I think it is a pity because I would like to think that traditional music is not just a snapshot in time to be studied in books and libraries, but experienced and added to by each generation. I am all for young musicians knowing the provinence of traditional music. But I would also like to think that there are people out their talking to actual people, learning and discovering communities and traditions before they disappear. It may be in my interpretation of tradition (I think we've been down this road!) differs from everyone else, but in 200 years time I don't want there to be a gap in our traditional music history -I want that generation to be able to hear songs about the decline of the farming, or the fishing in this century. I get letters sent to me all the time telling me stories and incidents which are totally fascinating, and invited to talk to people, harbour masters, Humber pilots, little old ladies in residential care who have amazing memories that they are desperate to capture-small stories amazing stories -all to make you cry or laugh and desperate to be made into a permanent memory in verse or song. We need young musicians to capture the here and now of our lives, before they are lost to us and all the generations to come. If the university courses sned out students into the community with notepad and pen so they can lay down traditions for the future -then bring it on-but I fear that they do not.