Freddie Faragher
Purcell student Freddie Faragher has been awarded a place (cornet) in the National Youth Brass Band (NYBB) of Great Britain for 2020. As part of the NYBB, Freddie will be given the opportunity to perform concerts in Weston-Super-Mare and at the Dora Stoutzker Hall in Cardiff (RWCMD) this spring. Competition for places in the NYBB is fierce and the standard of playing is very high, so we are particularly thrilled for Freddie.
Leicester International Music Festival
Next week sees students from our Woodwind department feature in their own programme as part of the Leicester International Music Festival’s ‘Lunchtime Concerts’. The 2019/20 series is highlighting female composers, so as well as Poulenc and Mozart the programme has two brand new works from Purcell students Jasmine Morris and Chelsea Becker. For more information about the concert, which takes place at 1pm on Thursday 23rd January in Leicester, please visit the festival’s website.
Milton Court
Our thanks to all the friends, family and staff who were able to attend Sunday’s Senior Showcase recital at Milton Court. It was a fantastic evening of stellar music-making, and we offer our congratulations to Iohan Coman (violin), Carmen Sanchez-Labrador (piano), Lydia Cochrane (saxophone), Anna Maclean (cello) and Bradley Ng (piano). Also our thanks to Magdalene Ho (piano) and Jack Gonzalez-Harding (harpsichord) for their accompaniment. Footage and photographs of the evening will be available shortly. Watch this space for more news.
Purcell Running Club
The first Purcell Running Club event of the spring term took place at Rickmansworth Aquadrome last weekend. Our students and staff joined over two hundred runners (bolstered by New Year resolutions!) who all enjoyed the unseasonably pleasant weather while running two laps around Bury and Latchford Lakes and along the Grand Union Canal. Participants included Reuben, Benji, James, Nadia, Rowena, Jessica, Mr Brookes, Miss Perks and Saffie the cocker spaniel (who always enjoys these events).
National Youth Orchestra (NYO) Concert
On Monday evening BBC Radio 3 broadcast the most recent concert of the NYO’s celebrated Rise Up! tour. Several Purcell students were playing (and singing!) in what was a tremendous performance. So, in the words of the NYO, ‘grab a pair of headphones, turn up the volume, and prepare to be moved’. The recording is available here for another month.
Robin Ireland Masterclass
Earlier this week, our students were treated to a Viola Masterclass with renowned musician and Head of Chamber Music at the Birmingham Conservatoire Robin Ireland. We are grateful to Robin for sharing his time, expertise and enthusiasm with us.