Purcell Violinist wins Norfolk Young Musician 2025
We are thrilled to share that Year 12 violinist, Tristan, has been awarded the title of Norfolk Young Musician 2025.
The annual competition, organised by the Michael Badminton Musicians Trust, took place earlier this month and saw 15 talented young musicians from across Norfolk showcase their skills. Renowned cellist Joely Koos adjudicated the competition and commended all of the participants on their ‘impressive performances’.
Our congratulations to Tristan! Hugely well done.
Wind, Brass & Percussion Taster Day with LYCB
On Sunday 19th January, our Head of Wind, Brass & Percussion, Mr Cavanagh, organised a WBP Taster Day where we were delighted to welcome the London Youth Concert Band (LYCB) and other local young musicians to work side-by-side with our Symphonic Wind Orchestra. The day began with a massed rehearsal on Bernstein’s Overture to ‘Candide’ and Marquez’s Conga del Fuego Nuevo, followed by sectional rehearsals led by the expert instrumental tutors here at Purcell. There was then time for a Q&A with Mr Cavanagh, Purcell’s Principal Mr Bambrough and Year 13 flautist Suanoi, before ending the day with a closing concert which featured over 90 young musicians performing in front of a packed CP Hall!
Year 11 Art Students Find Inspiration at the Tate Modern
On Tuesday 14th January, our Year 11 GCSE Art students swapped their classrooms for the creative halls of the Tate Modern in London. This exciting trip was organised by Head of Art, Mrs Samuel, as an enriching opportunity to inspire students in preparation for their exam components.
Describing the day as a chance ‘to nourish their exam component, looking through the lens of their starting point, Mrs Samuel encouraged the students to immerse themselves in the diverse collection of contemporary and modern art on display.
As the students sketched, photographed and reflected on their favourite pieces, the trip offered a creative spark that promised to shape their own artistic journeys in the months to come.
Concerts Review
Lunchtime Concerts
The week of lunchtime concerts had a fabulous start with the Lower School String Ensemble’s performance of the first movement of the Haydn String Quartet. Well done Gracie, Alexandra, Jarvis, Asta, Norah and Summer. The music continued with excellent performances including solo cello, four violins, piano four hands, violin and viola pieces to name a few. Well done to Anthony, Tudor, Chaeyu, Ken, Martin, Isaac, Sofiia, Kuan-Lin, Alina, Saule, Farah and Harry for your performances.
Forthcoming Events
In addition to those highlighted events below, please visit our new online Concerts and Events Guide.
Tuesday 28 January – Oscar and Lilly Original Songs Concert
Time: 7pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission, no booking required, with a retiring collection for Bushey Festival
Get ready for an evening of incredible live music! Our amazing Year 13 singer-songwriters, Oscar and Lilly, will hit the stage with their bands to perform original tracks and fresh takes on classic covers.
Wednesday 5 February – Leed International Concert Season: Lunchtime Concert
Time: 1.05pm
Venue: Leeds Conservatoire
Tickets: Free admission, no booking required
Programme to include: DebussySyrinx (for solo flute) DebussyDanses Sacree et Profane (for harp and string quartet) Lili BoulangerNocturne (for flute and piano) PoulencDuo (for two clarinets) RavelJeux d’eau (arr. for solo harp) Ravel Introduction and allegro (or flute, clarinet, harp and string quartet)
Saturday 8 February – Berkhamsted Jazz Club: The Purcell School Jazz Ensemble with Derek Nash and Martin Shaw
Time: 8pm
Venue: Berkhamsted Jazz Club, The Civic Centre, High Street, Berkhamsted HP4 3HD
Tickets: £20 (concs. £6-14) and available to purchase here.
As part of the BJazz initiative to Showcase Emerging British Talent, The Purcell School’s Jazz Ensemble will present a high energy mixture of well-known jazz standards, as well as Derek Nash’s own compositions, in a huge variety of styles. The band will be led by Martin Shaw to a programme produced by Simon Allen, both luminaries of Jazz in Britain.
Warming up the stage will be alumnus Louis Richardson’s Fusion Trio, featuring current Purcell students Natty and Sam (Year 13).
Programme 6:45pm: Early doors 7:10pm:Louis Richardson Fusion Trio 8:00pm: The Purcell School Jazz Ensemble led by Martin Shaw (trumpet), with special guest star Derek Nash (saxophone)
For more information, please visit the Berkhamsted Jazz Club’s website.
Monday 10 February – Cadogan Hall: Ravel, Beethoven and Dvořák
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London
Tickets: Prices from £20 to £30, available here
Marking the year of Ravel’s 150th anniversary, the programme opens with his Mother Goose Suite. The piece, originally written as a five-movement piano duet in 1910, was orchestrated by Ravel in 1911.
Alumnus Herman Cerisha returns to perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, and Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony completes the programme.
Wednesday 12 February – New Sounds 25 Concert
Time: 7pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission, no booking required
Join us for an exciting and varied celebration of new music written by young composers from all age groups throughout the Purcell.
Sunday 16th February – Bechstein Hall Young Artist Series
Time: 10.30am
Venue: Bechstein Hall, 22 Wigmore Street, London W1U 2RH
Tickets: Available from £5 here
Begin your Sunday morning with a delightful 45 minute performance by two Purcell students.
Programme: Harp Henriette Renié Legende E.A. Walter-KühneFantasy on Themes from Eugene Onegin Paul PattersonTarantula, from Spiders
Piano ScriabinSonata No.5 ChopinScherzo No.3
Tickets include bottomless coffee, and freshly baked pastries will be available to purchase.
Wednesday 26 February – Wind, Brass and Percussion Showcase Concert
Time: 7pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission, with donations to the School kindly received
Tuesday 28 January – Oscar and Lilly Original Songs Concert