We were delighted to hear over the half term break that Year 12 composer Natty became the Runner Up in Category A of the Young Percussion Composer of the Year 2023 competition.
Congratulations to Natty! We are all very proud.
Purcell Pianist Performs on Prestigious Romanian Stage
On 20th October, Year 11 pianist Teodora gave a stunning recital in Romania’s prestigious Eduard Caudella Hall, at the invitation of the George Enescu National University of Arts. There was a large audience with personalities from the world of music and local mass media in attendance. While in Romania, she also gave an interview with a local radio station about her musical activity and future plans, participated in a workshop by Grace Jee Eun Oh about freedom of expression in the sonata form, and volunteered at the Romanian Music Festival organised by the George Enescu National University of Arts.
What a fantastic amount of accomplishments for the half term break. Well done, Teodora.
Purcell Pianists in Franz Liszt Competition
The 6th International Franz Liszt Competition for Young Pianists is currently taking place in Weimar, Germany. Two Purcell pianists – Anna (Year 11) and Phoebe (Year 12) – have been competing in the competition, with Anna reaching the 3rd round of Category II.
Anna will play Grieg’s Klavierkonzert a-Moll op. 16 in the 3rd Round, which is being live streamed here from 16.30 today (Friday 3rd November 2023). Her programme begins at 19.00, and we wish her the very best of luck. Please tune in.
This is a tremendous achievement for both students, of which we are all hugely proud.
Purcell Pianist Competes International Piano Competition
We were delighted to hear earlier this week that Year 11 pianist Patchubun took Second Prize in Category D of the Churairat ABRSM Piano Competition 2023. Well done, Patchubun. We are all thrilled for you.
Purcell Trumpeter Performs with English Schools Orchestra
During half term holiday, Year 11 trumpeter Rhys spent a week on a residential course with the English Schools Orchestra. Hosted at Mount Grace School, Potters Bar, the orchestra worked under the baton of guest musical director Lewis Gaston on a programme of English music in celebration of the coronation of King Charles III. The Course culminated in a concert at London’s Cadogan Hall, and the programme was as follows:
Walton | Crown Imperial
Britten | Sinfonia da Requiem
Elgar | Symphony No 1 in Ab
Well done, Rhys, on an incredibly well spent half term break.
Purcell Students Support Local School in Song Contest
At the start of half term break, a number of Purcell students supported the nearby Grange Academy with their World Vision song contest. The young musicians formed a large part of the contest’s backing band, alongside Grange Academy students and peripatetic music teachers. The programme was extremely varied and featured songs from all around the world, many of which were sung in languages other than English! The eventual prize winners were performances in French (2nd place) and Spanish (1st place). Congratulations to the winners, and to all performers in what was a wonderful and uplifting evening of music making!
Halloween Social
This year the day of spooks and scares fell mid-week on a Tuesday, and the boarders of Purcell did not disappoint in their spook-tacular celebrations. When wandering around campus, you were as likely to bump into a werewolf or a corpse bride as a cellist or composer. There were ghostly goings-on in the CP Hall, a spooky supper in the dining room and a thriller DJ set in the newly refurbished T block – the only occasion when scary dance moves are acceptable.
Our thanks to all of the boarding staff who treated the boarders to such a fang-tastic evening.
Concerts Department Highlights
This week at Purcell, we were treated to Sarah-Jane Bradley‘s Viola Class Concert, and four lunchtime concerts.
Well done to all performers for their outstanding playing: Ivan, Yulin, Clementine, Chloe, Thomas, Ostap, members of Chamber Choir, Mina, Theadora, Tifany and Dianna.
Alumnus to Perform with Hillingdon Philharmonic Orchestra
Pianist and alumnus Bocheng Wang will take the piano solo in the Hillingdon Philharmonic Orchestra’s 18th November commemorative concert. The programme will include Dvořák, Sibelius and Grieg, and will be performed at Northwood College. Please see the flyer below for further details.
Purcell Physiotherapist Update
Over the half term break, Purcell’s Physiotherapist Sarah Upjohn has been characteristically busy in the promotion of musculoskeletal wellbeing for young musicians. Teaching anatomy, biomechanics of breathing and ‘load management’ at the Royal College of Music, running workshops at the London Symphony Orchestra’s East London Academy, being interviewed for ‘The Strad’ and taking part in a Double Bass Day with London Basses. Sarah will also be in Bristol this weekend to talk to 350 young string players at the Benedetti Foundation.
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.
Monday 20th November – Purcell Symphony Orchestra at St John’s Smith Square
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: St John’s Smith Square, Smith Square, London SW1P 3HA, UK
Tickets: Tickets are £5 to £20 and available to purchase here
Performers: Purcell School Symphony Orchestra Paul Mann, Conductor Hana McDowell, Violin Ekaterina Chunikhina, Oboe
Programme: Laila Arafah – Slacktide, Warbling (Purcell Parallels, WP) Daniel Fardon – August Tune: Running Music (Purcell Parallels, WP) Bartók – Violin Rhapsody No 1 Martinu – Oboe Concerto Brahms, arr. Robin Holloway – Symphony in F minor
Tuesday 21st November – Purcell Symphony Orchestra at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Time: 1.05pm
Venue: Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, 200 Jennens Rd, Birmingham B4 7XR, UK
Tickets: Free admission. Booking, however, is required. Please book here.
Performers: Purcell School Symphony Orchestra
Programme: Laila Arafah – Slacktide, Warbling (Purcell Parallels, WP) Daniel Fardon – August Tune: Running Music (Purcell Parallels, WP) Brahms, arr. Robin Holloway – Symphony in F minor
Wednesday 29th November – Wigmore Hall
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Wigmore Hall, 36 Wigmore Street, London W1U 2BP
Tickets: £18 and available here.
There is always much excitement for our annual soloists’ concert at Wigmore Hall! An astonishing proportion of students audition for the opportunity to perform and an external adjudicator has the difficult task of selecting the final programme. This concert is definitely not one to miss.
Programme: Rebecca Clarke – Viola Sonata, I. Impetuoso York Bowen – Flute Sonata Op. 120, I. Allegro non troppo Martinů – Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano H. 356 Kodály – Duo for Violin and Cello Op. 7, I. Allegro serioso, non troppo Eric Sammut – Libertango Nebojša Živković – Ilijaš Debussy – Étude No.11 Toru Takemitsu – Rain Tree Sketch No.2 Ravel – Jeux D’Eau Fauré– Nocturne Liszt – Vallée d’Obermamm from Années de Pélerinage Liszt – Concert Étude S.144 No.2
Performers: Mina, Suanoi, Birce, Dominic, Lindsey, Ali, Nancy and Grace
