IMRO Supports Development of the Irish Uilleann Pipes
Na Píobairí 
Uilleann are delighted to announce the support of the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) for Pipe-Up, an outreach teaching programme for the Uilleann Pipes.
Pipe-Up delivers tuition on the uniquely Irish uilleann pipes over a two year programme to Primary School children in fifth and sixth class. Students are provided with a practice instrument from Na Píobairí Uilleann’s Pipes On Loan instrument bank and receive regular weekly lessons.
The young musicians are also encouraged to develop their performance skills by ensemble and solo playing at school concerts and other public recitals. The project builds on a successful pilot with several Dublin schools.
The Pipe-Up programme also provides important development opportunities for emerging uilleann pipers seeking to build a career as professional musicians by providing a creative outlet through teaching and transmission of the music. The programme also includes mentoring of teachers and professional development through training on contractual, copyright and royalty considerations.
The project is a core element of Na Píobairí Uilleann’s Sharing the Sound of Ireland Strategy built on for objective pillars of Access, Education, Performance and Preservation, delivered through the organisation’s commitment to excellence in values, governance and processes.
About Na Píobairí Uilleann
Na Píobairí Uilleann (NPU), the Society of Uilleann Pipers was founded in 1968 by pipers with the aim of protecting a threatened art form. Now, forty six years later, NPU is a thriving arts organisation with thousands of members, dedicated to servicing the aims and needs of uilleann pipers worldwide. It is the ambition of NPU to establish the music of the uilleann pipes as a major art form around the world in the 21st century. Since unveiling its restored Georgian premises at 15 Henrietta St, Dublin in January 2007, NPU has been busy catering for the expanding demand for regular tuition as well as releasing a number of significant publications and recordings. With demand for pipes considerably exceeding supply, a dedicated Training Centre – PipeCraft – has been established to deliver training in the very highly skilled craft of uilleann pipemaking. NPU’s commitment to tuition, both on a weekly basis at its premises and internationally, continues to grow, along with its public performance programme.
NPU also maintains a significant online presence. Source, our web-based piping and traditional music resource, makes available our accumulated training, tutorial and archive materials to lovers of Irish music around the world.
Na Píobairí Uilleann’s primary funding agencies include the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht, The Arts Council / An Comhairle Ealaíonn and Dublin City Council
Na Píobairí Uilleann, 15 Henrietta Street, Dublin 1, Ireland
W: www.pipers.ie E:info@nullpipers.ie P:00353(0)1 8730093
