreciate it, is accessible only to their own informed, but restricted, public. One thinks immediately ofseanrids singers for example.The choosing for these awards ceremonies is done by groups such as small panels of supposed authorities ironthe entertainment industry or the general readerships of newspapers or magazines, and those chosen are alwayswell known figures from the various branches of entertainment. Therefore the bulk of first class traditional per-formers are out of the running for such recognition. Either they are not known to the selectors, or. if known,they are not in the business, and being in the business is an essential qua lilication.The competitions of fleadhanna cheoil and other occasions might seem to be the venue where the traditionalartist could get due recognition from his peers. But our music is essentially social, not competitive, and NaPiobairi Uilleann have always opposed competition for this reason. However we have decided that it is timethat pipers were honoured for their playing, and that the public in general be made aware of traditional musicas it is understood by dedicated followers of this art. In this regard ye have decided to organise a concert ofpiping, to be held in the National Concert Ha l ] close to the date of the autumn half-yearly fleeting. It willcover all aspects of the music, but the greatest emphasis will be on the pipes. It would obviously be impossibleto put on stage in one concert all the pipers one wished to see chosen in this way, so it is hoped that if thisyears event is successful it will become an annual event and an important date on Na Piobairi Uilleannscalendar.It is hoped to announce the participants for the first concert shortly. Given the talent available it iscertain to be an artistic success. It is up to the members to make it a financial success as well by promotingand supporting it.Terry MoylanContents:Editorial Page I Music Page 5News Items 2 Australia 6Piping in Glasgow 3 -Seanchas 7Holland 4 Seanchas & Ads. 8
issue Number
42
page Number
1
periodical Author
[Periodical]
issue Publication Date
1989-01-01T00:00:00
allowedRoles
anonymous,guest,friend,member

Píobaire, An, Volume 2, Issue 42

Related Keywords