Described as “pure and radiant” (Gramophone), “immensely impressive” (Early Music Review), and “rich, full-voiced, and perfectly blended” (Early Music America), the Byrd Ensemble is garnering international acclaim for its performances and recordings of chamber vocal music, particularly Renaissance polyphony. The Byrd Ensemble, directed by Markdavin Obenza, is a Seattle-based professional ensemble
made up of 10 to 12 singers from the Pacific Northwest. Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle. The Byrd Ensemble is a nonprofit organization. Since 2004, the ensemble has performed in the greater Seattle area and has toured across the United States presenting concerts for the Gotham Early Music Scene in New York with Peter Phillips (director of the Tallis Scholars) and the Boston Early Music Fringe Series. In 2014, the Byrd Ensemble was one of sixteen groups—the only ensemble from the United States—chosen to sing at the London International A Capella Choir Competition and worked with Peter Phillips, Mark Williams and John Rutter, who described the ensemble as “a fine group that has achieved an enviable standard of tuning, blend and ensemble.”
The Byrd Ensemble became part of the Scribe Records label in 2011 and has since produced 6 records—3 of which feature Renaissance polyphony— and have been reviewed by major early music publications: Early Music America, Gramophone and Early Music Review. Our Lady: Music from the Peterhouse Partbooks (2011) featured reconstructions by musicologist Nick Sandon of music by lesser-known English Renaissance composers—Pasche, Merbecke and Ludford—and included 2 world-premiere recordings. In the Company of William Byrd (2012), Music for the Tudors (2015) featured more mainstream Renaissance composers Tallis, Sheppard, Byrd and White. In 2014, the Byrd Ensemble was included in the international edition of Gramophone Magazine for their recording of works by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MARKDAVIN OBENZA has dedicated his career to music. In addition to the Byrd Ensemble, Markdavin is also Director and founder of Seattle-based chamber choir, Vox16, and Producer for Scribe Records, an independent record label. He is an active freelance singer who performs with the Byrd Ensemble and has performed with members of the Tallis Scholars and Early Music Vancouver. He is the Director of Choral Music at Trinity Parish Church in Seattle, WA.
