Weekly Highlights 27th June 2025

Posted: 27th June 2025

Purcell Clarinettist Named in 2025 Womens Stars of Tomorrow Awards

We are thrilled to share that Birce (Year 13, clarinet) has been named one of this year’s Women Stars of Tomorrow, a prestigious award presented by the Istanbul Culture & Art Foundation (IKSV). This initiative recognises and supports outstanding young women musicians, and Birce was selected among just 13 recipients.

A special part of this achievement is the continued musical journey Birce shares with her long-time friend, pianist Zeynep Ozden. The pair began their conservatoire studies together at the age of ten, and after Birce joined The Purcell School, she encouraged Zeynep to pursue her education in the UK. Zeynep has since studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School, and this autumn, both will begin the next chapter of their musical training at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

As part of the award ceremony on 21st June at the stunning Sureyya Opera Hall in Istanbul, Birce and Zeynep gave a memorable performance of Darius Milhaud’s Scaramouche and Ahmed Adnan Saygun’s Horon – a vibrant, folk-inspired piece originally written for solo piano. Transcribed for clarinet and taken at an ambitious tempo, Birce’s interpretation brought the energetic Turkish dance to life and earned the duo a standing ovation.

Warmest congratulations to Birce on this richly deserved honour.

Purcell Student Performs with the National Open Youth Orchestra

Over the course of the last two months, Rhys (Year 11, trumpet) has performed with the National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) on their 2025 concert tour. This took in performances at Milton Court, London; The Lighthouse, Poole; Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff; and Town Hall, Birmingham.

The concert featured:

Fragile, Yfat Soul Zisso (NOYO commission, world premiere)
Barriers, Oliver Cross (past NOYO member, composed for the group)
Falling (Kate Whitley)
Parlour Games (Meredith Monk)
Behroozi (Lucky Chops, special arrangement)

The National Open Youth Orchestra is a pioneering inclusive orchestra where brilliant 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.

Heartfelt congratulations to Rhys on what sounds like an extraordinary season with the NOYO.

Purcell Composer to Have Work Performed Internationally in Germany

We are delighted to share more exciting news from Adi (Year 13), one of our talented young composers. Her orchestral work, Dragonflies Indoors, has been selected by the International Alliance for Women in Music (IAWM) for performance as part of their celebrated worldwide initiative showcasing new music by women composers.

Each week, the IAWM arranges for a new score to be performed somewhere in the world — and this September, Adi’s piece will be brought to life by the Virago Symphony Orchestra at St Cecilia’s Romanesque Church in Cologne, Germany, on 25th September 2025.

What makes this recognition particularly remarkable is that the selection process is anonymous, meaning the panel had no idea they were choosing a work by someone of Adi’s age. At ten minutes long, Dragonflies Indoors is an ambitious score for this setting, and its journey is equally inspiring: Adi began composing it at the age of 13 and has since revisited and re-orchestrated it multiple times, demonstrating remarkable perseverance and artistic growth.

This latest success follows Adi’s achievement as a finalist in the Orient Oxident competition with the same piece.

Congratulations to Adi on this wonderful international milestone!

Huw Wiggin Visit – Saxophone

On Wednesday 25th June, we were delighted to welcome renowned saxophonist, Huw Wiggin, (Professor of Saxophone, Royal Academy of Music) as the external assessor for our Woodwind Repertoire Assessments. Huw thoroughly enjoyed listening to a wide range of repertoire performed to an extremely high standard by our first study woodwind students, and then also spent the afternoon working directly with our Classical Saxophone students. A huge thanks to Huw for the visit!

Young Composers Announced as Winners of New Sailing Sounds

We’re thrilled to announce the winners of New Sailing Sounds, a national composition competition run by The Purcell School in collaboration with the Met Office to celebrate 100 years of the Shipping Forecast on the BBC.

Samuel (age 11) was named Junior Winner with his piece ‘The Squall’, and Tamara (age 13) was awarded Senior Winner for ‘Gales in Viking’. Their imaginative works were inspired by Ronald Binge’s ‘Sailing By’, the iconic piece broadcast before the Shipping Forecast on BBC Radio 4.

The two winning pieces will be performed at an important maritime stakeholder summit in Central London on 1st July 2025, forming part of the official centenary celebrations.

Concerts Review

Monday 23rd June – Bedroom Pop Concert
On Monday evening in the Recital Room, we were treated to a whole hour of Lilly‘s songs, both original and covers supported by her band – Natty, Cole, Rebecca and Sam – at our first ever Bedroom Pop Concert.

Students arrived with pillows and cushions and settled down on the mats in the transformed chilled environment of the Bedroom Pop Recital Room. Rather than falling asleep the audience were fully absorbed and focused on the brilliant music delivered by the band. The evening was much enjoyed by everyone.

Thank you Lilly for the inspiration behind the idea which was a complete success.

Wednesday 25th June – Creative Ensemble, End of Year Concert

On Wednesday evening, we were treated to a spectacular choreographed concert of new works, improvisations and music theatre by the Creative Ensemble, led by Dr Daniel Fardon. Performing everything from the traditionally notated to the completely improvised, including electronic and immersive works with video, the CP Hall was transformed into a magical space. Solos, songs, substantial chamber works, and pieces of theatre marked the end of a year of experimentation and creativity.

Lunchtime Concerts
On Monday, the student-led Philomel Orchestra performed beautifully serene movements of Fauré’s Pelléas et Mélisande contrasted with the fiery energy of Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances, all conducted professionally by Tom.

Tuesday saw uplifting melodies sung by the chamber choir interspersed with a fantastic rendition of Charles-Marie Widor’s organ piece Toccata from Symphony no.5 performed by Arthur.

Thank you to Jacob, Otto, Lucas and Angelica for presenting their jazz set in the JCS for the Wednesday concert.

On Thursday, David and Tudor performed Debussy, Liszt and Prokofiev, and in an additional lunchtime concert on Friday all the Year 13’s had their chance to perform miniature piano pieces all written by Cole.

Well done to everyone who has taken part in the lunchtime concerts this week.

Forthcoming Events

In addition to those highlighted events below, please visit our online Concerts and Events

Monday 30 June – Inclusivity Group Concert
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission, no booking required

Tuesday 1 July – Wind Brass and Percussion Department Concert
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission, no booking required

Wednesday 2 July – Songwriters Concert
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission, no booking required

Thursday 3 July – Purcell: Dido and Aeneas
Time: 8.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission, no booking required

Monday 7 July – Tchaikovsky and Sibelius and the Purcell School Symphony Orchestra
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Milton Court, 1 Milton St, London EC2Y 9BH
Tickets: £18 (£9 for concession) and available to purchase here

Programme:
Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet (Overture – Fantasia), TH 42, ČW 39
Sibelius Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47
Dring Eternal Fall (WP)
Sibelius Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 105

Soloist: Dominic-Lucian Drutac

Join The Purcell School Symphony Orchestra at Milton Court for an evening of Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 7, along with the Violin Concerto, performed by Purcell alumnus Dominic-Lucian Drutac. Conducted by Paul Hoskins, this performance promises to be a captivating celebration of music and talent.

Tuesday 8 July – Hit Replay!
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission, no booking required

Join us for Hit Replay!, a lively tribute to timeless songs from various decades, showcasing the beloved hits you recognise and can not resist singing along to.

Performed by the skilled students of Purcell’s Popular and Commercial Music department, this concert brings classic tracks to life with new energy and flair.