The Purcell School > News > Weekly Highlights > Weekly Highlights 1st March 2024

Weekly Highlights 1st March 2024

Purcell Pianist Performs at RCM

On Sunday 25th February, Year 9 pianist Kevin gave a superb solo recital to a sold-out audience at the Royal College of Music. Kevin’s piano tutor at Purcell, Florian Mitrea, attended the performance and praised how his student handled the 80-minute solo programme ‘with incredible consistency, sense of different stylistic approach as he moved through all the different composers, and a wonderful feeling of command over the performance space’.

A ‘teaser’ of Kevin’s recital can be found here.

Heartfelt congratulations to Kevin.

Purcell Trumpeter Joins NOYO

It was fantastic to hear earlier this week that Year 11 trumpeter Rhys has successfully auditioned to join the National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) for their 2024/25 season. Rhys was previously a member of the Birmingham and then London regional groups, but had stepped away to focus on his GCSEs. He has now been invited to join the National group for next year, which will include appearances at prestigious venues such as London’s Milton Court, Poole Lighthouse Theatre and Cardiff’s Hoddinott Hall.

NOYO is a pioneering inclusive orchestra where 11-25 year-old disabled and non-disabled musicians rehearse and perform together. It promotes inclusion by performing exciting music written and arranged for a diverse group of musicians and instruments. It also works with venues to produce accessible concerts.

The National Open Youth Orchestra’s sound innovatively blends acoustic, electronic and accessible instruments. Some are not traditionally found in orchestras, such as the electric guitar or the accordion. Others are unfamiliar, such as the LinnStrument, the Seaboard RISE or the Clarion, which some musicians play with eye or head movement.

The orchestra changes every year, with up to twenty young musicians coming together to present a broad programme of contemporary classical music. All come through the ranks of five regional NOYO Ensembles run in London, Bristol, Bournemouth, Birmingham and Cardiff in partnership with leading arts organisations.

Hugely well done, Rhys.

LPO Junior Artists

We were delighted to hear earlier this week that Year 12 clarinettist Birce has been selected as one of the 2023/24 London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) Junior Artists.

The LPO Junior Artists joined forces with the LPO members for an exuberant, free concert at the Royal Festival Hall on 16th February. Under the baton of Luis Castillo-Briceñ, they performed works by Bronsart, Judith Bailey, Bizet, Tayla-Leigh Payne and Bartók.

Congratulations to Birce!

Alternative Tunings

On Thursday 15th February, Composition teacher Daniel Fardon arranged and hosted a unique and exciting masterclass and concert in the Recital Room entitled ‘Alternative Tunings’. Based around different tuning systems and alternative ways of listening to and perceiving pitch, the audience experienced a range of new and diverse works alongside educational talks on tuning.

The masterclass was led by violinist Mira Benjamin from Goldsmiths University and composer Joseph Bates from York University. The stunningly unconventional concert which followed included performances from the guest speakers as well as new works by the Composition Department, a specially made art work installation to accompany the music and alternative comfortable seating options for the audience (beanbags and sofas).

Our thanks to all those involved in this unique and important event.

Alumna Appointed to LSO Panufnik Composers’ Scheme

Last week the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) announced the six composers who will take part in its Panufnik Composers Scheme (2024/25) and we were delighted to see that alumna Laila Arafah is not only one of these composers but also the youngest appointment in the programme’s history.

Across twelve months, these composers will experiment with and develop their orchestral writing skills. They will each develop a three-minute composition, which will be workshopped by the LSO and Principal Guest Conductor, François-Xavier Roth, in a public session at the culmination of the scheme. Two compositions will be chosen to be further developed into five- and ten-minute pieces, to be premiered in an LSO concert at the Barbican.

We wish Laila every success and look forward to watching her work unfold!

Alumnus Appointed RSNO Sub-Principal Cellist

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) has appointed cellist and alumnus Yuuki Bouterey-Ishido as its new sub-principal cellist.

Yuuki studied at Purcell under Pal Banda. He officially begins the role in May, and we would like to extend our congratulations and best wishes to him.

Forthcoming Events

In addition to those highlighted events below, please visit our new online Concerts and Events Guide here.

Tuesday 5 March – Songwriters’ Concert
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission, no booking required

Wednesday 6 March – Middle School Orchestra Concerto Concert
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required

Programme:
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1, I. Allegro con brio
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 2, I. Allegro con brio
Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5, I. Allegro aperto
Luca Newman New Work
Haydn Symphony No.103, I. Adagio – Allegro con spirito and IV. Allegro con spirito

Performers:
Purcell Middle School Orchestra
Zev Piano
Daria Piano
Sonya Violin

Monday 11 March – Commercial and Popular Music Department Gig at The Horns
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: The Horns’ 1 Hempstead Rd, Watford WD17 3RL
Tickets: Free entry!

Students from the Commercial and Popular Music Department return to The Horns music venue in Watford to perform classic Soul, Funk, Pop and Rock.

Wednesday 13 March – Symphonic Wind Orchestra and Choral Concert
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required

Performers:
Lower School Choir
Sixth Form Choir
Symphonic Wing Orchestra

Programme:
Mussorgsky (trans. Lavender) Pictures at an Exhibition
Orff Carmina Burana