Benefits of Joining EFDSS 

The EFDSS promotes a diverse folk arts and education programme nationally and at Cecil Sharp House, aimed at stimulating the practice and enjoyment of folk music, dance and song. It also acts as a national focal point for folk music activity, assisting with a wide range of enquiries, and co-operating with other similar organisations, both within this country, and around the world.

The EFDSS is the trustee of the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library - the country's national archive and resource centre for folk music, dance and song. This is a unique multimedia collection, which includes over 11,000 books and 3000 recordings, as well as films, videos, photographs and manuscripts. It supports an ongoing programme of archival and contemporary research, and additions are constantly being made to the collections. The Library provides help and advice to researchers at all levels as well as performers, the media and the public.

The EFDSS offers a national Education and Training Programme providing support and materials to teachers delivering the traditional dance element of the National Curriculum and the EFDSS also offers a variety of accredited courses in music, dance and performance.

The EFDSS produces recordings, books, pamphlets and training materials, as well as two periodicals - the quarterly magazine English Dance and Song, and the annual Folk Music Journal.  With your help the EFDSS will ensure its' resources and those of the Library are used for the wider benefit of the thousands who enjoy folk music, dance and song at concerts, dances, displays and clubs all over the country.

With your help the EFDSS will:

• preserve and promote this living tradition - securing the heritage for future generations

• record the ever-evolving traditions of communities within England

• expand its valuable educational work with young people in schools

• maintain and develop the resources in the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library

• catalogue and conserve the Library's ever growing collection of books, manuscripts and recordings

• make the Library collections accessible to researchers, performers, other enthusiasts and the public

• encourage research and collection from existing and emerging communities

• offer a diverse programme of events, concerts, dances, training courses, lectures and workshops

• engage thousands of people in celebrating the strength, multiplicity and ethnicity of the folk arts in contemporary society

Your money will be used wisely to increase the enjoyment, access to and engagement of the widest possible audience in the folk arts and in securing our folk heritage as a living, evolving tradition for future generations.

Benefits of Membership:

As a member you will receive:

• 4 free copies of English Dance and Song - a quarterly magazine introducing, debating and promoting the folk traditions of England and beyond

• free use of the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library

• a free copy of the Folk Music Journal - the internationally acclaimed annual publication of folk articles, papers and essays.

• public liability insurance, indemnity limit £5 million.