Ensemble 360

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Ensemble 360 was formed in 2005 to take up residency in South Yorkshire with Music in the Round. Based in Sheffield, the Ensemble brings together musicians from across the globe to form one versatile ensemble of eleven musicians; five wind players, a pianist, double bassist and the Elias String Quartet.

Ensemble 360 believes in their concerts being informal, friendly and relaxed occasions and, although they perform in many traditional chamber music venues, they perform ‘in the round’ wherever possible (hence the name).

The enthusiasm, drive and musicality of each of the performers has proved a success with audiences across the UK as they find themselves drawn into the performances both through the communicative and engrossing nature of their playing and through the personalities of the musicians themselves.

Ensemble 360 is devoted to taking music into the community. They regularly host workshops in local schools, Young Performers’ Platforms and are involved in a GCSE composition programme, PowerPlus. The Ensemble is currently resident ensemble at the Universities of York and Sheffield running recital classes, masterclasses and performance workshops. In 2006 they started touring children’s concerts to sell-out audiences across the UK. During 2008/9 they have commissioned music from Paul Rissman to bring the book Giddy Goat by Jamie Rix to life on stage.

As the largest professional ensemble to be based in South Yorkshire, Ensemble 360 has also established their own concert series in Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham. The Ensemble plug an important gap in chamber music provision in South Yorkshire and are strong advocates for the region. They also bring other international artists to the region to perform in their annual 8-day May Festival, Autumn Series and Spring Series in Sheffield.

Outside South Yorkshire, they perform at intimate and unusual venues across the UK with the national touring programme Around the Country, appear regularly on BBC Radio 3 and have a strong relationship with the Wigmore Hall. They also enjoy a close relationship with renowned harpsichordist Trevor Pinnock with whom they work regularly. They have also performed at the Leamington, Rotherham and Bradfield Festivals. Ensemble 360 enjoys the opportunity to collaborate with partners on a variety of projects. Recent collaborations have included working with actor and director Samuel West on readings of Harold Pinter’s poetry and a performance of The Soldier’s Tale and a musical commentary on artwork on display at the Sheffield Millennium Galleries Vivien Westwood exhibition.

On top of the above, they even host their own very popular concert series in local Sheffield pubs where they are paid in Moonshine, Abbeydale Brewery’s finest beer!

Visit www.musicintheround.co.uk for more information on the ensemble and a list of their forthcoming events.