IMPULSE Inspires Young Musicians at Edge Grove School
Last week, students from Purcell’s IMPULSE outreach group visited Edge Grove School to lead a music session and assembly for pupils, sharing their passion for music and inspiring the next generation of young musicians.
The visit was met with enthusiastic feedback from Edge Grove staff. Dan Evans, Director of Music at the school, commented: “Thank you to IMPULSE for a fantastic assembly on Friday. The pupils have been buzzing since, with many wanting to take up instruments, all due to your students. Their professionalism, character and astounding musicality was truly inspirational and I cannot thank them enough.”
We are incredibly proud of our IMPULSE students for representing Purcell with such confidence, generosity and musical excellence, and for making such a meaningful impact through their outreach work.
Alumnus Philip Dutton Premieres New Work with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
We are delighted to share news from Purcell alumnus Philip Dutton, whose new orchestral work, There, where I call home, commissioned by BBC Radio 3, will receive its world premiere this February.
The piece will be performed by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ryan Wigglesworth, with the premiere taking place on 19 February at Glasgow City Halls, broadcast live on BBC Radio 3. A second performance will follow on 20 February at Perth Concert Hall.
Philip has spoken warmly of the support and encouragement he received during his time at Purcell, and we are proud to see his work reaching such a significant milestone on the national stage. We wish him every success for these performances.
Jacob Collier Recognised at 2026 Grammy Awards & Highlights the Power of Music
Purcell alumnus Jacob Collier continues to make waves on the international music stage. At the 2026 Grammy Awards, Jacob received a nomination in the category Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals for his work on Keep an Eye on Summer. Although he didn’t take home a trophy this year, the nomination itself underscores the esteem in which his work is held.
Jacob’s track record at the Grammys is extraordinary: he has now won seven Grammy Awards across multiple years, including accolades for his arrangements and collaborations, and notably became the first British artist to win a Grammy for each of his first four albums.
Looking ahead, Jacob is set to headline the Cape Town International Jazz Festival – one of the largest jazz festivals in the world – on 27 March 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa. His performance is part of a stellar lineup of international and local artists celebrating a wide range of jazz and contemporary music styles.
Beyond his recording success, Jacob has been speaking publicly about the importance of music education. In a recent broadcast ahead of the launch of BBC Get Singing – a major initiative to encourage group singing among young people – he highlighted how singing together can combat social isolation and how early encouragement in school was pivotal in his own musical journey. He noted that he “wouldn’t be the person [he is] today” without that support.
We congratulate Jacob on his continued success and on using his voice – both musical and public – to champion the transformative power of music.
Alumna Catrin Finch Launches New Album
We are delighted to share that Purcell alumna and internationally renowned harpist Catrin Finch is launching a new album entitled Notes to Self. The album is a deeply personal project, reflecting on Catrin’s musical journey and experiences across her remarkable career.
The news follows Catrin’s recent visit to the School, where she led an inspiring harp masterclass with our students, generously sharing her insight, artistry and experience with the next generation of musicians.
Catrin will celebrate the launch of Notes to Self with a world premiere concert in Cardigan on 27 February, followed by performances and tour dates across the UK. Notes to Self has already begun to receive positive attention for its heartfelt melodies and introspective musical journey.
We wish her every success with the release.
Sir Simon Rattle to Return to the Philadelphia Orchestra
We are delighted to share that Sir Simon Rattle, our School President and one of the world’s most celebrated conductors, will return to the Philadelphia Orchestra in its 2026–27 season – marking his first appearances with the ensemble in around a decade.
Sir Simon will lead the Orchestra in a dynamic programme of orchestral highlights, including works by Ravel, Debussy and John Adams. The engagement sees one of the United States’ leading orchestras welcoming back a conductor of enormous international stature, whose guest appearances are comparatively rare due to his commitments as Chief Conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Conductor Emeritus of the London Symphony Orchestra.
The 2026–27 season also features a rich mix of repertoire and artists, with premieres, beloved classics and distinguished soloists joining Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin for an exciting programme of concerts.
Purcell Receives Gold Award for Mental Health and Wellbeing
We are delighted to share that The Purcell School has been awarded the Boarding School Mental Health Award at Gold level for 2025–28, recognising excellence in mental health and wellbeing provision within our boarding community.
Accredited by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools, the award follows a comprehensive assessment of the School’s leadership, culture, student support, staff wellbeing and engagement with parents and external services. Achieving Gold status reflects a whole-school commitment to creating an environment in which young musicians feel supported, valued and able to thrive.
The assessment particularly commended Purcell’s forward-thinking approach to mental health in a specialist, high-performance musical setting. Inspectors highlighted the School’s inclusive culture, the strength of professional development for staff and the embedded support structures in place for pupils.
Describing Purcell as “an example of best practice for specialist provision”, the report recognised the School as a role model for mental health support in boarding education.
This Gold Award reinforces our ongoing commitment to nurturing confident, healthy and resilient young musicians, alongside the highest standards of musical and academic excellence.
Lunchtime Concerts
An exciting Symphonic Dances for two pianos started our week off with Luca, Hiroatsu, Jerry, Stephanie, Anna and Tristan perfecting their alternating roles of either performer or page turner for this dynamic performance.
An instrumentally and musically satisfying performance on Tuesday of harp, oboe, violin and cor anglais solos was elegantly performed by Queenie, Natalie, Yakub and again Natalie.
Wednesday saw a professionally delivered jazz set led by Marcus and the other musicians in his quintet, Seth, Otto, Flo and Ethan all creating some wonderful solos within the numbers.
On Thursday we happily hosted our first ever double bass lunchtime concert with solos performed by Lucas, Summer and Prince rounded off with Colin Brumby‘s bass quartet, performers Lucas, Summer, Prince and Norah.
Well done to everyone.
Forthcoming Events
In addition to those highlighted events below, please visit our online Concerts and Events Guide here.
9 February – The Purcell School Symphony Orchestra at Cadogan Hall
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ
Tickets: Prices from £18 to £28 available here
The Purcell School Symphony Orchestra returns to Cadogan Hall with a romantic programme of big tunes and lush orchestration, inspired by the movies of the 1940s.
This year’s Purcell School Concerto Competition winner, Julia Majewska, is an exciting young violinist who brings passion and verve to the fireworks of the exquisite Korngold Violin Concerto.
Part of Howard Hanson’s Symphony from 1930 was John Williams’ template for E.T., and Doreen Carwithen was the first British woman to write consistently for Hollywood. Walton’s orchestral showpiece from the film The First of the Few completes the programme.
Doreen Carwithen Men of Sherwood Forest Overture
Korngold Violin Concerto
Walton Spitfire Prelude and Fugue
Howard Hanson Symphony No. 2, ‘The Romantic’
Julia Majewska violin
The Purcell School Symphony Orchestra
Paul Hoskins conductor
For further information and to purchase tickets, visit Cadogan Hall’s website.
10 February – Thwaites Violins Bass Room Sessions: An Evening with Purcell’s Jazz Dept., featuring Special Guest Simon Allen
Time: 6.00pm
Venue: Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ
Tickets: Tickets available here
Purcell jazz students perform in the third concert of the Bass Room Sessions at Thwaites Violin, joined by acclaimed saxophonist and the school’s Head of Jazz, Simon Allen.
The evening features two sets, each performed by a different ensemble:
6.00pm – Jazz Ensemble
7.30pm – Improvisation Group
Tickets may be purchased for individual sets, or join us for both performances for a memorable evening of live jazz.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
11 February – Seb de Krom Birthday Concert
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Tickets are £12 / £6 / £0 and can be purchased here
Join acclaimed drummer Seb de Krom for a special birthday concert celebrating his 55th year with an evening of top-class jazz. The concert features two sets of jazz music, performed alongside Seb’s close musical friends, coming together for a relaxed, joyful night of swing, groove, and great improvisation in the intimate setting of CP Hall at The Purcell School.
Duration: approx. 2.5 hours with an interval
Quintet 1
Sebastiaan de Krom Drums
Jacqui Hicks Vocals
Anthony Kerr Vibes
Sam Dunn Guitar
Pete Billington Organ
Quintet 2
Sebastiaan de Krom Drums
Martin Shaw Trumpet & Flugelhorn
Simon Allen Alto & Tenor Sax
John Turville Piano
Oli Hayhurst Bass
13 February – Lower School Concert
Time: 2.45pm
Venue: Recital Room, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required
25 February – Tomoki Park Piano Recital
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Tickets are £12/£6/£0 and can be purchased here
Purcell alumnus Tomoki Park returns to CP Hall for an evening of piano solo music, performing a carefully curated programme that showcases his technical mastery and expressive range. The evening features a fascinating dialogue between Baroque, contemporary, and Classical works, including UK and world premieres alongside historical masterpieces.
Programme to include:
J. S. Bach (1685–1750) Duet I in E minor, BWV 802
Dai Fujikura (b. 1977) Shadow Memory (2025) — UK premiere
J. S. Bach Duet II in F Major, BWV 803
Katherine Balch (b. 1990) Obstenmelodie (2023)
J. S. Bach Duet III in G Major, BWV 804
Michael Cohen-Weissert (b. 1993) Fear Mr. Devotion’s pre-reversed recycling machine (2024) — World premiere
J. S. Bach Duet IV in A Minor, BWV 805
Don’t miss this chance to hear Tomoki in this intimate recital.
04 March – Lunchtime Concert at St Mary le strand
Time: 1.00pm
Venue: Women’s Royal Navy Service Church, Strand, London WC2R 1ES
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required.
Take a break in your day and join Purcell’s talented pianists in, what will be, an hour of exquisite music-making. All are welcome.
04 March – Middle School Concertos Chamber Orchestra Concert
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required.
12 March – A History of The Purcell School Composition Department, Wigmore Hall
Time: 1.00pm
Venue: 36 Wigmore Street, London, W1U 2BP
Tickets: Book online via Wigmore Hall here or contact the Box Office on 020 7935 2141
The Purcell School Chamber Soloists celebrate the extraordinary legacy of The Purcell School’s Composition Department in an engaging programme of short works spanning multiple generations of composers associated with the school.
This special concert brings together music by some of the department’s most distinguished alumni and affiliated composers, including Oliver Knussen, Joseph Phibbs, Gareth Moorcraft, Kristina Arakelyan, Yiruma, Alexis Ffrench, Edward Longstaff and Alison Cox. Alongside these works will be new compositions by current Purcell School students Yoko Afi, Gerard Coutain and Kaelan Bryden-Johnson, selected through a competitive process adjudicated by the composer Mark Bowden.
The concert also marks the forthcoming retirement of Alison Cox, Head of Composition at The Purcell School, who steps down at the end of this academic year after 38 years of exceptional service. Alison has shaped and inspired generations of composers, leaving a profound and lasting legacy.
Alison Cox says: “I’m absolutely delighted that The Purcell School’s Composition Department is to be celebrated at Wigmore Hall. This concert presents composers from many generations in the school’s history, including those who were there even before I created the department in September 1994 . . . and I would love to see you all again at this concert.”
18 March – Session Bands and Songwriters Concert
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required.
24 March – The Music of Ronnie Scott & Tubby Hayes, Watford Palace Theatre
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Watford Palace Theatre, 20 Clarendon Rd, Watford WD17 1JZ
Tickets: Tickets are available from the Watford Palace Theatre box office here
Two giants of British jazz take centre stage in this vibrant celebration of the music of Ronnie Scott and Tubby Hayes — pioneers whose partnership and friendship helped define the sound of British jazz in the 1950s and 60s.
This special concert sees acclaimed saxophonist Simon Spillett join forces with The Purcell School Jazz Ensembles and Big Band, alongside guest trombonist Mark Nightingale, for an exhilarating programme drawn from the Tubby Hayes Big Band library and the iconic Jazz Couriers repertoire. Together, they bring this thrilling music to life with energy, authenticity and fresh perspective.
Special guest Simon Spillett is one of the UK’s most respected jazz saxophonists, celebrated for his commanding tenor sound and deep-rooted connection to the British jazz tradition. An award-winning musician and a fiercely swinging improviser, he has worked with an array of leading figures from the British jazz scene, including Sir John Dankworth, Stan Tracey, Alan Barnes, Bobby Wellins and the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra, and has performed at major venues and festivals across the UK and internationally. Alongside his performing career, Simon is an acclaimed jazz writer, historian and broadcaster, the author of the definitive biography of Tubby Hayes and a presenter on BBC Radio 3.
Mark Nightingale is an internationally acclaimed jazz trombonist, highly respected writer and one of the UK’s most in-demand studio musicians. He has performed with an extraordinary range of jazz and popular music artists, including John Dankworth and Cleo Laine, Georgie Fame, Ray Brown, Clark Terry, Charlie Watts, Steely Dan, Sting, Tom Jones and Frank Sinatra. A multiple winner of the British Jazz Awards, Mark is also widely recognised for his educational work, producing a substantial catalogue of study material and concert repertoire for musicians of all standards.
An evening of superb music-making, rich jazz heritage and outstanding young talent — not to be missed.
Tickets are available from the Watford Palace Theatre box office here.
24 March – Bartók and Stravinsky at Folkestone New Music
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: The Green Room, The Grand, The Leas, Folkestone, CT20 2LR
Tickets: Tickets are available here
Students of The Purcell School join Director of Music Paul Hoskins for a programme of 20th-century orchestral masterpieces at this year’s Folkestone New Music Festival.
Bartók Divertimento
Stravinsky Dumbarton Oaks
The programme will also include a new work by a current Purcell student, showcasing the next generation of musical talent.
Join us at this very special concert. Tickets are available to purchase via this link.
On Wednesday 4 February, we were delighted to welcome Jonathan Maloney (Horn) to come and give a masterclass for our horn students. Jonny, 4th Horn of the London Symphony Orchestra and Professor at the Royal College of Music, delivered a highly detailed class, beginning with covering some solo repertoire featuring Brad, Trevor, John, Theo and Jarvis who all played brilliantly! Jonny then led a Horn sectional ahead of our Symphony Orchestra concert at Cadogan Hall on Monday 9th February. Thank you for a brilliant class, Jonny!
