ALAMIRE takes its name from the solemnization symbols found in the 'hand' of Guido d'Arezzo, an 11th-century teacher and theorist; the term was also used as a pseudonym by the early 16th-century scribe and music editor, Petrus Alamire (aka Peter van den Hove, c.1470 - 1536). The consort was founded in 2005 by David Skinner as an extension to his research and performance activities, and in order to explore and promote the compositional processes behind the great masterworks, and lesser-known works, of the late medieval and early modern periods. Their first recording 'Music from the Court of Henry VIII' was released in December 2005, and they have recently recorded the madrigals of Philippe Verdelot from the Newberry-Oscott partbooks, which in 1526 were a gift from the city of Florence to Henry VIII. It is the combination of academic excellence and supreme quality of voices that makes Alamire an ideal ensemble not only for concerts and recordings, but for various media-based projects including gallery installations and soundtracks for historical documentaries and films. Recent projects include a television documentary on the Office of St David, and an exploration of the music of Josquin Desprez within the medium of modern 'sound art'. Plans are afoot to exploit the multi-media experience of late medieval and early renaissance music in a three-part television documentary, currently under development.

The group is associated with Classical Communications, where they record exclusively for the early music label Obsidian, and is formed as a partnership between David Skinner, Steven Harrold, and Robert Macdonald. Our singers are among the top consort performers in the UK, and include Julia Doyle, Clare Wilkinson, Christopher Watson, William Unwin, Mark Dobell, and Timothy Scott Whiteley. We also maintain close ties with many of Britain's leading instrumental ensembles and players, including Fretwork and Andrew Lawrence-King, and are able to offer a variety of programmes for voices and instruments.