Vocal and instrumental ensemble founded in 1979. The Sixteen perform early English polyphony, masterpieces of the Renaissance and a diversity of 20th century music.

The choir is occasionally accompanied by period instrument ensemble.
From 1992, instrumentalists working with The Sixteen were sometimes credited as Orchestra Of The Sixteen. Around 1997, the name was changed to The Symphony Of Harmony And Invention. Since about the end of 2008, non-choral performers have not been credited as an entity independent from The Sixteen. Accompanists associated with The Sixteen are currently (2020) listed on The Sixteen's website separately from the vocalists but do not have a collective name.

The Sixteen's conductor and founder, Harry Christophers, has directed the group throughout Europe, America and the Far East, gaining a distinguished reputation through a variety of projects and over seventy recordings.