The London & South-East Branch of the Clarsach Society covers London and the home counties, and currently has around 120 members. Membership is open to players and non-players of any age and ability.

We have a number of clarsachs for hire, at competitve prices, for anyone wanting to try out the instrument, and we also keep a list of harp teachers.

All members receive a newsletter several times a year, with information about events organised by the branch and other harp-related events, reviews and articles. Harps and music can be advertised for sale in the newsletter, and there is a 'Would Like to Play' section to help people to get in touch with others to play together. Click here to see some past newsletters.

Information about harp-related events is also sent out regularly by email.

Branch events are open to all but members receive a reduction on the charge where there is one (sone events are free).

At our regular autumn residential course we give two reduced-rate bursaries for places, and we also now give an annual scholarship to be used for lessons, course attendance, or puchasing music.

Each year a number of ceilidhs are held, and also occasional workshops, and one or more residential courses, over a wide geographical area.

For the past few years a popular weekend autumn residential course has been held at The Friars, near Aylesford in Kent, with three invited tutors from Scotland and elsewhere.

In 2004 for the first time we organised a summer course in Normandy.

In 2005 we had another 'first' - a mini harp festival in London during the weekend of July 9-10.

Although as a branch of the Clarsach Society, our main emphasis is on the clarsach, or lever harp, we also cater for those playing the pedal harp, and for other types of music as well as traditional or Celtic. One of our workshops in 2004 was with the jazz harpist Park Stickney, and the London harpfest included workshops and recitals with harpists from Australia, New Zealand and America.

St Magnus the Martyr, London

If you would like to join the branch, or are interested in hiring a harp, please email us for further information.

You can also download a membership form here. Membership rates (per year) are currently £20 (adult) / £25 (family) / £12 (junior).

You need to become a member if you would like to hire a harp.

If you would like to know about other branches of the society, we can put you in touch with your nearest branch, or details are on the main Clarsach Society website.