The group evolved from composer/performer ensembles of the 1970's, working with people who were essentially friends. They played each other's music, wrote for each other as performers and accepted the frequent oddity of the ensuing instrumentation. The ethos was one of mutual respect, musical trust and an ability to grapple with forms of musical shorthand.

When the ensemble was founded it worked on the principle that pervaded this early work. The formation has settled as two singers (soprano and tenor) two violas, cello, bass, guitar, bass clarinet, keyboard, and occasional percussion.

Education opportunities invariably lead on from the performances and on a number of occasions abroad the Ensemble has collaborated with local players to augment the ensemble. For example in Melbourne, an Australian string quartet, soprano voice, bass clarinet and guitar were added and in Prague two violinists and two percussionists joined to play additional repertoire. In the ensembles tour of the Baltic States in 2003, players from each country (2 violins, 2 percussionists) joined the ensemble. Gavin Bryars also conducts masterclasses with conservatoire and university students alongside concerts.