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The Society was founded in early 2003 with the aim of furthering the appreciation, understanding and knowledge of the music of Sir Arthur Bliss (1891-1975). He was one of the most important figures in British musical life from the early 1920s (when he was regarded as an enfant terrible) through to his later years and his tenure of the office of Master of the Queen's Music from 1953 until his death.

The Committee benefited greatly from the support and encouragement of the late Lady Bliss, our first President, and then from the late George Dannatt. For the Chairman's tribute to him, and links to press obituaries, click here. Our Vice-Chairman, David Wilby, has written an appreciation for MusicWeb: click here.

We were delighted when Peter Ainsworth MP and Ian Venables accepted invitations to become Vice-Presidents of the Society. Our Chairman recently had lunch with them at the House of Commons (photograph). Following George's death Ian has agreed to become our third President, and Terry Barfoot to follow Ian as a Vice-President. We are confident that, with Peter, both will continue the tradition of their predecessors in assisting us to promote appreciation and the performance of Sir Arthur's works.

Frank Crownshaw, our Treasurer since the foundation of the Society, has just retired, and is succeeded in that role by Helen Wilby. Frank has managed our accounts with great care and prudence, and has our thanks and good wishes for his retirement, although of course he remains with us as an active member of the Society.

A substantial Newsletter is published twice a year, in the Spring and Autumn, and the latest has just been sent to members. A separate cumulative Index to the first twelve issues is currently available and a copy was sent out with the previous Newsletter. Non-members wishing to buy copies of the Newsletter or the Index please contact the Chairman.

The website of The Bliss Trust contains biography, bibliography and discography, and we complement this on the Society's site with active information about social and study events, current news and comment, details of membership, how to join and how to contact us. For details of current CDs please look at the Bliss Trust website. The photographs page will return shortly.

Our Performances page is accessed by lovers of Sir Arthur's music worldwide, and we are as keen to include notices of performances abroad as we are in the UK. We know that far more performances take place in other countries than we show on our Performances page and we look to our site visitors for information. We have no other regular means of knowing about concerts before they take place.

The Enquiries page gives the opportunity to site visitors, whether members of the Society or not, to contribute questions or comments.

We devote a page to the Charlton Kings Choral Society because of its close links with the late Lady Bliss, initially through our Chairman. Six of our seven Committee members belong to the choir, and the seventh, John Wright, is its Conductor.

The Links page joins us to other interesting and relevant websites : please suggest any useful additions. Please also let us know of forthcoming performances of Bliss music so that we can publicise them here. Click here to contact the webmaster.