Instruments of Time and Truth, described on BBC Record Review as 'an absolutely superb band of instrumental soloists', was founded in 2014 by musicians Gabriel Amherst and Judith Evans to provide a platform for international performers resident in and around Oxford, many of whom hold Principal positions with groups such as the Academy of Ancient Music, the English Baroque Soloists and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

Since its inception, IT&T has performed for Garsington Opera at Wormsley, in the Sheldonian Theatre, the Holywell Music Room, SJE Arts and Dorchester Abbey. Having made its London debut in King’s Place in November 2017, this Autumn saw IT&T returning to that venue in one of three performances of Handel’s little-known oratorio, ‘The Triumph of Time and Truth’, whilst the third performance closed this year’s Tetbury Festival.

The ensemble has assumed a significant role in underpinning the tradition of choral excellence in Oxford, collaborating with the choirs of Merton, New, Keble, Magdalen, The Queen’s, Somerville and St Peter’s Colleges, as well as with choirs from within the community: the Oxford Bach Choir, Oxford Pro Musica Singers and the Summertown Choral Society.

Resident orchestra at St Edmund Hall, IT&T has worked alongside the University Music Faculty, coaching the student baroque ensemble, giving masterclasses and participating in conferences on historically informed performance as well as establishing an education programme which opens the doors of the University to local schoolchildren.

In 2019, with grants from the PF Charitable Trust, Bishopsdown Trust and the University Community Fund, IT&T InSpires will consolidate on Mark Levy’s excellent work with Oxfordshire’s baroque youth orchestra, ‘Oxybaroxy’, with an extensive programme of courses, coaching and individual tuition to lay the foundations for the next generation of period musicians.