New Convenor of The Clarsach Society
A professional harpist who has performed for royalty and celebrities has been elected as the new Convenor of The Clarsach Society. Golspie-born Jennifer Port, a renowned professional clarsach player and previously Vice Convenor of the Society, took over the reins on 17th November at its Annual General Meeting in Edinburgh, building on the 11 years of service given by its outgoing Convenor Kate Gray. Jennifer is well known within the clarsach community, having played for The Princess Royal, Madonna and the Duke of York and she has the credibility and experience to lead The Clarsach Society.
For Kate Gray, handing over to Jennifer was a natural progression and she welcomes the prospect of the next generation taking ownership of an organisation which seeks to promote Scotland’s oldest instrument. Kate described her times with the Society as, “Sometimes testing but always rewarding and inspiring” and said that she would look forward to working with Jennifer in years to come. In thanking Kate for her service, Jennifer said: “Kate has done a fabulous job as Convenor of the Society and has shown huge commitment, support and leadership.”
Jennifer’s own involvement with The Clarsach Society began at primary school and she has been an active member of the Executive Council holding senior positions on the Music Committee and Executive Council. Jennifer said, “ I hope to continue moving The Clarsach Society forward, encouraging new members and promoting the many great features of the Society, including harp hire, local branch activities and the fantastic annual Edinburgh International Harp Festival.”
She began her career after being encouraged by her primary school teacher to take up the clarsach, the small Scottish harp. This humble beginning led to a life-long love of the instrument which, supported by regular lessons, festivals and Feisean along the way, saw her graduate from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama with a BA in Scottish Music (Hons) in 2003. Since then Jennifer has been a finalist in the BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year and in 2004, she composed a piece for the New Voices series at Celtic Connections Festival all whilst working as a full- time musician
