The Harmony Chorus
It was wonderful to welcome back former student Tiana Oberoi on Tuesday 5th September. Tiana visited as part of The Harmony Chorus, a fantastic choir based in Bangalore, and drawing in young Indian singers from across the subcontinent. The choir sings music from a brilliantly wide and eclectic mix of genres, including sacred music, folk, popular music and Bollywood hits! The choir, directed by Sandra Oberoi, was on a tour of the UK, and had performed earlier in venues as wide-ranging as the Isle of Man and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Their UK visit provided an amazing opportunity for Purcell students to work with other talented young singers. The first Chamber Choir session of the new term was given over to an impromptu workshop combining the voices of both choirs. In the evening, the term’s concert season kicked off in energetic and joyful style; some original work, a parody song about ‘Hinglish”, Bollywood hits and some traditional music from South India were delivered by The Harmony Chorus, alongside a beautiful Tallis piece which the joint choir had worked on together. Hopefully this visit will be the start of more collaboration going forwards. It was wonderful to see the students discussing their hopes, plans and ambitions with contemporaries from across the world – and exchanging contacts to keep in touch with one another. Truly the musical network is a global one and for our young musicians at Purcell this is even more enthusiastically the case!
We wish Tiana every success as she begins her vocal studies at Conservatoire this week – and to The Harmony Chorus we say: Thank you for all the musical skill and joy you brought (on only Day 2 of term) and come back soon!
Concerts Department Highlights
Welcome back to our Autumn Term Concert Season. The Lunchtime Concert Series has resumed this week at Purcell, with four impressive Lunchtime Concerts taking place.
Well done to all performers for their brilliant playing: Jacqueline, Cole, Ciara, Albert, Ekaterina, Rhys, Joshua, Trevor, Alex, Skye, Belinda, Willow, Rowena, Emma, Anna, Mason, Mr Swain, Nathaniel, Rocco, Ali and Hannah.
Open Morning
Our autumn Open Morning will take place on Sunday 8th October 2023. We look forward to welcoming prospective students and parents, who will meet staff and students, take in the campus facilities and enjoy the outstanding music-making that characterises the School.
Please feel free to share news of the Open Morning.
Registration is open now, please click here to attend.
Woodwind Accelerate Afternoon
We are delighted to be hosting another Woodwind Accelerate Afternoon on Sunday 3rd December from 2pm to 5pm.
The event is open to all Woodwind players of Grade 3 standard and above, and is a fantastic opportunity for young wind players to explore aspects of solo performance, technique and chamber music with Purcell’s music tutors.
To register for the Woodwind Accelerate Afternoon, please complete the form on our website here which will confirm your place. Further information will be sent to the registered email address in the week before the event.
Forthcoming Events
In addition to those highlighted events below, please visit our new online Concerts and Events Guide here.
Wednesday 20th September – Sixth Form Concert
Time: 7pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking necessary
Saturday 30th September – Family Concert at Hatfield House Chamber Music Festival
Time: 2pm
Venue: St Etheledreda’s Church, 2 Fore Street, Hatfield AL9 5AL
Tickets: Tickets are £12 for adults and £5 for 4-18 year olds, and available from the Hatfield House Chamber Music Festival website here.
The young musicians of The Purcell School are excited to return, for a third year, to the annual Hatfield House Chamber Music Festival, and will be performing the Family Concert.
Programme:
Leopold Mozart Toy Symphony
Rachel Bruerville Dancing on Tiptoes
Purcell School Student World Première
Vivaldi Four Seasons Autumn
Performers:
James Mayhew illustrator
Purcell School for Young Musicians
Paul Hoskins conductor
Dancer from Trinity Laban Conservatoire for Music and Dance
Wednesday 11th October – Robin Holloway 80 Celebration
Time: 7pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking necessary
In celebration of renowned composer Robin Holloway’s 80th birthday The Purcell School presents this concert. More information and the programme will be released shortly.
Friday 13th October – Lunchtime Concert at St John’s Boxmoor
Time: 12.30pm
Venue: St John the Evangelist, Station Road, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1JY
Tickets: Admission by donation. No booking required
Friday 13th October – Lower School Concert
Time: 3pm
Venue: Recital Room, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required
Join us in the final concert of this half term and hear some of our youngest musicians who are incredibly keen to perform! For some this will be their first public performance as Purcellians.
