Weekly Highlights 1st April 2026

Senior Concerto Competition Winners

The annual Senior Concerto Competition Grand Final took place on Sunday 22 March, featuring six exceptional finalists, each performing a full concerto. As ever, the evening was a remarkable showcase of highly accomplished musicianship and technical brilliance.

The adjudicators faced the near-impossible task of selecting the winners, a sentiment reflected in their closing remarks. The programme was impressively wide-ranging, both in instrumentation and repertoire, and included works by Alexander Voormolen, Sergey Prokofiev, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Nino Rota, Dmitri Shostakovich and York Bowen.

Performances included Voormolen’s Concerto for Two Oboes and Orchestra (Natalie and Emily), Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor (Pijus), Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto (Shlomi), Rota’s Divertimento Concertante for Double Bass and Orchestra (Prince), Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 107 (Yoko), and Bowen’s Concerto for Horn and Strings, Op. 150 (Trevor).

Warmest congratulations go to Shlomi and Yoko, this year’s winners. They will perform Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto and Shostakovich’s First Cello Concerto respectively with The Purcell School Symphony Orchestra during the 2026–27 season. Further details about performance dates will be announced on the school website in due course.

All the performers are to be commended for their dedication, artistry, and mastery. Over the course of the four-hour concert, the audience was thoroughly captivated by every performance.

A heartfelt thank-you goes to the adjudicators, Tunde Jegede and George Vass, for their insight and support. Special thanks are also due to Debbie Shah and Daniel Swain, whose outstanding accompaniment supported the students throughout all rounds—amounting to about 40 concertos mastered over the course of the competition.
 

Kyle Horch Masterclass

On Wednesday 25 March, we were delighted to welcome renowned saxophonist, Kyle Horch, to The Purcell School. Kyle, a Professor at the Royal College of Music, delivered an insightful and inspirational class to our saxophonists Yulin, April, Dom, David, Rose and Sonya. Kyle then also worked with our saxophone and piano trio, featuring Yulin, April and Teodora, working on John Carmichael’s Thredbo Suite.

Congratulations to all students and Debbie Shah for their fantastic playing, and to Kyle for delivering such a wonderful class.

Update: Dr Sarah Upjohn

Following last week’s feature, we are delighted to share further news from Dr Sarah Upjohn, Purcell’s Physiotherapist.

Sarah has now passed her ABRSM Grade 2 Double Bass with Distinction, an excellent achievement. The exam formed part of her sponsored initiative in support of Orchestras for All, and she has now raised an impressive £465 for the charity.

Congratulations to Sarah on both her musical success and her continued efforts to support such an important cause.
 

Concert Review

Purcell Play The Music of Ronnie Scott and Tubby Hayes
The Purcell School Jazz Department took to the stage at Watford Palace Theatre on 24 March, delivering a spirited and compelling celebration of two towering figures of British jazz in ‘The Music of Ronnie Scott and Tubby Hayes’. The concert was led by distinguished British tenor saxophonist Simon Spillett, who had worked closely with the students in the weeks leading up to the performance.

The line-up featured the Purcell Improv Group, Jazz Ensemble, Lower/Middle School Improv Group and the Big Band, with Spillett directing from the tenor sax. He was joined by guest artists Mark Nightingale on trombone and George Hogg on trumpet, alongside the school’s Head of Jazz, Simon Allen, on saxophone.

The programme paid tribute to the music of Tubby Hayes and his band, whose work helped define the British jazz scene of the 1950s and 60s. Spillett enriched the performance with a series of engaging and insightful anecdotes, bringing historical context to the music and deepening the audience’s connection to it. The result was an atmosphere that felt both educational and electric, with frequent laughter and enthusiastic applause throughout the evening.

Spillett’s tenor playing was, as expected, commanding – rich in tone, expressive in phrasing, and propelled by an infectious rhythmic drive. His solos were not only technically impressive but also highly narrative, capturing the spirit of Hayes while maintaining a distinctive personal voice.

Nightingale and Hogg added further brilliance to the Big Band, contributing virtuosity and stylistic flair. For the Purcell students, the opportunity to perform alongside such accomplished musicians was invaluable, offering a rare and inspiring glimpse into professional-level artistry. It is precisely this kind of experience that underscores the department’s reputation as a vital training ground for emerging talent.

Overall, the concert succeeded not only as a tribute to two jazz greats but also as a celebration of the enduring vitality of the British jazz tradition. Balancing heritage with youthful energy, it left a strong impression that this music remains in very capable hands.
 
Folkestone New Music Concert
On 25 March, The Purcell School Chamber Orchestra travelled to Folkestone to perform in the beautiful and historic venue “The Grand,” formerly a hotel and now a residential building. The concert was presented by Folkestone New Music (Artistic Director: John Woorich), which regularly hosts performances in The Green Room at The Grand. Esteemed artists have appeared there, including Thomas Adès and the Sacconi Quartet, making this invitation a true privilege for the Purcell students.

As we approached Folkestone, our coach drove through a dramatic spell of hail, but the sun soon emerged, allowing students to enjoy a relaxing — if somewhat chilly — stroll along the beach before the performance.

The programme featured a world premiere Partita Breva by Year 13 student Gerard, who delivered a pre-performance talk and skilfully led the chamber orchestra from the podium.

Congratulations to The Purcell School Chamber Orchestra, Paul Hoskins and Gerard on a memorable and successful event, and a massive thank you to the team at Folkestone New Music.
 

Session Bands Concert

On Wednesday night in the CP Hall, we were treated to four fantastic sets from our Pop and Commercial Department in the Session Bands Concert. Pop, funk and rock covers with an additional original by Clara were all delivered with true style and energy.

Albert, Gianntino, Yoel, Jamie, Beulah, Willow and Lia performed Bust Your Windows – Jazmine Sullivan, Say my name – Destiny’s Child, Gravity / If I ain’t got you – John Mayer / Alicia Keys and Finesse – Bruno Mars.

Purcell’s Rock band – Larissa, Ezio, William, Woody, Jonas, Gil and Yoel – performed Brazen (weep) – Skunk Anansie, Deeply – Boa, Teach me to sight read – Clara and Hey Joe – Jimi Hendrix.

Gabriel, Larissa, William, Flo and Jonas performed Come Together – The Beatles, You Rock My World – Michael Jackson, Ain’t No Way – Etta James, Bittersweet – Meshell Ndegeocello and Evil Vibrations – The Rebirth.

Willow, Lia, Julianna, Dom, Woody, Clara, Gil and Oliver performed Get lucky – Daft Punk, Damn your eyes – Etta James, I feel the earth move – Carole King and Toxic – Britney Spears. Well done to everyone for a great night.

We are delighted to be able to share a selection of photographs from the Session Bands Concert, once again beautifully captured by Ethan (Year 12).

His images vividly reflect the energy and atmosphere of the evening, offering a wonderful visual record of the performances and the collaborative spirit of the event.

Lunchtime Concerts
W/C 16 March
We have had a great variety of music, instruments and performances this week.

In the Recital Room on Monday, Saule, Elsa and Jakub gave excellent performances of Beethoven, Grovlez and Kreutzer.

In the CP Hall on Tuesday, we enjoyed Ronald Binge’s saxophone concerto played by Yulin and two inspiring and atmospheric quartets composed by Farah and Sofia perfomed by Farah, Natalie, Kutay and Siyue.

Kaelan, Gerard, Tim, Nemunis, Natalie, Prince, Rebecca, Skye, Trevor, Tristan and Emily aka ‘The Creative Ensemble’ gave an innovative and thought provoking performance on Wednesday and on Thursday over half the school sang in the choirs concert led by Dr Allison. The Lower School performed Goodnight Sweetheart and You Raise Me Up, the Sixth Form Consort performed Christopher Tye Give Almes of thy Goods, Monteverdi O Mirtillo and Morley My Bonny Lass, and Sixth Form Choir performed Elgar As Torrents in Summer, Patrick Hadley My Beloved Spake and Bruckner Christus Factus Est.

Well done to everyone who performed this week.
 
W/C: 23 March
On Monday, Dragonetti and Vivaldi double bass solos performed by Lucas and Flo were followed by Elizabeth performing Bach and Prokoviev piano pieces.

Tuesday brought us Amy Beach, Mozart and Debussy performed by Reeka, Sofia and Yoko, and on Wednesday Beulah sung an inspiring original set with her band; Albert, Jonas, Jamie and Mr Billington.

Well done to everyone who performed in the lunchtime concerts this week, and this term.
 

Forthcoming Events

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

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8 May – The Purcell School Pianists at Sutton House
Time: 1.00pm
Venue: Sutton House, Chatham
Tickets: Tickets are available here

18 young pianists from The Purcell School for Young Musicians Keyboard Department take on the magnificent challenge of performing György Ligeti’s complete cycle of 18 études for solo piano!

This concert is part of the Stoke Newington Contemporary Music Festival. Please visit their website for further information and to purchase tickets.

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11 May – Afternoon Concert at Benslow Music
Time: 3.00pm
Venue: Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin SG4 9RB
Tickets: Tickets are £10 and available here

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12 May and 9 June – Lunchtime Concert at St James’s Church Sussex Gardens
Time: 1.00pm
Venue: St James’s Church, Sussex Gardens, Hyde Park
Tickets: Admission is free of charge. No booking required.

Purcell pianists perform two dates in the popular concert series at St James’s Church Sussex Gardens.

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16 June – St Bride’s Lunchtime Concert
Time: 1.15pm
Venue: St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, London
Tickets: Admission is free of charge. No booking required.

Purcell students perform at a lunchtime concert at St Bride’s Church, in the heart of London.

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23 June – Claire Martin with The Purcell School at PizzaExpress Live (Chelsea)
Time: Doors 6.30pm | Show 8.00pm
Venue: Pizza Express, The Pheasantry, 152 King’s Rd, London SW3 4NX, UK
Tickets: Tickets are £20 and available from PizzaExpress Live

Join us for a special evening of world-class jazz as acclaimed vocalist Claire Martin performs alongside the exceptional young musicians of The Purcell School at PizzaExpress Live in Chelsea.

Under the direction of saxophonist and Head of Jazz Simon Allen, and supported by a faculty of leading jazz performers and educators, students at The Purcell School refine their craft to an outstanding level. Many go on to study at top conservatoires and build successful careers as professional musicians.

An eight-time British Jazz Award winner, Claire Martin has been a defining voice in UK jazz for over three decades. She began her career at just 19 and soon fulfilled a lifelong ambition to perform at the legendary Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho. Since signing with Linn Records in 1990, Claire has released 18 acclaimed albums and collaborated with some of the most celebrated names in jazz, including Martin Taylor, John Martyn, Stéphane Grappelli, Kenny Barron, Sir Richard Rodney Bennett and Jim Mullen.

Claire has toured extensively around the world with her trio and has appeared as a featured soloist with leading orchestras such as the Hallé, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, BBC Big Band and BBC Concert Orchestra. She also co-presented BBC Radio 3’s flagship programme Jazz Line-Up for 17 years.

For this one-night-only performance, Claire joins forces with The Purcell School’s outstanding jazz musicians to present a specially curated programme celebrating highlights from her remarkable career.

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26 June – St James’s Piccadilly Concert
Time: 1.00pm
Venue: St James’s Piccadilly, 197 Piccadilly, St James
Tickets: Admission is free of charge. No booking required.

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29 June – Lunchtime Concert at Proms at St Jude’s
Time: 1.00pm
Venue: St James’s Piccadilly, 197 Piccadilly, St James
Tickets: Admission is free of charge. No booking required.