Purcell Pianists Success at the Oxford Music Festival

Congratulations to Saule (piano, Year 10) and Tracy (piano, Lower Sixth), who study at Purcell under Morta Grigaliunaite, on their outstanding achievements at the Oxford Music Festival on 1st February. Both students won 1st prizes in their respective categories, showcasing their exceptional musical talent.

In addition to securing 1st prize and a diploma for outstanding performance, Saule has also been invited to perform at the festival’s Gala Concert on 15th February – a fantastic honour!

Well done to both students on these well-deserved successes!

 

Boarding Students Enjoy Watford FC Matchday Experience

As part of the co-curricular programme, seven boarding students enjoyed an exciting trip to Watford FC on Saturday 1st February. A particularly memorable moment came before kickoff when four students spotted their favorite player, ‘King Ken’ (Ken Sema), taking a lap around the field as he bid farewell to the club. When he passed their section, they eagerly asked for a photo – and he happily obliged!

Despite the match result, it was a fantastic experience and one that the students will surely remember for a long time.

 

Chris Richards Clarinet Masterclass

On Monday 3rd February, we were delighted to welcome Chris Richards, Principal Clarinet of the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) and Professor at the Royal Academy of Music, to deliver a masterclass for our clarinettists. Chris worked with Samsara (Year 10), Marina (Year 12) and the Clarinet Ensemble in the Liszt Room, and also coached Tom and Birce (Year 13) on Poulenc’s Sonata for Two Clarinets ahead of their lunchtime concert performance in Leeds on 5th February.

Chris then delivered an evening public masterclass in the CP Hall where he worked with Tom and Birce as soloists before finishing the night with the Clarinet Ensemble working on Farkas’ Early Hungarian Dances.

All at Purcell would like to thank Chris for sharing his expertise in two highly inspirational classes!