St Andrew's Baroque Ensemble

St. Andrew's Baroque ensemble is completely portable, bringing all of their own instruments (including the harpsichord). So, there's no need to have a keyboard instrument at the venue. They also bring their own stands, music, and battery powered orchestra stand lights (in case of low lighting at an event.) So, there's no need for access to electrical outlets. They can play indoors, or outdoors (with special conditions). While chairs can usually be found at most venues, they can bring their own chairs, if necessary. They will come well rehearsed with a set list that is agreed upon ahead of time. For background music, they will select pieces that are beautiful to listen to, but will not impede conversation. For more exposed performances and private concerts, they can bring out musical fireworks, if requested, with concerti and sonatas that feature stunning virtuosity, and edge of your seat excitement in their daring ornamentation. They are each virtuoso performers in their own right. They can perform in modern concert dress, or in historical costume, if desired.

St. Andrew's Baroque Ensemble is a quartet of professional, classically trained musicians performing music from the Baroque period at historical pitch (A4=415 Hz). All four members met while performing with Kingston's larger early music ensemble, The Melos Choir and Period Instruments. They had so much fun working together there that they decided to branch out and form their own little ensemble. They perform for all types of occasions, including: Classical wedding ceremony music, wedding reception music, celebrations, concerts, background music, or they can provide a beautiful musical tribute to a lost loved one at a memorial service or celebration of life. They are currently based at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Kingston, Ontario, but do perform all over South Eastern Ontario. The present line-up includes Lisa Szeker-Madden playing a handcrafted European boxwood recorder copied from an instrument originally made by Jacob Denner. The recorder was Europe's original flute (the "flute" before the flute!), and was highly prized by professional musicians, aristocrats and kings. Heather Schreiner adds another recorder to the group, as well as Baroque oboe. Her recorder was made by internationally renowned Canadian recorder maker, Jean-Luc Boudreau, and her oboe was made by Heinz Roessler, modeled after Klenig (Paris), 1725-50. Jason Hawke is one half of the ensemble's basso continuo, playing viola da gamba and Baroque bassoon. Keyboardist, John Hall of Napanee, Ontario, completes the basso continuo for St. Andrew's Baroque Ensemble, and performs with a "Kleine" harpsichord from the collection of the Canadian Piano Museum, of which he is curator.
The sounds produced by this delightful combination of recorder, Baroque oboe, viola da gamba and harpsichord are truly enchanting, yet unfamiliar to most 21st century ears. But, they remain timelessly beautiful and were highly prized during the Baroque period. St. Andrew's Baroque Ensemble thrills audiences with historically informed performances of music by well known Baroque composers such as J.S. Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, George Frederic Handel, and Archangelo Corelli, as well as gems from other masters of that period like G.P. Telemann, members of the Loeillet family, Jean Baptiste Lully, and Bendetto Marcello, to name a few. These composers worked at some of the most prestigious courts of Europe in their day, and composed music for all of the special occasions and grand events at the request of their elite patrons: such requests did indeed include wedding ceremony music, background music, music for important Feast Days like Christmas and Easter, or funeral music. Handel, for instance, composed his "Water Music" Suites (HWV 348-350) to serve as background music for a grand water party hosted by his patron, King George I. Now, you can have the same music that was once reserved for the private enjoyment of the aristocracy, performed on the intended instruments using a historically informed approach to grace your special occasion. The recorder, Baroque oboe, viola da gamba, harpsichord and the music written for this special chamber music combination continue to be as well suited to all types of events today as when they were first presented. You can add the magic and enchantment of history to your event by having St. Andrew's Baroque Ensemble serve as your own court musicians!

St Andrew's Baroque ensemble requires a modest performing space of 3 x 3 meters, to accommodate 3 instrumental performers and the harpsichord. They also require 4 armless, straight backed chairs. There are no requirements for lighting, staging, and sound: they are entirely acoustic.

Outdoor Performance Requirements: St Andrew's Baroque Ensemble require a solid, stable platform on which to play. They should never be exposed to the bare ground. They also require protection from the elements including sun, wind, rain. Any of these conditions will cause their instruments to warp, crack, and wind will impede the production of sound. (so, they require a tent/shelter)