Vocal Ensemble

Vocal ensemble originated in Europe during the Renaissance, when a bunch of chaps thought singing in harmony was a smashing way to impress the ladies and maybe even get a free meal. It’s characterised by an intricate blending of multiple singers, often without instruments, which can sound either heavenly or like a very polite catfight, depending on your musical tastes. Historically, these groups have been the choir nerds of the music world but have since evolved, influencing everything from contemporary a cappella to barbershop quartets, proving that harmonising in a pub just might actually work out.