In August 1983, Dr. John Metz, a Professor of Music at Arizona State University, and other members of Musica Dolce (a professional Early Music group) started an organization that eventually became the Phoenix Early Music Society. Their goal was to bring people of like interest together, so that Early Music could flourish in the Valley.
For the first concert season in 1984, PEMS cooperated with ASU-Gammage in sponsoring seven concerts which featured musicians from all over the United States. In following years local performers were also featured in order to encourage local talent and to demonstrate its strength.
PEMS has sponsored workshops on many subjects including Renaissance dance, troubadour ballads, voice training, and lute, harpsichord and Baroque violin performance. In recent years, a recorder workshop has been held annually.
PEMS encourages social events which bring members together to mingle and to enjoy period music. PEMS Pipes is a recorder consort sponsored by the society. The organization also maintains a computerized directory listing of all members who play an instrument, to facilitate networking among members.