Many of the teachers are also working in schools while others have taken up full time professional and academic careers in traditional music. The past 30 years has seen traditional music gain enormous status all over the world and Armagh Pipers Club has played its part in that development through its classes and its publications. Numerous top professional performers have told us that their first experience of traditional music was when they opened one of our tutors. Now as we face into the new millennium we have the advantage of years of experience and the constant learning process that has honed our skills in promoting traditional music. The past 30 years has seen an enormous increase in our resources and in the general acceptance of traditional music as a normal part of society and as a desirable activity for children and adults.
Traditional music is above all else a community-based music.
Acceptance of the music in the community has been enhanced over the years by the provision of grant aid from many public sources. The club has benefited over a period of almost 25 years from Arts Council funding, now a vital help in any voluntary organisation. Local government too has been generous over the years with Armagh City and District Council supporting many of the events and for many years providing premises for classes etc. More recently the club received its biggest single funding from the National Lottery to help provide a musical instrument loan service. Many awards have come to the club including the Bass Charrington Arts Award and the Gradam She in U Bhaoill to mention just two and these have greatly enhanced the reputation and standing of the club.