Margaret MacArthur
Margaret MacArthur arrived in Vermont in the late 1940s. Following in the footsteps of Helen Hartness Flanders, she became a collector of old songs. Margaret’s devotion to the lyrical ballad led to her role as a seminal figure in Vermont’s traditional music scene. In addition to numerous recordings, she was active as a teacher and performer at family gatherings, coffee houses, community events and festivals both small and large.
Margaret passed away at home on Tuesday, May 23, 2006. We miss her profoundly.
Her official obituary is available online :: link
Margaret MacArthur is featured in Visit’n 8, “Vermont’s Songcatcher: A Lifetime of Singing and Saving Near-Forgotten Tunes,” published by the Vermont Folklife Center.
Hear Margaret MacArthur describe her family’s life-long involvement with music.
“Temperance Brigade.” Margaret MacArthur, dulcimer; Gary MacArthur, guitar; Megan MacArthur, Bass. Recorded on 08/24/2002 in Wilmington, Vermont by Andy Kolovos.
“Fields in August.” Margaret MacArthur, dulcimer;Gary MacArthur, guitar; Megan MacArthur, Bass. Recorded on 08/24/2002 in Wilmington, Vermont by Andy Kolovos.
For more information on Margaret MacArthur, including audio interviews, transcripts and contact information, please call the Vermont Folklife Center.
To purchase The Vermont Heritage Song Book by Margaret MacArthur and Gregory L. Sharrow and the Vermont Heritage Songs cassette or CD, please visit the Vermont Folklife Center’s online Heritage Shop :: link
Visit Margaret MacArthur’s homepage on the World Wide Web for further information on recordings, publications and performances :: link
