His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts (est. 1982) is an internationally renowned, pioneering ensemble of the UK’s premier virtuoso brass players who specialise in historically informed performances ​​of Renaissance and Baroque music. The pre-eminent group of its kind, HMSC celebrates its thirty-seventh birthday in 2019 and continues to delight audiences worldwide with the glorious sounds of its noble instruments.

The illustrious name of this world-leading cornett and sackbut ensemble is taken from five-part things for His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts by composer Matthew Locke (1621–77), which were performed during the coronation festivities of King Charles II in 1661. Although essentially a recital group, HMSC pursues constantly diverse activities. Individual members teach at conservatoires and universities across Europe and HMSC is periodically invited to give masterclasses and workshops globally. The ensemble enjoys frequent collaborations with other forces, most recently with Magdalena Consort and Fretwork for the Orlando Gibbons Project. HMSC is especially delighted to have recorded the music of Hieronymus Praetorius with Alamire under the direction of David Skinner in September 2018. Other recent highlights include thirty-fifth Birthday Celebrations at St John’s Smith Square (London), opening concert at Pórtico do Paraíso International Festival (Spain) and recital at Schöntal Abbey for Hohenloher Kultursommer (Germany).

HMSC has numerous recordings to its credit. Its own record label SFZ Music was launched over a decade ago, boasting HMSC’s critically acclaimed recordings of the complete instrumental works of Giovanni Battista Grillo, Buccaneer, The Twelve Days of Christmas and many more.