About the Magpies...
The Magpie Consort is a mixed ensemble of sixteen voices. Most of our music is sung a cappella, but we also perform occasionally with instrumentalists. Our repertoire is extremely diverse, and quite unique in Columbus. It includes medieval motets and plainsong, renaissance madrigals and sacred polyphony, 18th century psalmody, 20th century compositions from many parts of the world, folk song and world music settings, and original writing for the group by its director Sheena Phillips.
The Magpies have appeared at The Columbus Arts Festival, The Columbus Main Library, The Museum of Art, Franklin Park Conservatory, at the annual Classical Affair at Tuttle Mall, and in numerous downtown and suburban churches in Columbus and Lancaster. Performances have included a fully staged Christmas music drama written by Sheena, based on medieval mystery plays, and concerts of music and poetry on the themes ‘Visions of Heaven’, ‘Water Music’, ‘Sounds of the East’, 'Northern Lights’, ‘Rhythms of Life’, ‘Voices of Day and Night’, and ‘Earth, river, sky’ .
The Magpies have been broadcast several times on Music in Mid Ohio (WOSU 89.7FM), and have issued two full-length CD recordings.