HCYWS is open to players up to the age of 21 and has opportunities for Keyboard and Double Bass players to get involved also. It provides players with the opportunity to explore the breadth of wind band repertoire with peers in a variety of rehearsal and performance environments.
The sinfonia performs in high profile venues, most recently The Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban. Other venues include the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, London’s Barbican Hall and the Royal Academy of Music. The Sinfonia has recorded several CDs, most recently releasing the premiere recording of Daniel Basford's Symphony No. 1 in 2014, and regularly commissions new works and presents first performances.
As well as brass, percussion and wind instruments, there are places for piano/keyboard and string bass.
For all our non-auditioned county groups, we welcome applications throughout the year! Visit the application form below to get involved.
Summer 2024
Summer holiday course: Monday 29 - Tuesday 30 July 2024
Summer of music from the screen
We will be celebrating film and video game music in all its forms across all County ensembles, for our 2024 Summer courses.
Spring 2024 - February half term course, Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 February 2024 with end of course concert at Mid Herts. Conducted by Dave Gordon-Shute. Folk-themed course, repertoire included:
- Gustav Holst – Hammersmith: Prelude and Scherzo
- Ralph Vaughan Williams – English Folk Song Suite
- Malcolm Arnold – English Dances
- Haydn Wood – Mannin Veen
Autumn 2023 - Joint Autumn course with Hertfordshire County Youth Brass Band.
Tuesday 24 October rehearsals at Mid Herts Centre for Music and Arts
Wednesday 25 October, trip to Wellington Barracks with the Grenadier Guards Band. Repertoire rehearsed:
John Williams arr. James Curnow - 'Olympic Fanfare & Theme'
Nigel Hess ' 'Thames Journey'
John Higgins - 'A Gershwin Portrait'
Summer 2023 - Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 July 2023 at Waford School of Music. Conducted by Dave Gordon-Shute. Repertoire included:
- Shostakovich - Festive Overture
- Duncan Opie - Sabre
- Walter Piston - Tunbridge Fair
- Holst - Second Suite in F
Autumn 2022 - Tuesday 25th October at Stevenage Music Centre
Autumn 2021: Postponed - The National Concert Band Festival at Watford on 31st October has been cancelled and we have therefore taken the decision to postpone our rehearsal day for CWS on Saturday 30th October.
Summer 2021 - Monday 26th – Wednesday 28th July 2021.
Project with the Band of The Royal Air Force - 18th February 2019 at RAF Northolt
Conductors David Gordon Shute (CWS) and Richard Murray (RAF)
Bernstein arr. Grundman Candide Overture
Tichelli Blue Shades
Goodwin Those Magnificent Airmen
Whitacre Lux Arumque
Spring 2020 - 17th-18th February 2020 at Watford School of Music (day 1); RAF Northolt (day 2)
Autumn Workshop Day - 3rd November 2019 at Stevenage Music Centre
County Youth Music Festival Concert (joint with County Youth Brass) - 27th July 2019 at Weston Auditorium, University of Hertfordshire
Conductors Mark Heron (CWS) and Paul Fisher (CYB)
Aagard-Nilsen Ljodgata
Hussey Twisted Skyscapes
Bedford Sun Paints Rainbows on the Vast Waves