Na Píobairí Uilleann

Chairman, NPU

An Píobaire

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9 3 20 20130712 T HE WEEKEND of April 19-21, 2013 saw the 16th St. Louis Tionól being held. This year was a resounding success and once again confirmed that it continues to be one of my favorite events of the year. Mike Mullins always seems to pull in an amazing teaching staff, and this year was no exception. Piping classes were taught by Jimmy O’Brien- Moran, Neillidh Mulligan, Brendan Collins and Michael Cooney. The weekend starts with a 3-day reeds class on Thursday. Instructors include Jim Wenham and Brendan Collins. Jimmy O’Brien-Moran spent a productive two days with the cane adding to the overall ambience. The tionól proper kicked on Friday night at the Schafly Tap Room, a local brew pub. Several of the guest instructors performed to a large audience at the first of two concerts of the weekend. After a full day at work and a 5 hour journey, I was feel- ing a bit bleary-eyed on arrival, but was quickly rejuvenated by the wonderful music of Jimmy- O’Brien-Moran. JOBM was in great form, and I knew that this was the beginning of a brilliant weekend. Following the concert, a céilí was held in one of the big rooms at the brew pub; while ses- sions sprang up in every other available corner, and old friends gathered around the bar to catch up. Saturday morning, students and teachers filed into Nerinx Hall, weary from the previous night’s fes- tivities. As the time approached for classes to start, I was still struggling to decide which class to take! The piping staff was exceptional, as was the flute and whistle staff. I resolved to simply float from room to room, soaking up the music of as many instructors as possible, and I began my journey in Neillidh’s class. By the mid-morning break, I re- alized that I could not pull away from Neillidh’s class. I spent the entire day learning tunes, exper- imenting with variations and technique and listen- ing to stories of days traveling with Séamus Ennis. It was an honor and a joy to get to know Neillidh and to experience his music. All reports from friends who were in the other classes were just as positive. In all, 19 world-class musicians pro- vided instruction in pipes, flute, whistle, concertina, mandolin/banjo, fiddle, guitar, harp, singing and bodhrán. Quite a feat, but Mike and his able volunteers make it look easy. Jim Wenham continued to hold court with the reedmaking as well as fixing various sets of pipes brought to him during the day. 20 ~ EVENTS ~ St. Louis Tionól Skip Cleavinger Larry Green Jim Wenham helping Cathy Wilde

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