The English Folk Dance and Song Society is delighted to announce that Eliza Carthy MBE has agreed to become its next President. Eliza takes over the honorary post from Shirley Collins MBE, who was President between 2008 and 2020. Only three others have held the position since the Society was founded in 1932: Ralph Vaughan Williams, Princess Margaret and Ursula Vaughan Williams.
Describing herself simply as a ‘modern English musician’, Eliza Carthy is one of the most recognisable faces in British folk. Steeped in the folk traditions of England from an early age, she has spearheaded the re-emergence of English traditional music as a vibrant, exciting genre. Eliza has been Vice-President of the English Folk Dance and Song Society since 2008.
Katy Spicer, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the English Folk Dance and Song Society, said ‘We are very pleased to start another chapter in the organisation’s long-standing and valued association with Eliza. She is superbly imaginative ambassador for the folk music of England, celebrating its history hand-in-hand with an ever-innovative approach to music-making today. Eliza’s support will be invaluable as we continue our mission: to champion the folk arts at the very heart of England’s rich and diverse cultural landscape.’
Eliza Carthy said: ‘Since I was a child my family has spoken of the institution of the English Folk Dance and Song Society as the trove of our traditions. My first visit to the house as an adult to research the Carpenter collection on microfiche for my first album was like a pilgrimage, an experience never forgotten. The Society has since worked tirelessly to make the Archive and library available to the wider modern world via their online resources; the treasure is now free to curious minds all over the world.
‘When a laughing Shirley Collins and I put our handprints in cement outside the House in 2008 I didn’t imagine that I’d one day be given the honour of President of the Society. The English Folk Dance and Song Society continues to be custodian of the people’s shared cultural history whilst looking forward to the future. I’m beyond delighted to accept this position.’
New Board Members:
The English Folk Dance and Song Society has appointed two new members, Angeline Morrison and Arti Prashar, to its Board.
Angeline Morrison (Rowan/Morrison) is a folk singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and music educator with a background in academic research.
Angeline said: ‘The English Folk Dance and Song Society is right at the heart of the folk songs and dances I love, doing great work to keep traditions alive. It’s very exciting to be able to contribute to such a valuable organisation.’
Arti Prashar is at the forefront of sensory theatre for learning disabled people and people living with dementias. She is a commissioned artist for Culture Box, she delivers workshops for MA students on Rose Bruford’s Collaborative Theatre Making course, and she has recently acted as dramaturg for Oily Cart’s Space to Be. She stepped down as Spare Tyre’s Artistic Director/CEO in August 2019 after 19 years of inspirational and acclaimed leadership in which she supported ensembles of learning-disabled artists and artists aged 60+, and nurtured ensembles of associate artists from a range of backgrounds by offering artists paid internships before it was fashionable. She is a Creative Youth Trustee, she advises CADA, and she is an active member of What Next? Wandsworth.
Arti said: ‘I am a story-maker and storyteller with a great fondness for folk and traditional stories with a modern twist. I want to inspire and share my knowledge and skills to inform a forward-thinking organisation with heritage at its heart.’
Lorna Aizlewood, Chair, said: ‘Arti and Angeline both bring a wealth of experience and wisdom, including in many areas which historically have been under-represented amongst our Board. I am delighted to welcome them.’
The English Folk Dance and Song Society champions the folk arts at the heart of England’s rich and diverse cultural landscape. As the national development agency for the folk arts, it delivers a dynamic national and local education programme, enabling and increasing access to the folk arts. It runs the acclaimed National Youth Folk Ensemble. It supports folk artists through a flourishing artists development programme. It manages the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library – England’s national folk music library and archive – which contains a vast collection of books, manuscripts, films and audio-visual materials. The custom-built headquarters of the English Folk Dance and Song Society is Cecil Sharp House, a busy arts centre situated just north of Regent’s Park in central London.
Find out more here: https://www.efdss.org/