Welcome to the latest edition of Purcell’s Weekly Highlights!
 

International Online Composition Academy

During the half term break, members of the School’s newly formed International Online Composition Academy faculty were hard at work running its inaugural first term, to great success! Over the course of three days, young composers from around the world took part in a bespoke programme of online composition study via Zoom working with the School’s expert tutors and brilliant professional musicians.

The Academy students were able to explore aspects of technique, notation, instrumental writing and concept development. The culmination of this work was a final concert, entitled Folksongs Reimagined, which showcased recordings of the new pieces composed by the Academy students as part of a project created and directed by Purcell’s Aural Teacher and Choral Conductor Irina Walters.

Feedback from both academy students and their parents has been wonderful. A special mention must also be made of the following Purcell staff and professional musicians who gave their energy, enthusiasm and expertise to the programme, none more so than Online Composition Academy Director Alison Cox, who conceived and founded the Academy.

Alison Cox
Irina Walters
Aidan Goetzee
Andrew Williams
Daniel Fardon
Tom Bell
Lucy Goddard
Heloise Werner
Gareth John
Mark Knoop

We all look forward to seeing the rewards of the Online Composition Academy’s second and third terms, which will take place in February and April 2021.

For more information, please click here.
 

Ivor Novello Award 2020 Nomination

Composer and Purcell teacher Daniel Fardon’s Six Movements for String Quartet has been nominated for an Ivor Novello Award 2020 in the Small Chamber Category. The piece, commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society, was premiered at the Wigmore Hall last year by the Bloomsbury Quartet. The Ivors Composer Awards celebrate the best new works by UK composers writing for classical, jazz and sound art, and represents peer recognition with categories judged by those within the UK music creator community.

The winners will be announced on Tuesday 1st December on BBC Radio 3. We are delighted for Daniel and wish him the very best of luck.
 

New Talent British International Youth Music Competition

Year 13 cellist Yena Gook has won a Gold Award at the 3rd New Talent British International Youth Music Competition. We are delighted for Yena, and enormously proud. To listen to her interview about being a Gold Award Winner, please click here.
 

Half Term Masterclasses

Over the half term break, Purcell student and jazz drummer Jack (Year 7) took part in two inspiring masterclasses at Rubix Drums in Northolt. He had a one-to-one session with Jamiroquai drummer Derrick McKenzie, in which he worked through some daily practise habits and disciplines, as well as playing some jazz-infused Jamiroquai classics. Jack also had a masterclass with the renowned drummer Richard Bailey, who helped Jack improve on his rudiment practice, independence and Latin grooves, as well as imparting invaluable advice about becoming a professional musician.
 

Art Studio

This week’s highlight from the Art Studio is Dorian Voinea’s (Year 12) beautifully arresting and atmospheric landscape scene using lino printmaking.