The CALLITHUMPIAN CONSORT is dedicated to the proposition that music is an experience. Founded by pianist and conductor Stephen Drury sometime in the1990's, we are an ensemble producing concerts of contemporary music at the highest standard.

The Callithumpian Consort was created in the belief that new music should be an exciting adventure shared by performers and listeners alike, and that brand new masterpieces of our day are beautiful, sensuous, challenging, delightful, provocative, and a unique joy. Our audiences bring fresh ears to sounds never heard before; they bring their experiences from rock stadiums, jazz clubs, and internet electronica to the concert hall. They hunger for the new.

The Consort is flexible in size and makeup, in some cases performing as a full chamber orchestra. Its members pursue parallel solo and orchestral careers as well. Each musician is a soloist, enabling the group to tackle unusual repertoire in non-standard ensembles, or to take part in experimental projects.

Our repertoire encompasses a huge stylistic spectrum, from the classics of the last 100 years to works of the avant-garde and experimental jazz and rock. Active commissioning and recording of new works is crucial to our mission. We have worked with composers John Cage, Lee Hyla, John Zorn, Michael Finnissy, Franco Donatoni, Lukas Foss, Christian Wolff and many others. Recordings are available on Tzadik and Mode records.