We extend congratulations to two of our teachers who were successful in their A-level exams, and thank them for their contribution to the Pipers Club over many years. Both are going off to Scotland - Kathleen Donnellan to study in Edinburgh University, and Jarlath Henderson, who will continue his musical activities for a year before beginning his medical studies in Aberdeen.

We welcome some newcomers to our team of tutors including Martin Meehan returns to Armagh after some years away from home, and he joins Conor Byrne as flute tutor.

Congratulations to Una Garvey who has successfully completed her B.Mus Degree at Queen's University and Sally Walmsley-Pledl who has achieved an M.A. in Ethnomusicology also at Queen's and is now beginning her Ph.D.

Two of this year's teachers have been successful in their A levels - Aideen McAvinchey and Sinéad Lennon - and we wish them well in their university career. Many thanks to both girls who have contributed so much of their time to teaching our classes as well as performing in the Senior Group.

There are now many opportunities to pursue traditional music as an academic study; In GCSE, AS and A2 examinations, students may perform and compose traditional music. There are traditional music degree courses available in the University of Limerick, University of Newcastle-on-Tyne, Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama in Glasgow, and most recently, in the Dundalk Institute of Technology.