The original Practitioners of Musick: Mr. Burkhalter, English flutes, and Professor Roan, organ and harpsichord.

The Practitioners of Musick ensemble, founded by John Burkhalter and the late Professor Eugene Roan (1931 - 2006) to survey the musical riches of 18th century Great Britain - Ireland & both the Colonial and early Federal periods in America. Recent research, has also focused attention on musical life in New-France before the Fall of Quebec in 1759.

 The group has presented period entertainments of music at many of the 18th century sites that are administered by the New Jersey Division of Parks & Forestry and the National Park Service, as well as Old New Castle, Delaware, Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Deerfield, Massachusetts, and a great number of other historical sites.

These concerts, and many others, have had their origins in the astonishing library of early published music (q.v.) that the two musicians collected over the years. Because many of these works are unpublished either in facsimile or modern edition, and some exist only in a unique document, the Practitioners have presented many works for the first time since the eighteenth century. As of April 2008, ‘cellist David Black, recorder player Sheila Fernekes, and harpsichordists Gavin Black, Janet Palumbo, Donovan Klotzbeacher, Michael Diorio, and Lewis Reece Baratz have graciously agreed to join John Burkhalter in various Practitioners of Musick activities. The ensemble is an organizational member of Early Music America and the Guild for Early Music.