The Locrian Early Music Consort


The Ensemble

Since 1972 The Locrian Early Music Consort has kept the sounds of the renaissance alive throughout Eastern Virginia. Performing in costume on replica's of long forgotten instruments these musicians bring to life the music of one of the most important times in music history. Unlike a modern orchestra with dozens of players each performing on one instrument, all of the members of this chamber consort are fluent on numerous instruments.  

The Players

Our musicians bring well over a century of combined musical experience to the group. In addition to their historic musical activities they also can be heard performing on modern instruments with a variety of local orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout the region. Two are also experienced instrument builders with a background in strings.

The Music

The consort has a vast library of music that spans many centuries. Beginning with the sonorous chants of the medieval era, they work their way through secular and sacred music of the renaissance and early baroque eras.


Some of their favorite composers include:

William Byrd
Orlando De Lasso
Heinrich Issac
Tielman Susato
Francesco Landini
15th Century Sheet Music
Josquin Des Pres
Thomas Morley
Michael Praetorius
Thomas Ravenscroft
and, of course,
Annonymous!

The Instruments

This instrumental ensemble employs a vast array of period instruments, many of which are rarely seen or heard in modern times.
  • Recorders from Great Bass to Gar Klein
  • Shawms
  • Racketts
  • Sacbut
  • Viols
  • Rauchefife
  • Pipe & Tabor
  • Medieval Bagpipe
  • 15th Century Cup Bells
  • miscellaneous percussion

  • Early Instruments
    The reproduction instruments they play are carefully crafted to emulate the originals that are still in existence in museums around the world. Some were made by european craftsmen including Britain's oldest manufacturing company the White Chapel Bell Foundry. Others come from American instrument builders. Many of the period stringed instruments were crafted by the group's resident luthiers.

    The Performances

    The Locrian Consort as a sextet
    The consort is available for a variety of performance types. Their educational demonstration lectures are available for students of all ages. They provide a look at the variety of sounds available to the composers of the renaissance as well as musical forms popular in those days. Educational concerts can be tailored to supplement your programs, whether it be a particular period of history or a specific region of the world.  In 1986 Young Audiences of Virginia awarded the Locrian Early Music Consort their Performer of the Year Award

    Their concerts provide a diverse and often humorous portrayal of this wonderful music of the renaissance. This season they are presenting "Where's Gesualdo?", a study into the music of the eccentric Don Carlo Gesualdo and those who influenced his style. The Locrian Consort is often called upon to provide instrumental support for performances of historic music by the area's vocal ensembles and church choirs as well.

    Ambiance music and strolling performances are popular for receptions and special events where their music and costumes can add to the historic theming of the event. They can also provide processionals and fanfares as needed to herald special presentations or guests at your function.

    The ensemble typically performs as a quartet or quintet, but can be augmented by additional musicians for larger performances.


    Here are just a few of the places you may have heard the Locrian Consort in performance:

    The Folger Shakespeare Library
    Maj. Hillard Library - Chesapeake, VA
    The Chrysler Museum
    The Mariners Museum
    Norfolk Festevent's Renaissance Faire
    The Virginia Symphony
    The DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Gallery
    The Virginia Chorale
    Young Audiences of Virginia
    The Muscarelle Museum of Art
    Historic Grace Episcopal Church
    Historic St. Lukes Church of Smithfield
    WHRO Television
    Suzuki Teachers of Hampton Roads
    Old Dominion University
    Elderhostel
    The Legislature of the Commonwealth of Virginia
    The Western Branch High School Madrigal Dinners

    The Locrians with the historic organ at St. Lukes in Smithfield

     Click Here to go to the Locrian Consort On-Line Booking Inquiry Screen



    e-mail  stowe@exis.net

    MurSto Productions is proud to represent some of
    the finest early music groups in Virginia.
    Call or or e-mail us today at (757) 357-0508 for more information and booking

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    © 2002 MurSto Productions -  updated 3/16/07 by stowe@exis.net

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