We are a group of enthusiastic musicians who meet at the excellent and busy Horsforth Music Centre, Leeds, West Yorkshire, on Saturday mornings during school term times. During the holidays we continue to meet independently. Our instruments include Recorders, Crumhorns and Cornamusen. Players need to be competent sight readers, although some of the music is played frequently enough to become quite familiar. We have played at many venues, (some events for charities), including Renaissance dances, festivals, school fetes, garden parties and stately homes. Our repertoire covers music for the Court, the Church and the People.
The main instruments played are recorders, the four part ensemble being Soprano (Descant), Alto (Treble), Tenor and Bass. There are usually two or three players to each section However some pieces of music require two different parts for the same instrument, i.e. two Soprano parts, two Alto parts etc. To supplement the recorders we also play Windcap instruments - Crumhorns, Cornamusen and Racketts. The ensemble range for these splits in a similar manner to the recorders. Played together with recorders, these provide an interesting and pleasant combination of sounds.
We play music of the Tudor and Early Stuart periods from England, France, Spain, Italy, Germany and the Low Countries. The following are some of the composers of the period whose music we enjoy playing. Anthony Holborne (English, died 1602) John Adson (English, died 1640) Giovanni Gabrielli (Italian, 1557-1612) Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (Italian, circa 1525-1594)		William Byrd (English, 1543-1623) John Dowland (English, circa 1620's) Thomas Simpson (English, 1582-1628) Thomas Tallis (English, 1505 -1585) Alfonso Ferobosco II (English, early 16th C) Tielman Susato (Flemish, 16th C) Claude Gervaise (French, 16th C) Pierre Aignant (French, early 16th C)
	Most of our music, both religious and secular; is from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. It includes dances, such as Galliards, Pavannes, Allemandes and Bransles, traditional songs (folk, mostly anonymous), music from the Church Mass and Madrigals. We usually play some 4 or 5 part compositions, but sometimes when enough players are present we can split into two four-part choirs. This means that eight parts are played at tthe same time with some glorious harmonies resulting.
For further information about the Horsforth Consort, whether it would be available for an event, how to book it or for details regarding joining and playing with the group, please telephone one of the following:		Doug Byfield 0113 2610264 Jim Harrison 0113 2679385 Alan Radford 0113 2584064 Pam Wilson 0113 2251203

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