Chelys Consort of Viols

The Chelys Consort of Viols represents a new generation of viol consort music-making, with such novel aspects as crowd-sourced album funding and the commissioning of contemporary music for viols. It uses pure gut strings, historically accurate and producing a sound distinct from those of other active ensembles. Christopher Simpson's Airs for two trebles and two basses was recorded by the Consort on its 2015 debut, Ayres & Graces. It has commissioned new music from composer Jill Jarman and has performed contemporary choral music by Michael East with the Fieri Consort. In 2021, the Chelys Consort of Viols joined the Fieri Consort on the album Amavi, then released Purcell: Fantazias on its own. The consort returned with The Honour of William Byrd in 2023, and collaborated with guitarist/lutenist James Akers on the 2026 album Les âges du monde: French viol consort music through the ages.