Who are we
Leeds Baroque is a period instrument performance group directed by Peter Holman based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
Leeds Baroque, the city’s only period instrument choir and orchestra, specialises in performances of music of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Founded in 2000, and made up of professional, student and talented amateur performers, Leeds Baroque is directed by Prof. Peter Holman MBE, an international authority on the performance of Baroque music.
Over the course of twenty-four years we have earned an enviable reputation for performances covering works from Monteverdi to Mozart as well as bold explorations of unfamiliar Baroque music. Most of the performers are unpaid, playing in the belief that this specialist but accessible repertoire should be available to all, and more widely appreciated.
In addition to the core membership Leeds Baroque welcomes a range of professional singers and instrumentalists for special projects.
A successful crowd funding project enabled the purchase of a pair of Baroque timpani. These hand-built instruments made their debut in October 2019.
Leeds Baroque is financed solely from its ticket income, modest grant funding and its small, but very supportive ‘Friends’ organisation.
We hope you will help us continue to keep Baroque music ‘live’ in the region by attending our performances, joining our Friends or sponsoring a performance.
You can keep in touch via social media and regular e-newsletters [you can subscribe on the main page].
Leeds Baroque announce a new Honorary Patron
Crispian Steele-Perkin
We are delighted and honoured to announce that Crispian Steele-Perkins has agreed to become one of our 25th Anniversary Honorary Patrons. Crispian has been a generous supporter of our work since the foundation of Leeds Baroque Orchestra in 2000, joining us to play in our first season and many occasions thereafter. He is acknowledged throughout the world as one of the finest exponents of the trumpet and the natural trumpet in particular.
In 2023 he was awarded the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the National Centre for Early Music for his service to period instrument performance.
Crispian says of his appointment: My friend and colleague Peter Holman invited me to participate in Leeds Baroque Orchestra’s inaugural season and diaries from subsequent seasons record many return visits including the 10th anniversary and 20th just before Covid devastated all forms of ‘live’ entertainment.
I withdrew from the 2022 Leeds Baroque Bach concert due to a motorcycle accident but major surgery has restored mobility and reinvigorated me to champion the cause of local choirs and Music Societies who form the backbone of British music making. Predominant among them with greatly treasured memories, Leeds Baroque Orchestra and their choir will hopefully flourish and prosper.