Welcome to the latest edition of Purcell’s Weekly Highlights!
We are completely delighted to announce the marriage of Purcell’s Piano teacher and Accompanist Debbie Shah to Head of Strings Charles Sewart. The happy couple tied the knot over the summer break and have shared the following beautiful photographs of their special day.
Heartfelt congratulations to you both!
On Friday 3rd September 2021 in Vevey, pianist and alumna Yumeka Nakagawa became the XXIX Clara Haskil International Piano Competition winner. The Clara Haskil Prize awards the winner 25,000 Swiss francs and the opportunity to perform at the Vevey Spring Classic in 2022. Success at this, one of the truly significant piano competitions, places Yumeka firmly on a list of leading-edge pianists including Christoph Eschenbach, Dinorah Varsi, Richard Goode and Michel Dalberto, to name but a few. In addition, Yumeka won the Competition’s Audience Award, as well as the Coup de Coeur Special Prize from a jury of music students.
Of Yumeka’s success, Purcell’s Head of Keyboard William Fong commented:
‘This is a huge achievement. My experience of Yumeka is one of a highly motivated pianist with a great passion for music. It is wonderful to see how she has flourished even since leaving The Purcell School a little over a year ago.’
The XI International Balys Dvarionas Competition for Young Pianists and Violinists concluded on Saturday 4th September in Vilnius with current Year 13 pianist Magdalene and alumna violinist Lina Juknevičiūtė winning their respective categories. Two stunning achievements! Year 9 violinist Hana also received a Diploma and Special Prize for talented interpretation.
Head Girl Zozi (Year 13) is the London Music Fund’s (LMF) Graduate of the Month this September. Zozi, who joined Purcell in 2019, was the recipient of a LMF scholarship from 2013 to 2017, and she talks about the impact of this crucial funding upon her musical education in an article for LMF here.
We were so pleased to hear during the summer break that Year 12 organist Sam is now an Associate of the Royal College of Organists, having successfully passed his ARCO diploma.
We are uncertain as to the exact age of the youngest recipient of an ARCO diploma has been, but given that Sam was only 15 when he took the exam at the start of July, we believe it makes him one of the youngest! Congratulations, Sam!
Alumnus and resident Purcell Practice Supervisor Sam Every will be celebrating the release of the widely anticipated 25th Bond film ‘No Time to Die’ in some considerable fashion with his group, The Sam Every Big Band. The band, which features a host of Purcell alumni including Gabriel Taylor and Daniel Higham, will be performing all of the classic James Bond theme tune hits, bespokely arranged for a full jazz big band! They will be live at the prestigious London jazz club, the Spice of Life, on 7th October. Tickets are limited, so grab yourself one now here! Full event details are below:
The Sam Every Big Band: ‘The Best of Bond’
The Spice of Life Jazz Club, Soho, London
Thursday 7th October 2021
6:30pm Doors | 7:30pm Gig
Tickets are available from WeGotTickets here
During the first lockdown, not content with the challenges of remote learning, Purcell’s Assistant Head of Strings Richard Jenkinson decided to take up singing lessons and, it transpires, that he is really rather good! Richard passed his Grade 8 last year in 100 days, and was awarded his ABRSM Singing diploma with distinction this Summer. Richard told us ‘I’ve enjoyed my lessons immensely and this year’s exam involved singing in English, French, German, Italian, Latin and Russian – not bad for a cellist! It all helps, of course, being married to a singer who is on tap for regular lessons.’ I think we can guess the secret to your success, Richard! Congratulations.
