The Tallis Scholars, a British professional early music vocal ensemble, was established in 1973 by Peter Phillips. The group initially formed as an amateur Renaissance vocal music ensemble with members from Oxford and Cambridge chapel choirs, turning professional after ten years of concert-giving. Their first performance took place on November 3, 1973, at the Church of St. Mary Magdalen in Oxford. Since then, they have specialized in performing a cappella sacred vocal music, typically consisting of two singers per part with a core group of ten. The Tallis Scholars released their debut album Allegri: Miserere / Palestrina: Missa Papae Marcelli / Mundy: Vox Patris Caelestis in 1980 and have since recorded over 60 discs through Gimell Records, their own label established by Peter Phillips and Steve Smith. Notable releases include "Byrd: The Great Service" and "Cornysh: Stabat Mater". The ensemble has toured extensively, performing in Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. In 1987, they won a Gramophone Award.
