THE BYRD ENSEMBLE, described as “Seattle’s own masters of ancient polyphony” (Seattle Times), is a vocal ensemble specializing in the performance of chamber vocal music, particularly Renaissance polyphony. The ensemble of eight to twelve singers have performed programs of medieval, renaissance, baroque and modern music in the greater Seattle area since 2003 (formerly under the name, “The Renaissance Singers”) and have appeared across the United States on a recent tour to New York, Boston and Maryland with guest conductor Peter Phillips (director of the Tallis Scholars). The Byrd Ensemble are Artists-in-Residence at Seattle’s first Episcopal parish, Trinity Parish Church (established 1865), where the group performs regularly throughout the year. The group’s creative efforts are led by Markdavin Obenza.
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ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MARKDAVIN OBENZA is a Seattle native and has been active in the local music scene since he was a boy Soprano in the Northwest Boychoir in the early 1990s. His love and dedication to early music and chamber vocal music emerged while singing as a countertenor for the Compline Choir at St. Mark’s Cathedral and the Tudor Choir in 2000. He performs regularly as a countertenor with the Tudor Choir (US), and has performed with members of the Tallis Scholars (UK) under the direction of Peter Phillips, the Seattle Academy of Baroque Opera (US) under the direction of Steven Stubbs, and the Kronos Quartet. He is one of the founders of the Byrd Ensemble (formerly known as the Renaissance Singers) and is the choirmaster at St. Clement of Rome Episcopal Church in Seattle.