Seven Times Salt originally formed to explore the repertoire of the English Consort or Broken Consort, an ensemble consisting of violin, flute, lute, bass viol, cittern, and bandora that was popular in England from approximately 1580 - 1620 (for more information about the instruments we play, click here). While we still perform and love that repertoire, we’ve long since branched out into ensemble music from around Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries, performing chamber music from Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Spain, France, Germany and elsewhere. We also have a strong connection to the folk music traditions of the British Isles, and enjoy incorporating traditional tunes and songs into our performances. 400 years ago the line between “art music” and “folk music” wasn’t as strictly drawn as it often is today, and we’re happy to keep that line blurry in our own performances, combining folk and classical approaches to music-making while hopefully doing justice to both. In addition to playing chamber music, we frequently perform as a dance band for English Country Dancing, and have also incorporated our music into various theatrical productions. While we draw heavily on our background as early music specialists (for more about the ideas behind Historically Informed Performance, click here), we’re not reenactors; we’re happy to be 21st-century musicians making music for a 21st-century audience!