What we do

Founded in 2003 by Oliver Webber and Wendi Kelly,  MSB was created to explore the unique style, rich sonority and wonderful repertoire of the 17th century string band. 
We have enjoyed many fruitful collaborations, particularly with  the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble and Passacaglia. MSB's members have also worked with prestigious specialist ensembles internationally, and each brings a vast range of  complementary knowledge and experience to the ensemble. 
Our core repertoire includes the masters in the Venetian tradition, Gabrieli, Monteverdi and Cavalli, and the great string band traditions of France, England and Germany. The band ranges in size from 2 or 3 players for intimate chamber music to a dozen or more for grand polychoral celebrations; we can also provide a high-baroque orchestra for later works such as Bach's Passions and Handel's Oratorios.

MSB about to perform Monteverdi's Vespers in Bath, March 2012. From left to right, Theresa Caudle, Joseph Crouch, Wendi Kelly, David Brooker, Peter McCarthy, Oliver Webber.