We always aim to make our concerts fun and accessible to a wide audience who may not necessarily have had much experience of live early music. We will try to use most of our 40 different authentic period instruments and provide a running commentary on the music, historical setting and origin of the instruments used.

Minstrels Gallery offer a number of early music concert packages with the following working titles. If you require a concert tailored to a specific event or occasion talk to us as we can most probably put together just what you need.

"An unusual and stimulating evening" - Alan Boniface - Canterbury Festival

Taking it's inspiration from the contemplative cloisters of a medieval monastery, the beautiful walled fountain gardens of Renaissance Italy and the Royal palace gardens of Tudor England, All In A Garden Green explores the wonderful range of music that expresses man's delight with the natural world.
The concert consists of music and readings contemporary with the medieval and renaissance period. Medieval motets, Lute songs by Campion, Jones and Dowland, and readings from Romance Of The Rose, Spencer and Shakespeare.

It is a little known fact that in medieval times the Tower Of London housed the first ever collection of animals or "zoo" which continued in one form or another right up until the nineteenth century - This is the starting point for our concert entitled "Tails From The Tower".
Medieval man's connection with both mythical and actual birds and animals has given rise to much music and verse. Examples such as the comic El Grillo by Josquin des Prez to the melancolic Silver Swan by Orlando Gibbons and dances like Horses Branle and Playford's Chirping Of The Nightingale all illustrate very different connections between man and nature.

"A vibrant and polished performance of medieval music." - Felicity Devonshire
St Lawrence's Centre, South Walsham

This concert takes its inspiration from the illustration of Henry VIII playing upon the harp, from the King's Psalter in the British Museum.
Henry became King in what was still a medieval England and by the time his daughter Elizabeth died we had seen the whole of the Renaissance. This massive change in society is reflected in the music chosen for this concert. From the rhythmic vivacity of medieval motets to the melodic beauty of the Elizabethan lute songs Minstrels Gallery explore the musical world that exemplifies the Tudor love of music.

Waits and Measures explores the intimate relationship between music and dance during the Tudor age. Working alongside a number of Early Dance Groups, Minstrels Gallery provide an evening of music and dance along with contemporary writings and accounts. Drawing from such documents as Orchésographie by Arbeau we learn much of the social and sensual importance of dance. At a time when skill at dancing was an essential mark of a Gentleman the grace and elegance of these early dances are brought to life in sight and sound.