Early Music Fridays - Byrd Ensemble

As part of the Early Music Guild’s Early Music Fridays series, the Byrd Ensemble (formerly known as the Renaissance Singers) will perform, “Josquin and the Franco-Flemish Style.” The Franco-Flemish style of polyphonic vocal music composition developed in Europe during the 15 and 16th century. The Franco-Flemish style developed out of the Franco-Flemish School, which was made of five generations of Renaissance composers who were some of the most influential composers of the Renaissance. This program will trace the development of the Franco-Flemish style and will feature composers Josquin dez Prez (c.1450-1521), Heinrich Isaac (c.1450-1517), Adrian Willaert (c.1490-1562) and more.

The Byrd Ensemble, described as “Seattle’s own masters of ancient polyhony” (Seattle Times), is a vocal ensemble specializing in the performance of Renaissance vocal music. The ensemble of eight to ten singers have been performing programs of medieval, renaissance, baroque and modern music in the greater Seattle area since 2003. The Byrd Ensemble has been presented by the Early Music Guild’s Musician of the Guild and First Tuesdays series, Tudor Choir, Music Northwest and Seattle University. The Byrd Ensemble Singers are Artists-in-Residence at Seattle’s first Episcopal parish, Trinity Parish Church (established 1865), where the group performs regularly throughout the year. The group’s creative efforts are led by Markdavin Obenza.