Notes From Purcell
CHRIS
HARBOUR Director of Development
AswereachtheendoftheAutumnTerm,wetakeacollectivebreathandreflectonthevast amountofactivityheldinthefirsttermofthisacademicyear.Themusicdepartmenthas deliveredover500musiclessonseveryweek,complementedbymorethan100eventsinthis time,involvinganarmyofstaffandstudents.
OurperformanceatSmithSquareHallon11thNovemberwasoneofthehighlightsofthe term,showcasingensemblesandchambermusicfromourvariousmusicdepartments, exemplifyingthethemeofremembranceandreflection.EquallyasimpressivewasthehighenergyJohnDankworthJazzNightinthelastweekofterm,deliveredenthusiasticallybyour studentsandspecialguestsAlecDankworthandMarkNightingale.Therearemanyexciting performancesinthecalendarfor2025,alllistedonpages16and17.Comeandjoinusinthe historicCadoganHall,thelivelyBerkhamstedJazzCluborclosertohomeattheSchoolfora lunchtimeoreveningconcert.
Owingtothegovernment’sOctoberbudgetstatement,ithasbeenatumultuoustimetryingto navigatethenewlyimposedregulations-VATonfees,theremovalofpreferentialbusiness ratesandanincreasedemployerNationalInsurancecontributionarejustsomeofthe measuresdirectlyimpactingtheSchool.Attheheartofourthinkingisthestudentsandour decision-makingiscentredonhowwecanreducethedisruptiontoourfamiliesandcontinue toprovidethebestpossibleexperienceforourremarkableyoungmusicians.Weareindebted tothosewhodonatetotheSchoolandtothosewhohaveofferedadditionalsupport.This assistanceisneedednow,morethaneverandwegiveourgratefulthankstothewholePurcell Schoolcommunityforyourunwaveringsupport.
ShouldyouwishtoincludeThePurcellSchoolBursaryFundwithinyourfestivegiving activities,pleasescantheQRcodeonpage17.
Thiseditionof Notes From Purcell includesanastonishingarrayofaccoladesfrombothour alumnicommunityandourcurrentstudents.Onpage9youwillreadaboutPaulBambrough’s Goldberg Variations triumphandonpage7,catchuponShlomi’sjourneythroughtheBBC YoungMusicianoftheYearcompetition.
Allthatremainstosay,onbehalfofallhereatThePurcellSchool,iswewishyouajoyous festiveseasonandahappyandhealthy2025.
Overthesummer,Year13pianist Phoebewon1stPrizeinevery internationalcompetitionshe entered,includingtheIMF InternationalPianoCompetitionin Paris,theMimasInternationalPiano CompetitioninProcida,theIPPA ConeroCompetition,andthePacific StarsCompetition.Shealsoreceived the'PianalePublikumspreis'atthe PianaleInternationalPiano Competition,earninganinvitationto performwiththeBeethoven OrchestraHesseninGermany.
Overthesummer,Year10pianist Kevindeliveredtwostandout performancesinShenzhen,China, aspartofthe2ndChineseYoung MusiciansArtsFestival He performedthecompleteGrieg PianoConcertoon21stJulyanda solorecitalon 22ndJuly
WeareexcitedtoannouncethatYear 13drummerJackwasselectedto performattheprestigiousUKDrum ShowinLiverpool.Thisannualevent showcasessomeofthemosttalented drummersinthecountryandJack’s selectionisafantasticachievement OnFriday13thSeptember,Year12 pianistAnnacaptivatedan audienceofover1,000atthe ThessalonikiConcertHallinGreece.
Annahadthehonourofopening theconcertseasonwith amasterfulperformanceof Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, accompaniedbytheThessaloniki StateSymphonyOrchestra, conductedbyEktorasTartanis.
WearethrilledtoannouncethatY 12violinistJuliawonanaudition performattheannualWEHAVEON WORLDUKcharityconcertinsupp ofSaveTheChildrenUK.Juliasha thestagewithrenownedartistSu Studeron29thSeptember2024at DartmouthHouseinMayfair
Addingtothesignificanceofthi rehearsalstookplaceatFlorian LeonhardFineViolinsinLondon Juliahadtheprivilegeofperfor onafineviolinloanedspecifica theoccasion.
Despitebreakingafingertwoweeks beforetheNewTalentFestivalatThe RoyalAcademyofMusic,andtherefore beingunabletopractiseatall,Year11 clarinettistMatildawasastoundedto winthefirstprizeinheragecategory forWoodwindandBrassawardedby FraserGordonandJohnHutchins. MatildaperformedElliotCarter’s Gra andSchumann’s Fantasiestucke totake thewin.
Phoebe
Kevin
Anna
linist,Kutayhadan alsummerfilledwith ties.
acceptedintotheprestigious hiaMusicFestival’sSolo ceProgramme,wherehe thmembersofthe hiaOrchestraandperformedin heUSA.
oawardedbyYoungSounds UKandinvitedtotheRoyalAlbertHall foraBBCPromsExperienceDay.Kutayis oneof24musicianspairedwithmentors fromtheBBCOrchestrasandwillreceive 1:1mentoring,participateinInsight Days,andgainvaluableexperience performingwithBBCmusicians.
Year12clarinettistMarinaauditioned successfullytoperformaconcertowith orchestraduringthesummer.Aspartof theEuropeanYouthSummerMusic course,shedeliveredanoutstanding performanceofRossini’s Introduction, Theme and Variations inthefinalconcert
studentStephaniehasachieved andingsuccessintheLondon MusicianCompetition Stephanie dtwoawardsforhercomposition erformanceof Tempest Over Hong aBronzeintheOriginal ositionPerformancecategoryand stinguishedCharacteristicSpecial
Schmidt,gaininginvaluableexperience throughconcerts,masterclasses,and lectures.
Congratulations toYear13cellistElla who hasbeenappointedPrincipalcelloofthe NationalYouthOrchestra.
Year10popsingerLiawontheRevelation AwardattheRadioAnnualAwards(Galada RádioVizela),recognizingherrisingtalent inthemusicindustry.
Year13violinistRebeccahasbeen acceptedintotheLondonPhilharmonic OrchestraJuniorArtistsProgrammefor 2024/25andsecuredaseatintheNational YouthOrchestraofGreatBritainforthe sameseason
Year11studentsVonandIrehhadan amazingweekinLithuaniaatthe EuropeanUnionofMusicCompetitionsfor YouthInternationalWorkshops, Masterclasses,andConcertSeries.They attendedmasterclasseswithrenowned violinprofessorJurgisDvarionasand performedinthreeconcerts,includingone atPalangosKurhauzas.
Year13pianistPhoebewasawardedFirst PrizeandtheTrophyatThePacificStars PrizeWinnersGalaConcertinCarnegie HallonOctober6th.
Year10cellistYokowasselectedasone of50participantsintheprestigious KronbergAcademyCelloMasterclasses inGermany.Outof170applicantsfrom 39countries,sheearnedaspottostudy withprofessorMarie-ElisabethHecker Yokoperformedthe1stmovementof Shostakovich’s Cello Sonata Op 40 and Bach’s Cello Suite No. 4,andtookpartin publicconcerts.Shealsoreceived mentoringfromProf WolfgangEmanuel
Outofover400pianistsfrom25countries, PhoebewillperformatthePianoConcerto FestivalinPortugalinJuly2025asFirst PrizeWinner
Year13Phoebe,Year12violinistShlomi andYear10cellistYokoperformeda recitalatthe‘RisingStarsConcert’in Godalming.
Rebecca
Kutay
Yoko
Skye(Year11,baritone horn/trombone)andGlyn(Year7, trumpet)bothwonfirstprizesinthe16 &Underand11&Undercategories, respectivelyattheEllandSilverBand Slow Melody Competition.Skyewas thrilledtohavehernameaddedtothe trophy,previouslywonbyPurcell’s HeadofWind,BrassandPercussion, MikeCavanagh
SkyeandGlynalsocompetedinthe OpenQuartetscategorywithRhys (Y12,trumpet), performingan arrangementofSchubert’s Death and the Maiden, wheretheyplaced4th.
Year9studentLucas,whostudiesdouble bass,travelledtoHamburginOctoberto participateinacoursehostedbythe HamburgConservatoire.Theeventgave Lucasthechancetoperforminan orchestraof30doublebassists,playina chambergroup,andattenda physiotherapysessionfocusedon maintaininghealthandimproving coordinationfordoublebassplayers.
Lucasalsoreceivedinvaluableone-on-one tuitionfromFelixvonWerder,double bassistattheHamburgPhilharmonicState OrchestraandStefanSchäfer,principal doublebassistandcomposerinresidence attheHamburgConservatoire
Year12pianistTeodorawasinvitedto performintheprestigiousGalaConcertof theWPTASpainPianoCompetition, followingheroutstandingachievementof winningsecondprize.Inadditiontothis remarkableaccolade,Teodoraalso receivedaspecialprizeforthebest interpretationofaBeethovenwork.
Theconcerttookplaceinthebeautiful SaladegliArazziatanartmuseumin Piacenza,Italy,providingastunning backdropforTeodora’sexceptional performance
Year13clarinettistBircegavea wonderfulrecitalalongsidepianist EleanorMeynellatStChristopher’sCare Centreon29thOctober2024.
Commercialpianoandvoicestudent Oscar,(Year13)reachedthefinalsof theprestigiousRoyalAlbertHallFuture MakersCompetition.
ThefinalstookplaceonWednesday6th November,whenOscarandhisbandof Purcellians–Clementine(Year13, vocals),Sam(Year13,drums),Ramona (Year13,bass)andCole(Year13,guitar) –performedOscar’soriginalsong, Victoria Line,toanaudienceofover 4,000childrenfromLondonschools,as wellasfamily,friendsandapanelof esteemedjudges.
WearethrilledtocongratulateYear13 studentCole,whowasawardedthe ExcellenceAwardatthe6thYinzhong PrizeInternationalComposition Competition.Cole’spiece, Tears,a movingcompositionforbaritone,violin andpiano,earnedhimaplaceasa finalistinthisprestigiouscompetition.
Year12clarinettist,Marina,hasbeen awardedtheNormanHarperBursaryfor themostpromisingunder-18player. Thisprestigiousaccolade,which includesa£1,000bursary,was presentedbyrenownedclarinettist EmmaJohnsononSunday10th NovemberattheOngarMusicClub
We’rethrilledtocelebrateYear13jazz drummerMegan’srecentperformance withtheall-femaleensemble Tomorrow’sWarriorsattheiconicJazz CafeinCamdenonSaturday26th October Thesold-outvenuewas electrifiedbythegroup’sperformance, whichearnedMeganhighpraisefrom boththeaudienceandthejazz community.
Shlomi,PhoebeandYoko
Skye
Glyn
Lucas
Followingtheperformance,Megan waspersonallycongratulatedbythe HeadofJazzFMandreceivedan outstandingreviewinJazzwise magazine.Thearticlehighlighted Megan’sdynamicdrumming, describingtheenergyshebroughtto thestageas‘rhythmicfree-for-alls’ andcalledtheeventapowerful momentforthefutureofwomenin jazz
Year8violinistAstawasinvitedto participateintheOrchestra ExperienceDaywithYoungSounds UKonSunday10thNovember,atthe BBCMaidaValeStudios.
Astahadtheincredibleopportunityto workalongsidetheBBCSymphony OrchestraandtheirChiefConductor, SakariOramo.Theinvitationfollowed herreceivingtheJoanScrutton AwardfromYoungSoundsUKin September,whichincludeda£500 granttosupportherstudiesatJunior Guildhall.
Jarvis(Year7)hasbeenoffereda placeintheNationalChildren’s OrchestrasUnder12Orchestrafor 2025.Thisexcitingopportunityhas beenofferedtoJarvisasaFrench hornplayer,hissecondstudyhereat Purcell.
Competition,wheresheclaimedthe Publikumspreis(AudienceAward).
Astheyoungestfinalistamong30 globalparticipants,Phoebewas namedPianale2024Winnerand performedwiththeHessenClassic Players,conductedbyChristoph Gotthardt.Herperformanceon17th Novemberearnedastandingovation atthehistoricStadtschlossFulda
CongratulationstoCeleste(Year11) forheroutstandingachievementsat theMaidenheadFestivalofMusicand Dance!Celestewasawardedtwogold medals,earning1stPrizeinthe RomanticPeriodClassforher performanceof Waldesrauschen by FranzLisztand1stPrizeintheChopin AnniversaryClassforherstunning interpretationofChopin’s Ballade No. 3 in A-Flat Major, Op. 47.
Herexceptionalperformanceof ChopinalsoearnedherTheJoyce MargaretAnniversaryCup,a prestigiousaccolade.
Celestewentontoreceivean OutstandingCertificateatthe AbingdonMusicFestivalforher performanceof Ballade No. 3 in A-Flat Major, Op. 47 byFrédéricChopin. Celestewasalsoselectedtoperform inthefestival’sclosingconcert
edwiththe asticthathe eorchestra fthehorn
Year13pianistPhoebecaptivated audiencesatthePianalePiano FestivalWinner’sConcertinFulda, Germany,performingBeethoven’s PianoConcertoNo.2.Thisfollowed herwinatthe17thInternational PianalePianoAcademyand
Year11pianistZevmadehis internationaldebutinGermany.On Sunday17thNovember,Zev performedBeethoven’s Piano Concerto No 1 in C Major with the SinfonieorchesterOpus125, conductedbyJavierAlvarezFuentes, attheHauptkircheRheydtin Mönchengladbach,Germany
Playingtoanaudienceof approximately250people,Zev
Zev
Phoebe
Celeste
Teodora
deliveredaninspiringperformance thatconcludedwithastanding ovation
Year7trumpeterGlynwasinvitedto performinaspecialconcerthosted bytheYorkshireRegionalBrassBand CommitteeandtheYorkshireMusic FuturesTrust.Theconcertwasheld attheClothworkersCentenary ConcertHallatLeedsUniversity,and allwinnersofYoungestPlayer AwardsattheYorkshireRegional BrassBandChampionshipsin2023 and2024wereinvitedtoparticipate. GlynwonthisprizefortheFirst Sectionatthe2024Championships
Year12trumpeterRhysattendedthe 2024EnglishSchoolsOrchestra courseatMountGraceSchool, PottersBar,underconductorLewis Gaston.Theorchestraprepareda challengingprogram,including Wagner’s Die Meistersinger Overture, Gregson’s Tuba Concerto withsoloist CharlieJones,andBruckner’s Symphony No. 7,culminatingina concertatCadoganHall
OnRemembranceSunday,Rhys performedthe Last Post and Reveille atStMary’sChurch,Watford,during theServiceofRemembrance Healso accompaniedhymns,including VaughanWilliams’ All People That On Earth Do Dwell,withhistrumpet descantresonatingbeautifullyinthe church’sacoustics
Year7pianistElizabethwowed judgesattheKingstonuponThames FestivalofthePerformingArts, winning1stPrizeintheRomantic MusicClass(17andunder)and2nd PrizeintheRecitalClass(17and under) Shewasalsoawardedthe RachelSteerMemorialCupforher exceptionalperformanceinthe RomanticMusiccategory.
CongratulationstoYear11guitarist William,whodeliveredan impressiveperformanceatthe FarnhamChristmasLightsSwitchOneventon16thNovember.
Natty,aYear13first-study composer,recentlyhadan incredibleopportunitytospenda daywithlegendaryfilmcomposer DannyElfmaninLiverpool.Natty wasinvolvedinrehearsalsfor Elfman’spercussionconcerto, performedbytheLiverpool PhilharmonicOrchestra.
Theconcerto,featuringworld renownedpercussionistColin CurrieandconductedbyJoAn Falletta,offeredNattyabehin scenesglimpseintotheartistr liveorchestralperformance.F assistingduringrehearsalsto accompanyingDannyElfman backstage–andevensharing dinnerwithhim–itwasatruly inspiringexperience.
Matilda(Year11),achieved remarkablesuccessattheSutt Festival,winningtheprestigiou JubileeRecitalCupwithan outstandingscoreof93 Adjudi RosieWhitfieldpraisedMatilda performancesofHorovitz’s Sonatina (2ndmovement)and Weber’s Grand Duo Concertante movement).
Matildaalsoreceivedagoldmeda inaduetclassandasilvermedali asolowoodwindclass.Her impressiveachievements culminatedinaperformanceatth galawinners’concert,whereshe waspresentedwiththecupbythe MayorofSutton.
Pijus
Glyn
Rhys
William Natty
BBC YOUNG MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR 2024
WewerethrilledtoannouncethatYear12violinistShlomimadeittothefinaloftheBBC YoungMusician2024competition.
Teodora
AfterhisoutstandingperformancesofDebussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune and Wieniawski’s Polonaise No. 1,Shlomi’sexceptionaltalentearnedhimawell-deservedspot inthefinalthreecontestants.
ShlomijoinedfellowfinalistsRyanWang (17,piano)andJackyZhang(16,piano), whoalsoadvancedafterahighly competitivesemi-final.
Celeste
Rhys
TheGrandFinal,recordedattheBristol Beaconon24thSeptember,was broadcastonBBCTwo,iPlayer,andBBC SoundsonSunday,20thOctober.Inthe final,Shlomiandtheotherfinalists performedconcertoswiththeBBC NationalOrchestraofWales, conductedbyBenGernon.Shlomiwowedtheaudience,playingTchaikovsky's
Concerto in D major, Op. 35.
ThismilestonewasahugeachievementforShlomi,andwecouldn’thavebeenmoreproud ofhim.EveryoneatThePurcellSchoolcheeredhimonasherepresentedtheSchoolinthe finaloftheBBCYoungMusiciancompetition.Weareexcitedtoseewhat’snextforthis talentedyoungviolinist.
Phoebe
Phoebe
Althoughunsuccesfulinthefinal,Shlomisaid“ThesupportI’vereceivedfromeveryoneat ThePurcellSchoolsincethemomentIfoundoutI’dmadeittocompetitionhasbeen incredible.Itrulyappreciatehowmuchtheschoolhasencouragedmethroughoutthis unforgettableexperience.It’ssomethingI’lalwayscarrywithme,andI’msoproudtobea studenthere”.
Wealsowanttoextendspecialrecognitiontoourotheroutstandingmusicians:RheaJo (recentalumna,oboe),Tom(Year13,clarinet)andSuanoi(Year13,flute),allofwhom reachedthequarter-finalsandperformedbrilliantly.
Violin
Fromleft presenterJessGillam,finalistsJackyZhangandShlomi Shahaf,winnerRyanWangandjudgesAlexisFfrench,AlisonBalsomand HannahCatherineJones.
MASTERCLASSES
Belowarejustafewexamplesofthewonderfulopportunitiesourstudentshavebeengivenalready thisterm...
AwonderfulclasswasgivenbyNicholas Bayley,principalbasswiththeBBC SymphonyOrchestra.Thestudentsgained manynewideasandtechniquestotryout anddeveloptheirperformanceskills.
Studentsweredelightedtoheararecitalbypianist GilaGoldstein.GilaGoldsteinisknownasa versatilemusicianandhascaptivatedaudiences aroundtheworldwithheruniqueartistryand soulfulinterpretations.HerperformanceatPurcell includedSchubert,BachandaUKPremiereby RonnYedidia.Therecitalwasfollowedbyavery engagingandinformativemasterclass.
Wewerealsofortunatetowelcometwotalented pianists,XinWangandMikhailVoskresensky,whoeach ledseparatemasterclasses,generouslysharingtheir expertisewithourkeyboardplayers
ClassicalsingersweretreatedtoamasterclassbyTimEvans-Jones,thehighlyregardedsinging professorfromtheRoyalCollegeofMusic.ThishasbecomesomewhatofanannualeventandTim kickedtheproceedingsoffbygivingtwoUpperSixthsingers‘try-out’auditions.Thisisan opportunityforsingerswhoareauditioningforconservatoirestoexperiencetheprocesstheywillgo throughwhentheydothe‘realthing’.
Followingthat,alltheothersingersperformedasongfromtheircurrentrepertoirewhichTimhelped themtoimprovewithsomeveryusefulfeedbackandtechnicaladvice.Theyallrosetotheoccasion andperformedexcellently.
Grammy-nominatedpianistandvocalistJudy CarmichaelvisitedtheSchooltodelivera masterclasstoourjazz,popandcommercial studentsalongsidePurcell’sjazzguitarteacher SamDunn.Asoneoftheworld’sleading interpretersofstrideandswingpiano,Judy, whoisknownforherinfectiouspersonalityand dynamicperformances,hasplayedeverywhere fromCarnegieHalltonightclubsinParisand Melbourne.
TheworkshopincludedamixtureofJudyandSamperformingtogether,andwithstudentsin rehearsalforajointconcertthatevening
A UNIQUE EVENING WITH PAUL BAMBROUGH
OnThursday12thSeptember,ThePurcell Schoolwastreatedtoaremarkable performancebyourPrincipal,Paul Bambrough.Hecaptivatedtheaudiencewith hisownarrangementofJSBach’siconic GoldbergVariations,masterfullyplayedonthe organinCPHall.
Thewarmandenthusiasticresponsefromthestudentsintheaudiencewasparticularly heartwarming,addingaspecialatmospheretotheevening.Wearegrateful toeveryonewho attendedandmadethistrulyuniqueeventsuchamemorableoccasion.
WIGMORE HALL
AperformanceofPierrotLunaireisalwaysaspecialevent, allthemoresowhenplayedbyyoungpeople.Ourstudents werejoinedbytwointernational,prize-winningsingers, ClaireBarnett-JonesandAlexandraLowe,inaunique projectatWigmoreHalltomarkSchoenberg’s150th anniversary.IainFarrington’singeniousarrangementof Mahler’syouthfulsongcycle,Liedereinesfahrenden Gesellenforchamberorchestra,completedthe programme.
ThePurcellSchoolChamberSoloistsisanew,flexiblegroupthatcanincludeanynumberof teenagemusiciansstudyingatThePurcellSchool.Itisconceivedtoprovidesignificant opportunitiesandexperiencesforthosewhowouldmostbenefit.
Studentsplayedthisincrediblycomplexmusictoalargeandattentiveaudienceanditwasvery wellreceived.Congratulationstoallthosewhotookpart–Suanoi,Ekaterina,Thomas,Birce, Rebecca,Isabella,Dianna,Ella,Jessie,Aaron,Anna,Tristan,Yazdi,Phoebe,Trevor,Hannahand Prince.StudentswerealsojoinedbystaffmembersStephenWilliams(clarinet)andPaulHoskins (conductor).
Watchtheconcertinfull here
ThePurcellSchoolChamberchoirweredelightedtogiveaconcertalongsideconductorTom Winpennyandorganist PhoebeTakManChowatStMary’sChurchinWatford.Thechoirsungtwo Magnificat’sbyVivaldiandDurante,andsoloistsArabellaandMacperformedsongsbyPergolesi, VaughanWilliamsandMozart.StudentArthuralsoplayed Wachet Auf onthechurch’sorgan.This concertwaskindlysponsoredbyTheDMFTrustinMemoryofDavidandMyrtleFranklin.
HATFIELD HOUSE
SeventeenPurcellstudentsmadethejourneytoHatfield HousetoperformaspartoftheirthirteenthMusicFestival. TheHatfieldHouseMusicFestivalisalongweekendof concerts,curatedbyArtisticDirectorGuyJohnston,which takesplaceannuallyinSeptember/OctoberatHatfield HouseinHertfordshire.
Overthepast12yearstheFestivalhaswelcomed performerssuchastheNavarraQuartet,pianistsTom Poster,KathrynStottandMelvynTan,NicholasDaniel (oboe),AlisonBalsom(trumpet),ShekuKanneh-Mason (cello),LucyCrowe(soprano),RachelPodger(baroque violin),JamesGilchrist(tenor),TheSixteen,theAurora OrchestraandVOCES8,alltoplayinthebeautiful surroundingsofHatfieldHouse.
OnSaturday12thOctober,studentsperformedaconcertintheMarbleHall,withaprogramme includingMozart’s String Quartet in Bb KV 458 ‘The Hunt’, andBeethoven’s Piano Trio in D Op. 70 No 1 ‘Ghost’.
OnSunday13thOctober,writer,composerandbroadcasterStephenJohnsonandPaulHoskins exploredthemoonstruckmusicalworldofPierrotLunairewithsingerClaireBoothandThe PurcellSchoolstudents.ThiswasthesecondtimeThePurcellSchoolChamberSoloistshave performedthisworkaftertheirWigmoreHallconcertinSeptember.
FRIENDS AND MEMBERS’ CONCERT
OnMonday18thNovember,theCPHallplayedhosttoafantasticconcertformembersofthe School’s 1962 Society and Friends of the School.TheaudienceweredelightedtohearMozart’s String Quartet No. 17 in B-flat major, K. 458 ‘The Hunt’ playedbyMaria,Martin,YagmurandTeresa, Beethoven’s Piano Trio in D Major, Op 70, No 1 ‘The Ghost’ playedbyShlomi,KenandTristan,and Alone Together (ArthurSchwartz), Autumn Leaves (JosephKosma)and Recorda Me (JoeHenderson) performedbyClementine,Albert,ColeandSam.Thereweremanyappreciativecommentsfromthe audienceaftertheconcert.Ittrulywasafantasticevening,showcasingourwonderfulstudentsand wasaperfectwaytothankourregularsupporters.
SMITH SQUARE HALL
On11thNovember,Purcellstudents,weredelightedto bejoinedbyviolinist,conductorandPatronofthe schoolDmitrySitkovetsky,intheirreturntoSmith SquareHall (formerlyStJohn’sSmithSquare)fortheir flagshipautumnconcert.
Ensemblesfromallclassicaldepartmentspresenteda variedprogrammeofmusiclinkedbythemesof Remembrance. Thedepthoftalentandthediverse programmecreatedapowerfulexperiencefor everyoneinattendance.
TheprogrammeincludedmusicbyBritten,Strauss, Mendelssohn,Tippett,KarlFioriniandArvoPärt.Three pianists–Yifei,ZhuldyzandGrace–alsoperformed solopianopieces–Barber’s Nocturne Op.33, Namucuo Op.53 byYeXiaoGangand Rain Tree Sketch II byTōru Takemitsu.TheHallwasfullofacaptivatedaudience andallstudentsperformedfantasticallywith professionalismandcare
‘TheRussiaofthecomposerexistedonlyinhisart’,–highlighted SimonMorrison,ProfessorofMusicandSlavicLanguagesand LiteraturesatPrincetonUniversity,describingthecomplicated relationsbetweenTchaikovsky’smusicandthecontextinwhichit wascomposed.
InanticipationofMorrison’sDiscourseeventstemmingfromhis latestbook,Tchaikovsky’sEmpire:ANewLifeofRussia’sGreatest Composer(YaleUniversityPress,2024),ThePurcellSchool studentswereinvitedtoperformatPushkinHouseforthefirsttimefeaturingaprogrammeof musicbythecomposer.
TheeventfeaturedperformancesbystudentsAnna,ShlomiandLuca.
PUSHKIN HOUSE
JACOB COLLIER CALLS FOR CLIMATE ACTION IN ARCTIC PERFORMANCE
Weareproudtosharethatalumnus,multiinstrumentalistandGRAMMYawardwinnerJacob CollierrecentlyperformedintheArcticalongside NorwegianartistAURORAaspartofaGreenpeace initiativetoraiseawarenessforoceanandclimate protection Jacobdeliveredacaptivatingperformance onafloatingplatformamidsticebergs,calling attentiontothefragilityoftheArcticenvironment.His collaborationaimstoinspireglobalactionagainst deep-seaminingandclimatechange.
ALEXIS FFRENCH RELEASES NEW CLASSICAL-SOUL ALBUM
Weareexcitedtoannouncethatrenownedpianistand alumnusAlexisFfrenchhasreleasedhishighlyanticipated albumClassicalSoulVol.1.Thisprojectblendssoulful melodiesfromlegendslikeSamCookeandEttaJameswith Alexis‘ssignatureclassicalstyle.Featuringcollaborations withartistssuchasFallyIpupaandPentatonix’sKevin Olusola,thealbumisadeeplypersonaltributetothemusic thatshapedhim.Alexiscontinuestobreakboundaries, captivatingaudiencesworldwide.
ClassicalSoulVol.1isavailableonSpotify.
HUGO MAX TO PERFORM LIVE SCORE AT THE PRINCE CHARLES CINEMA
WearethrilledtosharenewsfromPurcellalumnusHugoMax,whowillbeperformingalivesoloviola scoretoBenjaminChristensen’siconicsilentfilmHÄXAN(1922)atthePrinceCharlesCinemaon5th January2025.
Describedasbothgloriousandgrotesque,HÄXANisalandmarkinsilentcinema,andHugo’slive performancepromisestobringafreshdimensiontothismasterpiece.StartingtheNewYearinbold andshockingstyle,thisuniqueeventwillundoubtedlybeadarkly-rewardingexperienceforallin attendance.
PURCELL ALUMNI TO FEATURE IN NONCLASSICAL’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT AT HACKNEY EMPIRE
WeareexcitedtosharethattwoofourformerMusic Technology and Composition students, Mica Levi and Sasha Scott, performed at Nonclassical’s 20th anniversary concert at the Hackney Empire on 26th October.
Both Mica and Sasha are renowned for their innovativeandboundary-pushingsoundcreations.A highlightoftheeveningwasSasha’sgroundbreaking piece, the world’s first Concerto for Drum Machine and Orchestra, which pays tribute to the iconic Roland 808 drum machine – a staple in tracks by legendaryartistssuchasRun-DMC,LLCoolJ,Afrika BambaataaandTalkingHeads.
JACOB COLLIER RECEIVES GRAMMY NOMINATIONS FOR 2025
We are delighted to celebrate the continued success of Purcell alum Jacob Collier, who has once again been recognized by the RecordingAcademy.Jacob’s Djesse Vol. 4 has earned a nomination for the prestigious ‘AlbumoftheYear’,andheisalsonominated for ‘Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella’ for Bridge Over Troubled Water, a collaboration with John Legend and Tori Kelly.
These latest nominations add to Jacob’s already extraordinary collection of GRAMMY wins and accolades, highlighting his innovativecontributionstothemusicworld. The2025GRAMMYAwardswilltakeplaceon 2ndFebruaryinLosAngeles
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT
WewereproudtoshareonPurcell’sYouTubechannel,therecordingofourspectacularGrand SummerConcertatSouthwarkCathedral(June2024).
Forthoseunabletoattendontheday,theconcertbroughtthelastacademicyeartoaclosein triumphantfashion.InthestunningsettingofSouthwarkCathedral,renownedorganistWayne MarshallOBEperformedPoulenc’s Organ Concerto conductedbyPurcell’sDirectorofMusicPaul Hoskins,whileEdwardLongstaffconductedBeethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Ecce Sacerdos by Brucknerwithsupportfromachoirofstudentsandalumni
TheconcertwasaparticularlyspecialoccasionforthePurcellcommunity.Itmarkedtheendof EdwardLongstaff’s31years’servicetotheSchoolandwasuniquelypoignantforthenumberof alumniwhoreturnedtopaytributetohiminboththechoirandaudience.
Ourthankstotheprofessionalsingerswholenttheirvoicesandexpertisetotheevent–Susanna Fairbairn(Soprano),EmmaCarrington(Mezzo-Soprano),GarethDafyddMorris(Tenor)andAndrew Greenan(Bass).
Youcanwatchtheconcerthere
A DAY IN THE LIFE...
Weareexcitedtoannouncethereleaseofournewpromotionalvideo,‘ADayintheLifeofThe PurcellSchool,’featuringourveryownstudents,ArabellaandOstap,astheytakeusthrougha typicaldayatPurcell.
Thisvideooffersabehind-the-sceneslookintothemusical,academicandextracurricular experiencesthatmakePurcellsuchauniqueplaceforyoungmusicianstothrive.
Wewouldgreatlyappreciateyourhelpinspreadingtheword.Pleaseshareitwithanyoneyoufeel wouldbenefitfromseeingtheincredibleopportunitiesourschoolprovides.
YoucanviewandsharethevideoonYouTube hereinadditiontoourFacebook,Instagram andXaccounts.
CELLO DEPARTMENT
Inadditiontoour‘ADayintheLife’video,wearedelightedtosharehighlightsfromourcello department.
WeweretremendouslyfortunatetohaveJulianLloydWebber,Purcell’sPatronandoneofthe world’smostcelebratedcellists,joinusontheshoottointroducethedepartment.Thevideo celebrateswhatmakesPurcellsuchaspecialplaceforyoungcellistsandthetalentofthe studentsfeaturedisquiteremarkable
Youcanwatchthevideohere
Ahugethankyoutoeveryonewhowas involvedinthisproject.Youhavehelped createsomethingincrediblymeaningful whichshowcasesPurcellatitsverybest.
SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS
A
Regular Gift
By establishing a regular income, we can create a sustainable fund allowing us to proactively develop the School, from facility refurbishments to an increase in bursary fund support for families who cannot afford the fees.Adirectdebitofanyamountwillhelpus achievethisgoal.Clickheretofindoutmore.
Leave a Legacy
Leaving a gift in your will can be an easy and effective way of making a significant contribution to the students at Purcell. As a registered charity, your gift would also be exempt from inheritance tax, making your donationgoevenfurther
For information about joining the Rapaport LegacySociety,pleaseclickhere.
Corporate Support
We have a number of opportunities for organisations to sponsor various aspects within the school calendar, including our showcase concerts and masterclasses throughout the year. Organisations or groups alsohavetheopportunitytoselectThePurcell Schoolastheirpreferredornominatedcharity. If you think your company could partner with us,pleasegetintouch
There are many ways in which you can support the next generation of musicians and help provide social mobility in the arts at a time when funding in the sector is declining. To make a one off donation or to find out more about supporting The Purcell School,pleaseclickhere.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY...
Weareexcitedtoannounceanextensiveconcertschedulelinedupfortherestofthe 2024-2025academicyear.
Belowisalistofsomeofourconfirmedexternalconcertsforyourdiaries.We'llbein contactnearerthetimewithfurtherdetailsandalsotoletyouknowwhenmoreevents areadded.Pleasealsoseeoureventspagehere
Thursday9January,time7-8pm//GodalmingBaptistChurch GodalmingConservatoireBaroqueConcertwithThePurcellSchoolBaroqueEnsemble
Wednesday5February,time1:05-1:55pm//LeedsConservatoire
LeedsInternationalConcertSeason:LunchtimeConcert
Saturday8February,8-10:30pm//BerkhamsteadJazzClub
ThePurcellSchoolBigBand
Monday10February,7.30pm//CadoganHall
OrchestralConcert
RavelMotherGoose
BeethovenPianoConcertono.3(soloist,HermanCerisha)
DvorakSymphonyno.8
BenslowMusicTrustConcert
Monday10March,3-4pm//BenslowMusic BarnesMusicFestivalConcert
Tuesday18March,1-2pm//St.Mary’s,ChurchRd,Barnes SouthHillParkConservatoireConcert
Sunday23March,3-4pm//StanboroughParkChurch
Friday21March,7:30-9:30//SouthHillParkArtsCentre StanboroughParkChurchConcert
Friday28March,7:30-9pm//HinchingbrookePerformingArtsCentre
HinchingbrookeBosendorferPianoConcert
Monday12May,3-4pm//BenslowMusic
BenslowMusicTrustConcert
Monday7July,7.30pm//MiltonCourt
OrchestralConcert
TchaikovskyRomeoandJuliet
SibeliusSymphonyno.7
SibeliusViolinConcerto(Dominic-LucianDrutac)
If you share in our vision for what an exceptional future for music looks like and believe that the education of the next generation of world-class musicians must be a priority, please scan the QR code or for more information, please contact Chris Harbour, Head of Development and Philanthropy on c.harbour@purcellschool.orgor01923331131.