We were delighted to hear earlier this week that Year 11 pianist Teodora was awarded both 2nd Prize in the Young category of the 3rd Edition of the WPTA Spain International Piano Competition (IPC) 2023 and a Special Prize for best performance of a work by Beethoven. As part of her prize, Teodora will perform in a WPTA concert in Madrid, receive WPTA benefits and be awarded scholarships for the numerous international piano festivals and masterclasses.
Heartfelt congratulations to Teodora, who studies at Purcell under Head of Keyboard, William Fong.
BBC Bitesize Filming
It is a pleasure to be able to share some behind-the-scenes photos from the recent BBC Bitesize filming of our Classical and Commercial & Popular Music students.
BBC Bitesize is a free online study support resource designed to help with learning, revision and homework, and the professional recording of our students performing will form part of the BBC’s national GCSE content.
Further information about this will be published shortly. Watch this space!
IMPULSE Outreach
As part of Purcell’s IMPULSE Outreach programme, a group of Year 12 students spent last Friday morning (19th January) at Longwood School in Bushey. They ran an interactive Assembly which involved performances from a jazz group and string quartet, as well as presentations about a variety of instruments.
The visit was incredibly well received by an engaged and attentive audience of infant and primary aged children. Claire May, Longwood’s Head Teacher, commented in the school’s weekly newsletter that Longwood’s students were ‘mesmerised from start to finish’ with many of them ‘feeling inspired to get practising’. She went on to further explain that ‘opportunities like this are so important and we are very grateful that you thought of [visiting] us’.
Adam Walker Flute Masterclass Reflection Session
This week, students of Purcell’s Woodwind department enjoyed a masterclass with renowned flautist Adam Walker. The class involved both performances accompanied by piano and group sessions for technique and sound.
Adam shared his knowledge of performing as a soloist, chamber musician and Principal Flute for the London Symphony Orchestra with immense generosity, for which we are hugely grateful.
Jacob Collier on BBC Radio 2 Live
It was wonderful to hear alumnus, composer, multi-instrumentalist and GRAMMY award-winning artist Jacob Collier live on BBC Radio 2 earlier this week (Wednesday 24th January). In conversation with Jo Whiley, Jacob performed live and discussed his journey in music, mentioning his time at The Purcell School.
This week we held five lunchtime concerts, with a special performance by the Symphonic Wind Band on Tuesday. This was very well attended by students and the public, including students from Edge Grove School.
Congratulations to all students involved for their wonderful performances: Sonya, Aaron, Polina, Martin, Kate, Kateryna, Birce, Rebecca, Maria and all members of the Symphonic Wind Band.
Online Flute Accelerate Class
On Sunday 7th April, Purcell’s expert Woodwind Department will be running two Online Flute Accelerate Classes for young flautists of a minimum level of Grade 5 ABRSM or equivalent.
There are 15 performer slots available per session. The classes are 90 minutes each, with unlimited auditors.
This is a fantastic chance for young flautists to explore the Audition/Exam process from preparation to performance, and is an online event which is offered free of charge. The ‘flutes-out’ sessions will concentrate on audition/exam warm ups, building confidence and playing with personality. The class also provides a unique opportunity to play to Purcell’s Flute teachers and receive mock audition feedback.
To register for the 10.00am or 3.00pm GMT session, please complete the form here. Both sessions will contain the same content and so we request only one registration per flautist and timeslot.
Deadline for registrations: Monday 25th March 2024
Forthcoming Events
In addition to those highlighted events below, please visit our new online Concerts and Events Guide here.
Wednesday 31 January – Sixth Form Concert
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission, no booking necessary
The third and final Sixth Form Concert of the year will feature a selection of soloists who are in their final two years of school.
Sunday 4th February – Alexander Ullmann and Teo Gheorghiu Recital
Time: 4pm
Venue: The Clarendon Muse, 70 Rickmansworth Road
Tickets: Tickets are £20 (free admission for those aged under 26) and available to purchase from the Octagon Music Society’s website here.
Purcell alumni perform as a piano duo, and are joined by current Purcell students in a recital for the Octagon Music Society Watford
Performers: Alexander Ullman, Teo Gheorghiu, Jiahao and Anna
Programme: Schubert | Fantasie in F minor D. 940 for piano four hands Grieg | Peer Gynt Suite No.1 Op. 46 for piano four hands Mozart | Sonata No. 14 in C Minor K.457, I. Molto Allegro Liszt | Consolation No.3 in D-flat Major S.172 Liszt | Tarantella from Années de pèlerinage: Venezia e Napoli Liszt | The Transcendental Études S. 139 No. 10 in F minor (Allegro agitato molto) , No. 11 in D-flat Major (Harmonies du soir) and No. 12 in B-Flat minor (Chasse-neige)
Wednesday 7 February – Leeds International Concert Season Lunchtime Concert
Time: 1.05pm
Venue: Leeds Conservatoire
Tickets: Free admission, no booking necessary
Programme: Schubert | String Quintet in C
Performers: Rebecca, Tori, Danya, Ella and Ivanna
Monday 12 February – Rhapsody in Blue Centenary Concert
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: St John’s Smith Square, London
Tickets: £6 to £20 and available to purchase from the St John’s Smith Square website
Performers: The Purcell School Orchestra and Orion Orchestra Nicholas Daniel, Conductor Benji Lock, Piano
Programme: Joseph Phibbs | Veloce (WP) Edward Tait | New Work (WP) Antonia Zadrag | New Work (WP) Gershwin | Rhapsody in Blue Eleanor Alberga | Symphony No. 1 ‘Strata’
Wednesday 28 February – Chamber Music at Wigmore Hall
Time: 1.00pm
Venue: Wigmore Hall, London
Tickets: £18 and available to purchase from the Wigmore Hall website
A programme of chamber music, including a movement from Schubert’s String Quintet in C Major.
