Founded in 1984 by David Cameron and under Artistic Director Holly Gwynne-Timothy’s leadership since 2013, Melos Music Society Inc. (also known as Melos Choir and Period Instruments) is a Kingston-based community choir that employs local musicians and offers community-based workshops and other educational outreach to aspiring singers and players. Melos’ mission is twofold: to perform music from the 12th to the 18th centuries using historically informed period practices, and to develop skilled voices and instrumentalists by providing educational development resources in the Kingston area. Our programming traces developments in western music and culture through these centuries, parallel developments in other non-western cultures, and historical cross-influences between cultures.

Melos’ vision is to bring a rich cultural and heritage expression through high quality Early Music performance to Kingston through collaboration with local musicians and cultural communities. A series of recent collaborations focusing on East-West cross-cultural influences invited accomplished players from Kingston’s newcomers’ community to perform with Melos. Past collaborative training and performance with the Kingston’s H’art Centre have brought Melos together with adults with disabilities.