NORTHUMBRIAN PIPERS SOCIETY

and other related organizations

The present NPS was formed in 1928 by about 12 people who were very concerned about the decline and possible disappearance of this traditional instrument and its music. It has grown steadily from a nucleus of interested persons to its current membership of about 750 worldwide. Of these, about half live within 50 miles of the original playing area (the present counties of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and parts of North Durham), and about 100 live outside the UK.

The NPS now has its own webpages giving more details of its history, activities, publications, how to join etc etc.
Click the badge.

Other related organizations

NSPSNA

The Northumbrian Smallpipes Society of North America was originally set up in the 1980's as a complementary organization to the NPS, primarily to enable North American players to keep in touch with one another. It currently has a contact list of around 175 pipers throughout the N.American continent. It has its own newsletter, produced and edited by Dick Hensold, and members run a spring meeting in New York State, USA. The principal North American gathering of pipers is the North Hero pipers convention, in Vermont, USA, which usually takes place the weekend preceeding Labour Day .There are also a few groups of pipers who meet regularly. Contact:

Richard Shuttleworth

1867 Theoret, Brossard, Quebec, Canada

Phone:(514)465-2579

E-mail: richard.shuttleworth@videotron.ca

or:
Dick Hensold
E-mail: dick@mn.uswest.net

New Zealand Northumbrian Pipers Society

Formed by recent emigrant, and now President, Helen Cook, an impressive array of new starters and long time resident pipers have joined forces to promote the Northumbrian pipes in New Zealand. They have a newsletter, and have recently imported tutors for workshops . All passing pipers are welcome. Contact Helen for more details:

E-mail: hcook@taranaki.ac.nz

or the Secretary: Sue Wilkins

E-mail: swilkins@csi.co.nz

Alnwick Pipers Society

The Alnwick Pipers' Society was formed in 1977 by members of the NPS branch in Alnwick, Northumberland, which originally started in 1933, and which had given rise, in the 1950's, to the Cheviot Ranters dance band.

The APS now is a mainly local organization of interested traditional musicians, who meet once a month in the Plough Inn, Bondgate Without, Alnwick at 8pm, for a playing session in 'F' pitch. The tunes played are those common to all Northumbrian piping sessions, but with an additional emphasis on tunes used for dancing in North Northumberland and the Borders area. Other instruments, particularly fiddles, are prominent at these meetings, and visitors are welcome.

In addition the APS organises the Alnwick Northumbrian Gathering, on the second weekend in November - two days of concerts, competitions and dances in Alnwick.

Full details of this event, their other activities, and the tuition offered may be found on their website,
or phone Tony Brooker-Carey, (0)1665 712044

Northumbrian Musical Heritage Society

This is an organization run by Lance Robson, originator of the Northumbrian Musical Heritage Trust collection of bagpipes, which holds playing / tuition meetings in the Morpeth area. Members have their own grading examinations, and play in public at various local and charity events. Lance also maintains contacts with pipers around the world, and branches of the Society organise events in their own areas.

Page last modified 22 Oct 2007.

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