Weekly Highlights 10th October 2025

Purcell Student’s Composition Performed at Westminster Abbey

We are thrilled to share that Year 11 organist and composer Arthur has had one of his works performed by the world-renowned Choir of Westminster Abbey during Choral Evensong this week — on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Arthur’s piece, inspired by verses from Psalm 62 (‘My soul, wait thou only upon God’), was developed in collaboration with Andrew Nethsingha, Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey. Reflecting on the work, Arthur explained how he sought to capture the emotional depth of the text through music: ‘There is a line that says, ‘Pour out your hearts before him.’ I made this the climax of the piece, using a polyphonic texture with a descending, repeated pattern to give the sense of the music itself pouring out. The work ends with the words, ‘God is a refuge for us,’ which speak of shelter and safety — so I aimed for the ending to convey comfort and peace.’

Arthur said he feels ‘honoured and grateful’ to have his composition performed by such a distinguished ensemble in one of the nation’s most iconic settings – a remarkable achievement and a moment to remember.
 

A Remarkable Summer for Purcell Soprano

This summer has been full of remarkable experiences and achievements for Olivia, a Year 12 student.

In June, Olivia was selected as a finalist in the prestigious campaign ‘100 Young People for the Development of Romania’, organized by the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania. She was also included in the foundation’s first-ever Catalogue of Romanian Excellence, an initiative celebrating outstanding young talents contributing to the country’s future.

In July, Olivia took part in a televised interview during the ‘100 Young People for Romania’ Gala, broadcast on Antena 3. Later that month, she had the honour of opening the Gala of Exceptional Teachers with a powerful and emotional rendition of the academic anthem ‘Gaudeamus igitur’. The event, also broadcast on Antena 1, was a deeply meaningful moment for Olivia, both as a young soprano and as a member of the campaign.

In August, Olivia travelled to Brescia, Italy, where she attended a masterclass with world-renowned mezzo-soprano Tanja Baumgartner as part of the Talent Music Summer Opera Festival.

At the beginning of September, Olivia gave an interview during the George Enescu International Festival, one of Europe’s most prestigious classical music events. There, she reconnected with Tanja Baumgartner and had the opportunity to meet Cristian Măcelaru, the Artistic Director of the festival. Ms. Baumgartner personally recommended Olivia to Maestro Măcelaru as an excellent and promising future soprano.

An inspiring series of achievements for Olivia — and a wonderful glimpse of a bright future ahead!

Purcell Student Wins Songwriting Competition

We’re thrilled to share that Year 12 student Samuel has been named the winner of the Song Academy’s 2025 The Young Songwriter competition in the 16-18 age category for his original track Only When It’s Easy.

This outstanding achievement follow’s Samuel‘s success last year, when he placed second in the 2024 competition with his track Fell For You.

The Young Songwriter competition is the UK’s leading platform for emerging young artists, celebrating creativity, originality and lyrical talent. Congratulations to Samuel on this fantastic win – we can’t wait to hear what you create next!
 

Woodwind Accelerate Afternoon

Following our Open Morning on Sunday 5th October, we hosted a Woodwind Accelerate Afternoon here at Purcell. Lead by Head of Wind, Brass & Percussion, Mike Cavanagh, this event provided the opportunity for a number of local woodwind players to work and play alongside our current students and expert Woodwind tutors. The afternoon consisted of a mix of full ensemble and sectional rehearsals, and students also had the opportunity to play in a series of masterclasses with our tutors. The afternoon finished with a short concert for parents in the CP Hall, which also featured the Purcell Flute Trio and a massed Clarinet Ensemble performance. A huge thank you to Mark Taylor (Flutes), James Turnbull (Oboes & Bassoons), Steve Williams and Izzie Couch (Clarinets) and Amy Green (Saxophones) for their help in making the day a huge success.

Purcell’s Summer Art Show

This Summer Art Show – GCSE & A Level Art Exhibition – was a joyful celebration of individuality, imagination and creative freedom. Each display burst with personality, as students showcased their unique themes and experimented boldly across a wide range of media – from vibrant painting and drawing to expressive textiles, sculpture, printmaking and digital manipulation.

The variety was striking, reflecting the students’ diverse interests, cultural influences and artistic voices. There was a palpable sense of fun, curiosity and confidence throughout the exhibition, with many projects revealing deeply personal journeys and playful explorations.

This freedom of choice not only nurtures technical skill and visual literacy, but also beautifully complements the musical studies undertaken by Purcell’s students – together forming a richly expressive, interdisciplinary environment where the arts are truly alive and thriving.

Concerts Review

Piano Department Concert – 8th October 2025
Seven of our talented piano students – Suna, Alex, Stephanie, Kristal, Tracy, Ryosuke and Daria – took to the stage of CP Hall, dazzling the audience with their impressive performances. Together, they presented a rich and diverse programme featuring works by Haydn, Balakirev, Schumann, Ravel, Chopin and Liszt.

A huge well done to all our pianists for their wonderful playing in the first of this year’s piano concerts – a brilliant start!

Hatfield House Music Festival Schools Concert – 9th October 2025
Our fantastic jazz quintet – Otto, Seth, Ethan, Flo and Rowena – masterfully accompanied the Howe Dell Primary School choir as part of the Hatfield House Music Festival. Under the expert direction of distinguished jazz pianist Pete Letanka, our students joined the Howe Dell pupils in performing music by Haydn for an audience of 150 children from local primary schools.

The concert concluded with a joyful finale, as the entire audience joined in with clapping and body movements, creating a wonderfully inclusive and uplifting atmosphere.

Congratulations to all our talented musicians – what a memorable experience and a lovely atmosphere you helped create!
 
Lunchtime Concert
The lower instruments opened the week’s concerts with a bassoon duet arrangement of the Cavatina from The Barber of Seville and a double bass piece by Nino Rota followed by a Haydn piano sonata.

Well done to Ostap, Prince and Suna for these. Two back to back harp solos on Tuesday were followed by a solo Ravel piano piece, performed by Farrah, Selin and Stephanie.

The composers flourished on Wednesday, pieces written by Aedan, Gerard and Hiroatsu were performed by Patrick, Stelios, Gerard, Rose, Samsara, Natalie, Trevor and Ostap.

The week of concerts was completed with two violin solo performances by Tristan and Sofiia. Well done to everyone who performed this week.
 

Birce Kayhan To Perform with Welwyn Garden City Orchestra

We are delighted to share that clarinettist and Purcell alumna Birce Kayhan will appear as soloist with the Welwyn Garden City Orchestra on Sunday 19th October at 5.30pm.

Birce will perform Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No. 1, a virtuosic and much-loved work that beautifully showcases the expressive range of the instrument. The concert promises to be a wonderful evening of music-making and we warmly encourage all who can to attend.

Tickets will be available on the door or via wgcms.org.uk.
 

Forthcoming Events

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

Saturday 11th October – Hatfield House Music Festival Family Concert
Time: 11.00am
Venue: St Etheldreda’s Church, 2 Fore Street, Hatfield East
Tickets: Tickets are £12 adults, £5 4-18 year olds and available from Hatfield House Music Festival

Programme will include:
Poulenc Mouvements perpetuels
Poulenc Intermezzo from Violin Sonata
Ravel Ondine For Piano Solo
Ravel Minuet from Le tombeau de Couperin arranged for Wind Quintet
Robert Saxton Tombeau de Ravel

Wednesday 15th October – Composers Concert
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required.

Tuesday 4th November – St Albans Evensong
Time: 5.00pm
Venue: St Albans Cathedral, Sumpter Yard, St Albans AL1 1BY
Tickets: Free admission with a retiring collection

Friday 7th November – Birmingham University Lunchtime Concerts
Time: 1.00pm
Venue: The Elgar Concert Hall, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham B15 2TT
Tickets: Free admission.

Students from The Purcell School will perform a concert featuring Ravel’s Piano Trio composed in 1915 in the months before the composer enlisted to serve in the army during World War I.

For further information, please click here.