Following last week’s feature about Year 7 pianist Michael’s recent competition success, we were delighted to hear that he has also been awarded First Place and the Gold Medal in the Contemporary Solo (aged 11 and under) category at the Ealing Festival for Music, Dance, Speech and Drama.
Michael performed the contemporary piece ‘In Struga’, which was written in 2008 by the Macedonian composer Pande Shahov. Pande Shahov is Professor of Composition at the Royal College of Music and personally gave this piece to Michael.
Congratulations to Michael, who studies at Purcell under Ilya Kondratiev.
Purcell Pianists Romanian Debut
On Wednesday 15th May, Year 9 pianist Kevin made his concerto debut in Romania. He performed two movements of the Grieg Piano Concerto in Iași, accompanied by the Master Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Virgil Popa. The performance was awarded to Kevin as a direct result of his triumph in the Elite Musicians International Competition last year, when he won one of the concerto prizes. This win was particularly significant because it was from across the entire piano section, taking in all age categories, meaning that Kevin was competing at conservatoire level!
Kevin studies at Purcell under Florian Mitrea, who was in the audience and commented that it was a ‘marvellous occasion!’.
Congratulations to Kevin. Here’s to many more stunning performances.
Focusrite Visit
On Wednesday 15th May, the Jazz and Commercial & Popular Music Departments welcomed the Chairman and Founder of Focusrite Plc, Phil Dudderidge OBE, and the Head of UK Sales for the Focusrite Group, Phil Kidulis, to Purcell for an afternoon of music, touring and conversation.
Hosted by Simon Allen, Purcell’s Head of Jazz and Commercial & Popular Music, our visitors met with key members of staff and reviewed how their products are used here at Purcell, before enjoying a student-led tour of the School and grounds. The afternoon culminated with a fantastic concert in the JCS. Both visitors were ‘blown away’ by the performances of our jazz and commercial groups, and delighted by the Mendelson string octet.
A big thank you to Phil Dudderidge and Phil Kidulis for their visit. We hope this is the first of many and look forward to working together in the future.
Purcell Students Receive Song Academy Shortlisting
We were excited to hear earlier this week that two Purcell students – Oscar (Year 12) and Willow (Year 9) – have had songs shortlisted in the hotly contested Song Academy Young Songwriter 2024 competition.
This year’s competition received over 1,000 entries from aspiring young songwriters aged 8-22, with Oscar and Willow’s original songs making it through to the top 30 in their respective categories. Oscar’s piece Afterlife (16-18 category) and Willow’s song Submerged (13-15 category) can be listened to on the Song Academy SoundCloud account here.
The top 10 finalists of all categories will be announced on the 11th June. We wish Oscar and Willow the very best of luck!
The full Song Academy press release is available here.
Alumni News
Alumnas Firoze Madon has won the prestigious Help Musicians Accompanist’s Prize in memory of Arthur and Gwyneth Harrison at the Kathleen Ferrier Awards 2024. The Final of this year’s competition took place on Friday 26th April 2024 at Wigmore Hall. Across three rounds, Firoze and countertenor Richard Decker performed music spanning five centuries.
Firoze is currently a second-year undergraduate student at the Royal College of Music and regularly performs as a recital and concerto soloist. Whilst at Purcell, he studied piano with Patsy Toh.
The photographs below have been shared courtesy of photographer Emma Brown.
Concert Department Review
St James’s Church Bushey Monday 20th May
On Monday six of our students performed a recital for the over 60’s club at St James’s Church in Watford. The church provided a perfect cool atmosphere for the concert, in contrast to the warm weather outside. The programme, from Beethoven and Grieg to more contemporary music by Elliot Carter and Jazz pieces by Dietz and Schwartz, was well received by all. As well as playing beautifully, the students were confident and interestingly informative in their spoken introductions which gave the attentive audience an added insight into the music.
The concert was rounded off with tea and biscuits and a chance for the students to chat to the audience, which was much appreciated by all. Thank you to Sofiia, Birce, Yacub, Jerry, Cole and Ostap.
Lunchtime Concerts
During the Lunchtime Concerts this week we have been treated to various violin pieces as well as a saxophone, and a piano performance. Friday was a joint concert with our Shanghai visitors, who played the first movement of the Schumann Piano Quartet, alongside a clarinet trio and solo flute pieces from our Purcell students. Well done to Maria, Martin, Miruna, April, Sonya, Bettina, Melody, Suanoi, Birce, Ella and Aaron.
Visitors from Shanghai Conservatory of Music Middle School
We are very pleased to welcome visitors from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music Middle School this week. On Thursday and Friday students and professors from the Conservatory have joined Purcell Students in a series of concerts, in both St Mary’s Church in Watford and Purcell School venues.
Watford St Mary’s Thursday 23rd May Lunchtime Concert
A concert given by visitors from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music Middle School and Purcell students included chamber music and solo pieces of Mozart, Bach, Cassado, Mendelssohn and Ravel. We were very pleased to welcome 120 year 6 students in the audience from Chater Junior School and St John’s School in Watford. The concert was very well attended and much appreciated. Well done to Rebecca, Ella and Phoebe for your performances.
Masterclasses
Professors from the Shanghai Conservatory held masterclasses at the Purcell School on Thursday afternoon for our piano, voice, violin and composition students. These were most valuable and rewarding for the Purcell students taking part.
New Music from Shanghai and Purcell Students Concert Thursday 23rd May
The Recital Room was a perfect venue to hear new music from both Purcell students and those from Shanghai. We heard an interesting and vibrant range of compositions for solo and chamber ensembles. Well done to Rebecca, Isabella, Danya, Ella, Clarisse, Thomas, Ivan, April, Keir, Yulin and Katerina.
Forthcoming Events
In addition to those highlighted events below, please visit our new online Concerts and Events Guide here.
Wednesday 19 June – Singers’ Soiree
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: Recital Room, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required.
Thursday 27 June – Grand Summer Concert
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge, London SE1 9DA
Tickets: Tickets are from £20 and available to purchase here.
To close the end of the academic year, The Purcell School is giving a concert at Southwark Cathedral on Thursday 27th June. British conductor, organist and pianist, Wayne Marshall OBE, will perform Poulenc’s Organ Concerto conducted by Paul Hoskins.
In addition, after 31 years’ service, Edward Longstaff is leaving The Purcell School in July. To mark the occasion, Edward will conduct Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Ecce Sacerdos by Bruckner with support from a choir of alumni.
Performers The Purcell School Orchestra and Choir Wayne Marshall Organ Edward Longstaff Conductor Paul Hoskins Conductor Susanna Fairbairn Soprano Emma Carrington Mezzo-Soprano Paul Austin Kelly Tenor Andrew Greenan Bass
Programme Bruckner Ecce Sacerdos Magnus Poulenc Organ Concerto in G Minor Beethoven Symphony No. 9
Saturday 29 June – Midsummer Music Jazz Concert
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: Stanstead Bury Farm, Ware, SG12 8JZ
Tickets: Tickets are £30 (drinks and canapes inc.) and available to purchase here.
The Purcell School and the St Albans Cathedral Music Trust are delighted to invite you to join us for a jazz concert in the listed 17th century rustic hay barn at Stanstead Bury Farm.
Wednesday 3 July – A Night of Jazz and Soul with Special Guest Natalie Williams
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Watford Palace Theatre
Tickets: Tickets are from £8-15 and available to purchase here.
Students from our Jazz, Commercial and Popular Music Departments will accompany UK Soul and Jazz star Natalie Williams, to present an exciting evening of Jazz and Soul music.
Expect familiar Jazz standards and Soul classics mixed in with Natalie’s own original songs.
