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Two of the primary aims of the Irish Pipe Band Association relate directly to the formation of a College of Piping and Drumming and its’ remit.

• Run courses, hold examinations, and issue certificates to successful pupils and to operate a College of Piping and Drumming for that purpose.

• The I.P.B.A. College of Piping and Drumming shall be recognised as the official educational authority within the Association.

Thus the Irish Pipe Band Association created a College of Piping and Drumming and mandated it with a Charter.
Within the Charter the objectives of the College are:

• The College of Piping and Drumming shall provide for the musical education of pipers and drummers to the highest possible standard.

• The College of Piping and Drumming may organise courses dealing with any aspect of pipe band education or administration.

The College was further given the responsibility of inducting new adjudicators to the Panel of Adjudicators.

The College is run by a Management Committee and financed by the National Executive Committee, as funds permit.
The Management Committee consists of:

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The concept of a National Youth Pipe Band, which would form to undertake concert like performances was revived by the circulation of a preliminary concert schedule to Committee Members in late January 2007. Realisation of the initiative required finance, which was not at that stage forthcoming.

The purpose of the N.Y.P.B. was to bring young pipers and drummers together in a bond of fellowship and learning, through performance in concert type events.

In April 2007, funding to assist with the N.Y.P.B. college project was allocated to the Irish Pipe Band Association by the Arts Council of Ireland. A definitive concert schedule was adopted and all association bands were canvassed for members and music was circulated to those who professed an interest.

Arts Council Grants were forthcoming from 2007-2009 to realise this project. The College of Piping and Drumming, in collaboration with N.E.C. of the I.P.B.A., would like to acknowledge the support of the Arts Council of Ireland, without whose assistance the three year programme of concerts would not have been possible.

The first concert, entitled Celtic Weave, took place in St. Michael’s Theatre, New Ross, County Wexford, on Saturday 19th April 2008. Fifty six (56) youths from fourteen (14) bands performed at this event which was judged to be a great success.

The programme for the second concert/recital was a development of the previous one with new and more advanced compositions. Practice for the concerts took place in a number of centres throughout the country, primarily in the Munster, North West and in the South East Branch areas.

In early February 2009 the National Youth Pipe Band performed at the Temple Bar Trad. Fest. in Dublin.
The second ‘in house’ event, the Celtic Notes Concert was staged in Siamsa Tíre, Tralee, Co Kerry, on Saturday 21th February 2009, to a full house and a very appreciative audience. Representatives of 15 bands participated in this event and the finale saw in excess of 100 members of the N.Y.P.B. on stage. The band finished to a standing ovation.

The final concert in the series was held in an Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny, Co Donegal on 20th February 2010.

In Letterkenny, history was made when three All Ireland and World Champion Bands from Co Donegal shared the stage with the NYPB – a hugely enjoyable event for all participants and a verification of the principal of people coming together in a ‘bond of fellowship’ through music.

The Management Committee of the College decided at an early stage that our NYPB would accept pipers and drummers of all standards and would endeavour to bring these players to as high a standard of playing as possible.
It was also hoped that this generation of pipers and drummers would avail of the opportunity to form friendships and would receive encouragement from being involved with their peers in a music making exercise outside the competition scene or the competition calendar.

This is very much in keeping with the aims of the IPBA – to encourage the culture and advancement of Piping and Drumming and promote a bond and fellowship between all Pipers and Drummers.

A positive spin-off from the N.Y.P.B. events, is that a bond did develop amongst the participants, which is thought to be responsible for the increase in the number of young people participating in our local solo contests.

Each of the three concerts was a huge PR success for the Irish Pipe Band Association and pipe bands in general.

Over the three years of its existence, the young pipers and drummers of the NYPB came together in a musical celebration of our Pipe Band Heritage and excelled themselves on each occasion. One hundred and thirty (130) young pipers and drummers participated in NYPB activities.

In excess of seven hundred people attended the concerts over the three years, and many of these were from non pipe band backgrounds. The vast majority of audiences in New Ross, Tralee and Letterkenny were extremely impressed by the effort and by the musicality of the NYPB.

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Standard pre-set, formalised Courses of Instruction had not featured on the College agenda in recent years as uptake was minimal and very little finance was available.

However the Management Committee has decided to recommence Graded Courses with a view to participants achieving certification from the I.P.B.A. College of Piping and Drumming and the Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board (PDQB) via the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.

The main object of the course delivery will be:

John G Sheehan

Objectives:

• The College of Piping and Drumming shall provide for the musical education of pipers and drummers to the highest possible standard.

• The College of Piping and Drumming may organise courses dealing with any aspect of pipe band education or administration.

• A Management Committee shall hold office for three years and shall consist of Convener, Dean of Piping, Dean of Drumming & four committee members.
• A College Convener shall be appointed to the Management Committee by the NEC.
• A Dean of Piping shall be appointed to the Management Committee by the NEC. The Dean of Piping must hold an PSPBA Advanced Certificate or equivalent music qualification.
• A Dean of Drumming shall be appointed to the Management Committee by the NEC. The Dean of Drumming must hold an PSPBA Advanced Certificate or equivalent music qualification.
• Four members shall be elected to the Management Committee at the AGM. A member of the Management Committee must hold, at least, an RSPBA Intermediate Certificate, Grade 5 IPBA or equivalent music qualification.
• The College Management will elect a Secretary/Treasurer from within its’ ranks, on an annual basis
• The College Convener shall furnish an Annual report on College activities to the AGM.
• The Management Committee shall have the power to co opt members with particular expertise.

• The College of Piping and drumming shall submit a programme to the NEC each June for the following educational year (September – May). The NEC shall fund the college programme, as funds permit.
  
• Course and examination fees.

Convener:
• The Convener is responsible for the day to day management of the College.
• The Convener shall arrange a minimum of two board meetings each year.
• The Convener shall liaise wit Branches and bands as to courses required, venues etc.
• The Convener shall liaise with Management Committee members regarding college activities.
• The Convener shall be a co-signatory on all college cheques.

Dean of Piping:
• The Dean of Piping is responsible for the maintenance of the highest possible standards within college courses.
• The Dean of Piping is responsible for practical examinations in piping.
• The Dean of Piping is responsible for the development of courses dealing with aspects of practical piping.

Dean of Drumming:
• The Dean of Drumming is responsible for the maintenance of the highest possible standards within college courses.
• The Dean of Drumming is responsible for practical examinations in drumming.
• The Dean of Drumming is responsible for the development of courses dealing with aspects of practical drumming.

Secretary/Treasurer:
• The Secretary/Treasurer shall assist the College Convener in maintaining communication between the Management Committee, branches, bands, instructors and students/participants.
• The Secretary/Treasurer shall maintain minutes of all Management Committee meetings. The minutes shall be communicated to all Management Committee members, within a reasonable time of each meeting.
• The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep a record of all monies spent by the College and furnish accounts to the NEC each year for audit.
• The Secretary/Treasurer shall be a co-signatory on all college cheques.
• The Secretary/Treasurer shall maintain a register of all successful candidates.

Thiepval Memorial [3B]
6th