The Aurelius Ensemble is named after Marcus Aurelius Thompson, internationally acclaimed violist and chamber music player, to honor his 25 years of exemplary service in mentoring and educating young musicians at MIT. Thompson, Taylor Professor of Music since 1995 and Professor of Music since 1973 at MIT, founded the MIT Chamber Music Society his first year at the Institute and continues to promote and coach chamber music as head of the Society.

Founded summer 1998 by MIT musicians, the ensemble's affiliated musicians now number 18. The Aurelius Ensemble, still less than a year old, has already presented several highly successful theme concerts to standing-room-only audiences at MIT's Killian Hall. A group of four members from the ensemble has formed the Aurelius Piano Quartet, which presented its debut concerts this spring.