Our History

The Columbia Baroque Soloists performed their premiere concert in October 2007 with a festival of music by J. S. Bach presented the following March.

It was decided to perform exclusively on period instruments and to limit the ensemble to a small core membership thereby assuring artistic excellence. The Columbia Baroque Soloists became the only early music ensemble in South Carolina performing 17th and 18th century music with period instruments using historical temperament and pitch.

The June 2008 concert brought together the four principal artists: Jerry Curry, Harpsichord; Jean Hein, Baroque Recorder; Brittnee Siemon, Mezzo Soprano; Timothy Hein, Artistic Director/Baroque Recorder; in addition to Gail Ann Schroeder, Viola da Gamba, who has become the Principal Guest Artist.

During the 2008-2009 concert season, the Columbia Baroque Soloists performed three concerts at Shandon United Methodist Church, where the ensemble is in residence. Five additional concerts were performed in diverse locations around South Carolina. The 2009-2010 season featured three concerts at Shandon United Methodist Church. The ensemble performed four additional concerts, presented two classes on Baroque performance practices, the Summer Recorder Institute, and one school event.