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Terra Nova Consort is a classical music ensemble that specializes in performing music from the medieval and Renaissance periods. The group was founded in 1986 by musicians who shared a passion for early music and a desire to bring it to a wider audience. The founding members of Terra Nova Consort were Susan Rode Morris (soprano), David Morris (lute and guitar), and Carol Lewis (viola da gamba). They were later joined by other musicians, including Mark Rimple (lute and guitar), Dan Meyers (recorders and percussion), and Ronn McFarlane (lute). The ensemble takes its name from the Latin phrase "terra nova," which means "new land." This reflects the group's mission to explore and discover the rich musical traditions of the past and bring them to life in the present. Terra Nova Consort has performed at numerous venues and festivals throughout the United States and Europe, including the Boston Early Music Festival, the Berkeley Early Music Festival, and the Tage Alter Musik festival in Regensburg, Germany. The group has also been featured on radio programs such as NPR's Performance Today and WGBH's Early Music America. One of the highlights of Terra Nova Consort's career was their performance at the 1992 Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C. The festival celebrated the 500th anniversary of Columbus's voyage to the Americas, and Terra Nova Consort was invited to perform music from the Spanish and Portuguese courts of the 15th and 16th centuries. The group's performance was well-received and helped to raise their profile in the early music community. Terra Nova Consort has also released several recordings, including "The Food of Love: Songs, Dances, and Fancies for Shakespeare" and "The Spirit of Gambo: Music for Viols and Voices." The latter album features music from the Dutch Golden Age, including works by Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck and Jacob van Eyck. In addition to their performances and recordings, Terra Nova Consort has also received several awards and honors. In 1990, the group was awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support their performances and educational programs. They were also awarded a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council in 1992. Terra Nova Consort has been praised for their virtuosic performances and their ability to bring the music of the past to life in a way that is engaging and accessible to modern audiences. Their dedication to exploring and rediscovering the musical traditions of the past has made them a beloved and respected ensemble in the early music community.

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