For some time now I have been considering joining the NPU. I am having some trepidation about doing so however. Since I have joined this forum, I have read some unappealing comments about the website, archives and the orginization.
So I have decided to solicit opinions on this matter from you, boys and girls. Do I, or do I not join NPU?
I’d appreciate any and all opinions on this topic.
Thanks.
NPU deserves the support of every piper, maybe not always unreserved but it does none the less. As a great man recently said ‘there are still some good people in it’.
Did I say that? 
I fully support NPU. It has its frailties, as any largely volunteer organization is bound to have, but they none-the-less provide a service to us all in preserving our past, ensuring top teaching techniques are passed on, and in directly participating in the ongoing training of the next generation of great pipers (wish I was one of them).
Some quick examples of their contributions off the top of my head are the book and recordings of Patsy Tuohey, the Willie Clancy and Seámus Ennis books, the CDs of Johnny Doran, Tommy Kearney and Seán McAloon, and the upcoming compendium of Ennis’ playing.
Despite their short-comings, I believe that a fringe group like us UP players need a central organization of some kind, and NPU seems to be it. I think we would all be worse off without their support, and it is up to us to support them.
djm
Join.
PD.
Who was slagging off NPU? I think most of the criticism would be not about things they are doing, but about things some people wish they were doing that they are not. Anyway, some concrete reasons to join NPU:
Just join…there’s no argument here
To be precise and pin point the exact people and comments would require a serch on my behalf, and being a lazy creature by nature, I’m not going to run one.
But, suffice it to say, there have been concerns regarding the web site being up, then down, then up and down again. In addition, there have been concerns regarding exactly what is or isn’t available for members to peruse through the web site etc…etc.
We live in an age where technology is moving faster than we mere mortals are capable of adapting to, so I am very understanding of web sites having problems due to the advancing age of their servers and operating systems.
I feel it is important to support the NPU, and what I believe it to stand for, but I also feel it is important that it meets my requirements. Bottom line, are the benefits really worth the membership fee (not that the fee is king’s ransom mind you)? Is there a newsletter, and how often is it sent out to members? Also, getting to Dublin anytime in the near future is an impossibility for a full time Vet Tech student like me. 
I, like the rest of the contributors to this forum, am intensely into piping and doing so to the ultimate best of my talent and ability. I am, sadly, living in a very isolated area of central Florida, where there are very few pipers, and fewer who can instruct at a competent and challenging level.
I am a member of Cumann na bPiobvairi, and Iris na bPiobairi is a wonderful and informative publication. But still, I hunger for more. This is why I have considered becoming a member of NPU as well. But I want to be certain that it will be money and effort well spent.
You could write or e-mail NPU and ask them for a complimentary copy of the latest newletter (it was going out today).
What D’Arcy said.
Join.
I’ve been a member since I bought my practice set back in 1996, and have always been glad I did.
Stay tuned,
BrianC
i’ve been a member going back a long time (well, maybe not so long considering how long some pipers here have been playing)
An Piobaire is about the only thing they offer of which I’m currently availing myself, but it is worth the membership fee.
plus, it’s a good cause.
join.
a) if ye feel thus then why are ye asking this question?
b) Five magazines per annum,now in colour format with articles frae members,technical tips,tunes to learn(or not) items for sale etc.
c) The big advantage of NPU is to support people living nowhere near Dub.
d) Back to a) really, so as it is a roundabout ye should have no hestitation in partin with your pennies(19euros for unwaged/student,thats $23 US).Such a small amount,ye would probably spend that on a not so good night out!
Don’t forget the pipes that ye are holding in your hands would probably not be there if it were not for NPU.
Uilliam
Uilliam wrote: "a) if ye feel thus then why are ye asking this question? "
I feel it is important, but before I part with my money, I want to be certain that it is the right thing to do. Sometimes, it isn’t always right to support an orginization based on how important one feels it is. For example, say there is a large charitable orginization that does a lot of good world wide, but they also do questionable things as well that do not set right with you. Would you support it, or not? I guess it boils down to what you are comfortable with.
Well, that’s a lot clearer, Joseph. You say you are concerned that there may possibly be a seamier side to NPU. I agree it is best to check these things up front.
Now that you mention it, there were those allegations about Brother Gildas and the choir boys, but they were never proven. And what can we say in general about grown adults abusing octopi in such a bizarre manner? And if NPU are located in the south, they must surely be paying protection money to keep the IRA going. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out they’re ferrying arms into Armagh, to boot.
You’re right! The more I think about it, the more disreputable NPU becomes.
I’m glad we’ve had this little chat. Hope that helps clear things up for you,
djm
OK, perhaps a better example could’ve been used. My point being: Is it worth it to me? That is my reasoning for asking your opinions… and so far, they are positive and with nary a ‘nay’ among them.
Thank you.
I recently joined NPU and after receiving only two copies of the newsletter, I can say its already been worthwhile.
They are working on updating the website, so that problem should be taken care of in the near future.
I joined to help ensure the ongoing work that they are doing to preserve this bit of heritage, and besides if you aren’t a member, then its a lot more difficult to criticize! 
The other reason I joined was to be a “card carrying member of the pipers club”…certainly no one would know it from my playing!
Slainte!
Gary
I joined a few years ago… never received a newsletter. Oh well 
Read this thread and decided to renew my membership-- at least i can read the old newsletters. Dont think those were online when I first joined.
As a newbie, I also joined without so much as a second thought. Guess I thouoght it was the ‘right’ thing to do.
I’m having problems reading the Back Issues of the newsletter though!
Any one else find this?? 
Slainte
Jimbo
Jimbo,
According to djm, you haven’t installed acrobat onto your pc proper like 
I think it’s just some pages, I’ve had no prob, but 1 in every 7 or so comes up mumbled.
Anyway, you paid up yet Joseph?? The early archive pages are great, I read one about a woman in the 70’s in Limerick with a W. Rowesome set that she was holding back on a sale, wanting no less than a grand. Gosh how times change…
Alan
Haven’t paid up yet, but I am moving in that general direction. A 1,000? My, things have indeed changed somewhat.
Joe, I joined back in 1999, a year before I got my practice set and 2yrs prior to geting my K&Q half-set. I did this because I was investigating and studying anything I could get my hands on about the uillean pipes being a lone-piper in my area as well as yourself. As others have stated in this discussion, the price is fair enough that if the only thing you ever get is the magazine then youv’e done OK. I have been to Dublin to visit the house (NPU) and I can guarentee the money is being used to further the piping around the world, they sure could use some remodeling and fix up but that’s another topic.
I have ordered books,cd’s, and even reedmaking supplies and everything has been discounted as advertised and came in a reasonable amount of time, considering the slow pace of Ireland to US mail. The staff has always answered my email questions and I actually contacted them to help some members of the USAF Reserve Pipes and Drums get two weeks of private tuition for their Irish group and Cieran(no longer works for NPU) was very helpful.
They may have some fauls and troubles but in the long run, I think it is a worthwile venture in keeping the tradition of Irish piping alive and well around the globe.
My recommendation is to join for a year and if it is not too your liking do not renew.
PS: I spoke with John Maze at the East Durham Irish Music Week and B. McNamara was invited to instruct at the FL Tionol in Feb. Details need to worked out before anything is final.