NZ Barok is a classical music ensemble based in New Zealand that specializes in performing music from the Baroque era. The ensemble was founded in 2004 by violinist Graham McPhail and harpsichordist Rachael Griffiths-Hughes, who were both passionate about the music of the Baroque period and wanted to bring it to audiences in New Zealand. The founding members of NZ Barok were Graham McPhail (violin), Rachael Griffiths-Hughes (harpsichord), Miranda Hutton (violin), and Helen Brinkman (cello). The ensemble has since expanded to include a number of other talented musicians, including cellist James Bush, violinist Alison Salmons, and violist Sophia Acheson. NZ Barok has become known for its lively and engaging performances, which often feature a mix of well-known Baroque pieces and lesser-known works that the ensemble has discovered through its research. The ensemble is also known for its commitment to historical performance practice, which involves using period instruments and playing techniques to recreate the sound of Baroque music as it would have been heard in the 17th and 18th centuries. Over the years, NZ Barok has performed at a number of major festivals and venues in New Zealand and around the world. Some of the ensemble's most notable performances include a concert at the prestigious Wigmore Hall in London, a performance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and a tour of Australia in 2018. In addition to its live performances, NZ Barok has also released several recordings, including a CD of music by Antonio Vivaldi and a recording of J.S. Bach's Brandenburg Concertos. The ensemble's recordings have received critical acclaim and have helped to raise the profile of Baroque music in New Zealand and beyond. NZ Barok has also been recognized for its contributions to the music world with a number of awards and honors. In 2010, the ensemble was awarded the Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Award for its work in promoting Baroque music in the Pacific region. In 2016, NZ Barok was named Ensemble of the Year at the New Zealand National Concerto Competition, and in 2019, the ensemble was awarded the Auckland Arts Festival's Best Classical Music Performance award for its performance of Handel's Messiah. Overall, NZ Barok has become a beloved fixture in the New Zealand music scene and a respected ambassador for Baroque music around the world. With its commitment to historical performance practice and its engaging and lively performances, the ensemble has helped to bring the music of the Baroque era to new audiences and to inspire a new generation of musicians to explore this rich and vibrant musical tradition.

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