Rowan , do you think it would be a good idea if Comhaltas replaced competitions with exams. Comhaltas have since they were formed managed to prevent the irish music and singing tradition from dying and turned it into a flourishing and strong position, they have given alot of people pleasure and done many good things, mainly through the competition system.They have also altered the tradition they have tried to preserve by giving so many marks for ornamentation[ some competitors believe that they have to have more and more ornamentation,] the exam system doesnt put so much stress on ornamentation, I see that as a good thing.By the way I dont think I have once called Martin Carthy a traditional singer, it may have been implied, the whole point is that comhaltas exams [see page 44,] show that whether a performer is tradional or revivalist is not that important, another healthy sign, the one flows into the other.I mentioned it as being EFDSS REMIT. because they are supposed to be the guardians of english folk dance and song. however newcastle university seem to be taking a more positive attitude at the moment. In Ireland the irish folk tradition ,including maypole dancing is taught in most primary schools.The facts are that comlhatas have been responsible with a much smaller population ireland 4million, england 52 million,in preventing the disappearance of irish traditional music. england can analyse, look at some of their ideas, and draw inspiration from the irish example, as scotland and Newcastle university have done.