The English Poetry & Song Society was founded in 1983 by Alfred Warren, after hearing a workshop on English Song by John Carol Case, who subsequently became its first President, and supported us with many generous donations. When he retired in 2000, he was succeeded by joint Presidents, Meriel Dickinson and Ian Partridge for a five year term, who contributed to a Dunelm CD recording with four songs by Ivor Gurney; followed by Jane Manning and Stephen

Roberts, who gave a masterclass for young singers in Bristol in 2008, with an evening concert. Our current presidents are Sarah Leonard and Stephen Varcoe; with the addition of Raymond Warren as our composer-president.

The EPSS is dedicated to the promotion of English Art Song

by performance, recording and competitions for composers; and has presented concerts in Melksham, Bath, Gloucester, Bristol & London; as well as issuing CDs of some of our concerts on the Dunelm label: Songs of Dorset; Lights Out; Shropshire Lads, & The Great War Remembered. Songs by 3 composer-members are on the Mynstrallsy CD: English Heartland Songs;

A newsletter is issued twice a year, featuring a sample song from a composing member, along with a full list of songs.