The conductor Richard Hickox established this chamber orchestra in 1971 and is still its musical director. Making its first musical commission with John Rutter in 1972 with the piece Fancies, and appearing at the Proms in 1973, they soon became highly recognised in the English orchestral world, which would soon stretch globally. Based in London it is the Opera Holland Park's resident orchestra and can also be heard regularly playing at the Barbican Arts Centre and St. Paul's Cathedral. Making an annual tour overseas each year, they couple that with being the resident orchestras of the towns Chatham, King's Lynn, High Wycombe and Ipswich, that are all based in the Southern half of England. Each year they normally perform at least 100 concerts and aside from making regular appearances at concert halls and music festivals in England, they are often heard on radio broadcasts in the UK. The sinfonia has made over 100 recordings to date and in 2006 they received a Grammy nomination for their recording of Benjamin Britten's Death in Venice. Playing a part in musical education they set up an Education and Community Programme in 1988 and work with people in all areas of life. Participating in many projects that include workshops, individual performers give performances at hospitals, resident homes, hospices and to parents and toddlers and one of their main areas of interest is the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London which looks after seriously ill children.

William Alwyn recordings

Autumn Legend for English Horn and String Orchestra

Chandos 9065

Conductor - Richard Hickox

English Horn - Nicholas Daniel

Lyra Angelica - Concert for Harp and Orchestra

Chandos 9065

Conductor - Richard Hickox

Harp - Rachel Masters

Pastoral Fantasia for Viola and String Orchestra

Chandos 9065

Conductor - Richard Hickox

Viola - Steven Tees

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