Salt Lake City has a vibrant classical music scene that ranges from the symphony to chamber music to community orchestras and choirs. But there is one glaring omission — there is no early music ensemble.

Unlike many cities across the country, especially Seattle, which brim with early music groups, no one has yet tried to establish such an ensemble in the Beehive State's capital.

But that's something Emily Nelson and Christopher LeCluyse hope to change. "There are no professional early music groups here, and I think it's time we address that," Nelson told the Deseret News.

Nelson and LeCluyse are singers and the co-founders of Utopia Early Music. They'll give their first public concerts this weekend at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral. Joining them will be guest artists Shulamit Kleinerman, vielle (a medieval violin with five strings); Bronwen Beecher, fiddle; and percussionists Peter Maund and Nick Foster.

The program, titled "The Siren and the Nightingale: French Medieval Meets Folk," will focus on court and folk music from France. "There will be sacred pieces and folk music from the countryside," LeCluyse said.

Performing music from the middle ages poses a number of problems for modern musicians. The main problem is deciding on how it should sound, Le Cluyse said. "It's a challenge, since there aren't many details in the music. So the performer becomes the creator, and you have to try and recreate how it might have sounded in the middle ages. But you also have to make it enjoyable," he said. "And because of that it's important to know who you are performing for."

"You need to get through to your audience," Nelson added. "We like to talk about the music, and that puts us in the role of music educators."

Nelson and LeCluyse have been singing medieval and renaissance music for years. They both agree that audiences can find this music difficult to appreciate. "But many people end up liking what they hear," LeCluyse said. "After a concert, I'll have people come up to me and say, 'I didn't think I would enjoy it.'"

That's what they hope will happen at their upcoming concerts. "We like to perform," LeCluyse said, "and we hope that the audience can catch our enthusiasm and get lost in this music and hear how festive it is."

"We want to reach people and give them a new experience," Nelson added.

IF YOU GO …

What: Utopia Early Music

Where: St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, 231 E. 100 South

When: 8 p.m. Nov. 7; 5 p.m. Nov. 8

How much: Free but donations accepted (suggested donations $15 general admission, $12 senior citizens, $10 students)

Web: utopiaearlymusic.org

e-mail: ereichel@desnews.com