My friend George wanted to pass along a new discovery. He had recently attended a concert by the Relic Ensemble and he said, “I think there’s a newsletter post in there for MORE TO COME.” He was right.

Relic is a conductorless period chamber orchestra that connects with audiences through intimate, imaginative and dramatic representations of early music, with the goal of reaching communities in all 50 states. Relic’s innovative programming, which uses narrative “chapters” to unite a variety of repertoire into a breathtaking concert experience, has captured the hearts of new and seasoned concertgoers alike.

The members of Relic are on a mission. Formed in 2022 by alumni of the Juilliard Historical Performance Program, these lovers of early music are skilled musicians dedicated to presenting compelling and captivating live performances to communities across the country, especially those with little access to live early music. They believe in a “democratic and tolerant environment,” which leads them to make early music accessible to people from all backgrounds. They do this through free concerts, open rehearsals, and educational events for students with no prior knowledge of early music, such as the event George attended at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Washington, where they journeyed through the Enchanted Forest. “From elves and nymphs to trolls and witches,” this program brought forward pleasures and curiosities from the English and French Baroque periods with music of Corelli, Purcell, Lully, and others.

An introductory video tells the group’s story.

The ensemble’s videos are limited at the moment, but here’s a beautiful performance of Alessandro Scarlatti’s Concerto No. 5 in D minor – I. Allegro performed in 2022.

Committed to sharing their passion for early music with students of all ages, Relic members have given workshops, masterclasses and side-by-side performances at numerous schools. Most recently, Relic engaged in a residency at the University of Maryland featuring side-by-side performances with music students, and master classes at Western Michigan University. Relic actively seeks community engagement opportunities, offering free children’s concerts, informal performances, and open rehearsals in every region it visits.

The Relic Ensemble is committed to visiting all 50 states to spread their love for early music. Look for them in a community near you!

More to come . . .

DJB