Ensemble Q was formed as Quintessence in 1995 is one of the most exciting and innovative wind quintets in Britain. Their continually growing commissioning ventures place them as one of the foremost contributors to new British Music. Over the past few years they have commissioned works from some of the leading British composers. Among them, Tansy Davies, Philip Cashian, Mike Westbrook, and Joe Duddell.

Ensemble Q was formed as Quintessence in 1995, for the first wind chamber music course at the Britten-Pears of Advanced Musical Studies. In 1996 they returned to Aldeburgh giving a recital at the Aldeburgh Festival. Since then Quintessence has played at a wide range of music clubs and festivals, and been broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Following the Harrogate International Music Festival, The Times music critic wrote of their "intelligently varied programming…most sensitively and effectively executed".

Quintessence is committed to leading inspirational workshops in schools, universities, music colleges and the wider community. They enjoy working with young composers exploring new possibilities for the wind quintet. Future projects include a tour to Taiwan to promote new British Music, a new commission from the Manchester based composer Ian Vine, and the release of their second CD of contemporary music, which will include many of the works commissioned since 2000. Quintessence is grateful for recent support from the British Council, the Performing Rights Society and the Ralph Vaughan Williams Trust.