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SECRET SACRED GATHERING

Our Signature Programme

Secret Sacred Gathering is inspired by the clandestine Catholic worship practices of Elizabethan England during Byrd’s lifetime.

At a time when the public celebration of the Roman Catholic Mass was prohibited, many Catholics gathered discreetly in private homes to worship. Byrd’s Masses and sacred motets were written for these intimate communities of faith, often under challenging circumstances.

Paying homage to this history, Secret Sacred Gathering presents Renaissance sacred music in an intimate and reflective setting. Through music, context, and shared listening, audiences are invited to encounter the spiritual, historical, and artistic richness of this extraordinary repertoire.

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ARTISTIC FOCUS

Byrd Brigade’s repertoire includes:

• Byrd’s Masses for Three, Four, and Five Voices
• Cantiones Sacrae
• Gradualia
• English sacred works and devotional motets
• Music by Byrd’s contemporaries and successors

The ensemble is particularly interested in historically informed performance, sacred listening experiences, and the relationship between music, space, and contemplation.

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The Gatherings thus far…

Secret Sacred Gathering I

25 January 2026 | Holy Rosary Church, Kuala Lumpur

Introduction to William Byrd’s sacred world featuring his Mass for Five voices and other selected motets along with historical commentary.

Secret Sacred Gathering II

14 February 2026 | CORE Contemporary Gathering (Video Session)

A video-based exploration of Byrd’s music, spirituality, and historical context along side Light Sculpture by Kai Yee, featuring segments from his Mass for Three Voices & Mass for Four Voices.

Secret Sacred Gathering III

7 June 2026 | St John’s Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur

An immersive sacred music appreciation session featuring Byrd’s Mass for Four Voices and selected motets.

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Hosting a Secret Sacred Gathering

Byrd Brigade welcomes invitations to present Secret Sacred Gathering in churches, educational institutions, and community spaces.

Currently offered on a freewill donation basis, the programme seeks to make the beauty and heritage of Renaissance sacred music accessible to wider audiences through shared listening, learning, and reflection.