Welcome to the latest edition of Purcell’s Weekly Highlights!
MILTON COURT SHOWCASE
On Sunday, five of our students; Brian Luo, Alexandra Peel, Elissa Street, Cherry Ge and Chea Woom Lee gave spectacular recitals at the lovely Milton Court Concert Hall. With the help of Musicarta and BMP The Sound Recording Company we were able to create a mini documentary for the event.
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Purcell Students Out and About
For those students not sitting exams this week, the incredible staff at Purcell organised some exciting trips for various year groups. On Monday, the Year 8 Students were taken on an art trip to St Alban’s Cathedral and St Alban’s museum. Pupils were taking part in observational drawings, textural recordings and historical research at the Abbey for a future project. Afterwards the pupils were able to interact with some fun history at the ‘Board Games Rediscovered’ at the St Albans Museum and were able to have a go at some large format games. On Tuesday, the Junior students along with the Year 7, 8 and 9 students were taken to the Natural History Museum where they were able to explore the amazing diversity of life on Earth. There was also a Year 12 Trip to Royal Academy and The Photographers Gallery where students visited the Royal Academy and explored the works of Klimt and Schiele, as well as some exciting exhibitions from Richard Deacon, Bob and Roberta Smith amongst others. At the Photographers Gallery, students got to see the works of Roman Vishniac and an exhibition titled ‘All I know is on the Internet’ presenting the work of 11 contemporary artists and their visualisation of 21st Century culture. Wednesday was a fun filled day for many students starting with the Juniors and Year 8’s who spent the afternoon at Kidzania. Year 10 and 11 students had the chance to discover the a rich and varied collection of paintings, photographs and sculptures at the National Portrait Gallery. Afterwards they took a short walk to the National Gallery where the students were able to explore the vast amount of pieces that the gallery had to offer. Also on Wednesday, a few Sixth Form Piano students took a trip to the Royal Academy of Music Museum to visit the very impressive collection of historic keyboard instruments. We would like to give a special thanks to the museum curator, Gabrielle Gale, and Elena Vorotko, a former Purcellian, who gave us a very persuasive and musical insight to the importance of these instruments, demonstrating with artistry the exquisite qualities of the collection and how they shed light on the music that was composed for them. On Thursday, the Year 10 students spent the day at the RAF museum which currently includes three new innovative galleries which explore the first 100 years of the RAF, its roles today and inviting students to imagine its future contribution and technology. Finally, on Friday, the Junior and Year 7 students were taken on a fun outing to Frogmore Paper Mill in Apsley were they were able to experience making their own paper, having a go at letterpress and learning about fibre science.
Jazz Herstory Presents Alexandra Ridout
Purcell alumni, BBC Young Musician of the Year 2016 and British Jazz Awards ‘Rising Star’ 2018 Alexandra Ridout, performed as a quintet including Purcell’s very own Miles Mindlin, playing her own jazz compositions at a showcase presented by Jazz Herstory this week. Jazz Herstory presents female led bands playing jazz now, spanning styles, sounds and generations. Showcasing the richness of jazz being made in the UK today and celebrating the women who contribute, Jazz Herstory presents award winning bands and instrumentalists, composers of national and international acclaim and people making waves locally.
Photos by Monika S Jabowska
