The ensemble was founded in 1982 jointly by harpsichordist Ian Graham-Jones and baroque violinist Paul Denley, and its first performance was an ambitious project jointly with Opera 70 to perform Handel’s opera Alessandro. It was subsequently led by Julia Bishop, violinist in the ensemble 'Red Priest', and since 2001 by Judy Tarling. Since its inception it has give over 130 concerts, mainly in the southern counties, and soloists, all of whom are baroque specialists, who have performed with us include:

sopranos - Emma Kirkby, Evelyn Tubb, Alison Pickard, Philippa Hyde
altos - Margaret Philpot, Paul Esswood
tenors - Andrew King, Joseph Cornwell, Robin Tritschler
basses - Ian Caddy, Adrian Peacock
harpsichord - Sophie Yates, David Pollock, Ruth Dyson
lute - Michael Fields; mandolin - Alison Stephens
violin - Julia Bishop, Paul Denley, Catherine Martin
cello - Lynden Cranham
flute and recorder - Jeremy Barlow, Sophie Middleditch, Helen Hooker
oboe - Gerard McDonald, Anthony Robson
clarinet and chalumeau - Martin Harlow
bassoon - Paul Carroll, Sally Holman                                              trumpet - Steven Keogh

The Consort of Twelve Baroque Singers is a choir of about 30 voices which performs with the consort, and until 2008 has traditionally done a summer concert in Chichester Festivities. Works by lesser known baroque masters we have performed include: J.H. Roman Swedish Mass, Francisco Valls Missa Scala Aretina, Telemann St Matthew Passion, Jean Gilles Requiem, as well as more well-known works such as Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, The Fairy Queen, King Arthur, Handel Acis and Galatea, Messiah and Jephtha, Bach's B Minor Mass, and Mozart's Requiem, these conducted by Paul Esswood.

The Chichester Concert is the pre-classical “arm” of The Consort of Twelve, with increased numbers for the performance specifically of the later repertoire, on period instruments. Its performances have included the recording of the John Marsh symphonies in 1989 and the Marsh anniversary celebrations in 2002.

The Consort also plays with choral societies for baroque works, and has performed with East Cornwall Bach Choir, Exmouth Choral Society, St. Richard Singers, Portsmouth Baroque Choir, and the Orpheus Singers in the Isle of Wight.

A HISTORY OF THE CONSORT OF TWELVE is now available, and will be on sale at our concerts, price £7.50. Copies also available (post free) from the address on the 'Home' page of this website.