The Hampshire Recorder Sinfonia (HRS) is one of only twelve recorder orchestras regularly rehearsing and performing in the UK. It owes its origins to The Old Town Hall Consort. The addition of basses, great bass and contrabass to this rather large ensemble (it was never a one-to-a-part consort) allowed it to develop into a fully fledged orchestra with instruments ranging from the tiny sopranino to the man-sized contrabass over six-feet tall. In recognition of this changed character, the name Hampshire Recorder Sinfonia was adopted in late 1995 and the HRS Committee established shortly afterwards.
The advanced Saturday morning class of recorder players at Havant Old Town Hall represented the highest group recorder tuition in the region and The Consort was established by its tutor, Christopher Burgess, to provide it with opportunities for public performances. The Sinfonia remains the performing element in this class. In fact, the class tends to be known as The Sinfonia although the class and performing elements are separate in their organisation, administration and finance. The Sinfonia generally performs three or four concerts a year, including its traditional Christmas concert at its home base, Havant.
The Sinfonia comprises some two dozen of the finest recorder players from the county and beyond. These include younger players, including most of the county's award holders on recorder, many of whom advance to study music through higher education. They are supported by older members, mainly on the lower instruments. The high standard of the Sinfonias playing is demonstrated by its consistent success in the Portsmouth Music Festival.
The music played is wide ranging: from Baroque to Belioz, Mediaeval to modern, classic to jazz, blues and swing. It includes music from many countries, polyphonic music and music written or arranged specially for the group. The Musical Director has a commitment to widening the appreciation of contemporary music for recorder orchestra.
The Sinfonia is led by its musical director and conductor, Christopher Burgess. A committee was established in 1996 to deal with administrative aspects, previously dealt with by Christopher Burgess and staff at Havant Arts Centre. Since January 1996, it has operated its own bank account, separate from the Havant Arts Centre administration.
