Weekly Highlights 3rd July 2026

Posted: 3rd July 2026

Purcell Violinist to Perform at Carnegie Hall

Congratulations to Von (Year 12, violin), who has been awarded First Prize in the Senior Category of the Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition.

As part of her award, Von has been invited to perform the third movement of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major at the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York this December.

This is a remarkable achievement and a wonderful opportunity to perform on one of the world’s most celebrated stages. Bravo, Von!

Purcell Violinist Takes Part in International Violin Masterclass

Kutay (Year 11, violin) was recently selected to participate in an exclusive violin masterclass led by internationally acclaimed violinist Kerson Leong.

Held over two days in Rome, the masterclass brought together a select group of talented young violinists from around the world. Kutay received individual coaching from Kerson Leong, gaining valuable musical insight and performance experience in an inspiring international setting.

Opportunities of this calibre are invaluable for developing young musicians and we are delighted that Kutay was selected to take part.

IMPULSE Outreach Visits Norfolk

We are delighted to share a photograph of members of our IMPULSE Outreach team during their recent visit to Norfolk, which took place from 18-20 June.

Through workshops and performances, the IMPULSE programme continues to inspire young musicians beyond the School, giving Purcell students valuable opportunities to share their skills while encouraging the next generation of performers. We are proud of the positive impact the group continues to make through its outreach work.

Alumni News: Kerem Hasan Appointed General Music Director

Congratulations to alumnus Kerem Hasan, who has been appointed General Music Director of the Badisches Staatstheater in Karlsruhe, Germany, beginning with the 2027-28 season.

In announcing the appointment, the theatre praised Kerem‘s artistic vision, creativity and inspirational musicianship, expressing confidence that he will lead the Badische Staatskapelle into an exciting new chapter while building on its distinguished traditions.

This prestigious appointment is a fitting recognition of Kerem‘s outstanding career and we wish him every success in this exciting new role.

Alumni News: Alexis Ffrench Announces London Palladium Debut

Alumnus Alexis Ffrench has announced his biggest headline concert to date, with a performance at the London Palladium on 27 April 2027.

The concert will celebrate the release of Alexis‘s forthcoming album, 24, and will feature music from across his career, performed with a full string orchestra.

This landmark performance represents another exciting milestone in Alexis‘s remarkable career and we look forward to seeing him take to the stage at one of London’s most iconic venues.

Pre-sale tickets are on sale here.

Concert Review

PizzaExpress Live, Chelsea, 23rd June
On Tuesday 23rd June, 15 students set off in the trusty minibus to perform with the legendary vocalist Claire Martin at PizzaExpress Live, the elegant live music venue in the basement of the historic Pheasantry on Chelsea’s King’s Road.

The audience flooded in and all the tables were full, ready for the show to start at 8pm. Our students delivered two fantastic sets with Claire, who frequently commented on their professionalism as did many of the audience. The students were a credit to themselves and to the School, mastering the many arrangements and solos they had to perform.

Well done to you all: Ivan, Ezio, Marcus, Gil, Ivan, Marija, Oliver, Flo, Mahla, Seth, Ethan, Julianna, Miles, Otto, Paawan, Yoel and Yulin.

After the show, we then had a three hour conundrum with a minibus that wouldn’t start, the students were once again stalwart and dependable . . . but that’s another story . . . !

Lunchtime Concerts W/B 22nd June
This week we were treated to a Wind, Brass and Percussion Chamber Music Week comprising many groups showcasing their repertoire.

On Monday, Ostap, Lilly, Elsa and Rowena – Purcell’s Bassoon Quartet – performed works by Scott Joplin and George Gershwin, while the Flute Trio of Rose, Kiah and Lia gave us a piece by Gary Schocker. The concert culminated in the Brass ensemble of Rhys, Mason, Rowena, Glyn, Brad, Trevor, John, Theo, Jarvis, Skye, Gil, Willow, Tristan and Emil with performances of Zequinhawith (trumpet soloist: Mason) and Wagner.

Tuesday saw our Trumpet Quartet – Rhys, Mason, Rowena, Glyn and Seth – delight with pieces by Glinka and Kurt Sturzenegger, the Horn Quartet of Brad, Trevor, John, Theo and Jarvis take on Mozart, and the Saxophone/Piano Trio of Yulin, April and Teodora close the concert with John Carmichael and Kris A. Lehman.

Wednesday continued the stellar performances with the Symphonic Wind Orchestra’s performances of works by Shostakovich, Oskar Bohme (trumpet soloist: Mason, the Middle School Concerto Competition Prizewinner) and Alfred Reed.

The Symphonic Wind Orchestra personnel includes: Kiah, Rose and Lia (flutes), Ayman, Samsara, Matilda and Alexa (clarinets), Natalie and Emily (oboes), Ostap, Lilly and Elsa (bassoons), Yulin, April, Julianna, Dom and David (saxophones), Rhys, Mason, Rowena, Glyn, Seth and Ivan (trumpets), Brad, Trevor, John, Theo and Jarvis (horns), Hannah, Emil, Ivan, Oliver and Anthony (percussion), Skye, Gil and Willow (trombones), Saule (harp), Tristan (tuba) and Prince (double bass).

Last, but by no means least, on Thursday the Wind Quintet of Rose, Emily, Ayman, Lilly and Brad performed a piece by Franz Danzi, followed by the Clarinet Quintet comprised of Ayman, Samsara, Yulin, April and Matilda with a work by Pierre Max Dubois, and completed by Natalie, Emily and James Turnbull‘s Oboe Trio with a piece from James MacMillan.

Well done to everyone who performed in the lunchtime concerts.

Forthcoming Events

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

5 July – Last Night of the Proms at St Jude’s with Helen Charleston
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: St Jude’s, Central Square, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London NW11 7AH
Tickets: Tickets are from £40 and available from the Proms at St Jude’s website

The Purcell School Symphony Orchestra joins forces with the dazzling mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston for the Last Night of Proms at St Jude’s.

Traditionally a sold-out occasion, the Last Night promises all the excitement and spectacle of a classic prom celebration. This year’s programme includes:

Walton Spitfire Prelude and Fugue
Elgar Sea Pictures
Prokofiev Symphony No. 1 “Classical”
Mozart Così fan tutte: “Ah scostati! . . . Smanie implacabili”

Conducted by Paul Hoskins, Director of Music at The Purcell School.

7 July – The Purcell School in concert with Vanessa Haynes at PizzaExpress Live (Holborn
Time: Doors 6.30pm | Show 8.00pm
Venue: PizzaExpress 99 high Holborn, London WC1V 9LF
Tickets: Tickets are from £20 and available from the PizzaExpress Live website

The Purcell School Session Bands team up with acclaimed UK vocalist Vanessa Haynes for a special concert of Soul classics and original songs. Cutting her teeth as backing vocalist for artists such as Van Morrison and Chaka Khan, Haynes became front woman of legendary jazz funk outfit, Incognito, in 2008, touring with the band for over 14 years.

8 July – Sumer is Icumen In – Celebrating Alison Cox
Time: 6.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. Please click here to book.

Join us for a panel discussion about The Purcell School over the years. Alison Cox (Head of Composition: 1988-Present), Panos Fellas (former Head of Science and Housemaster: 1997-2024) and Ed Longstaff (Academic Music & Choir: 1993-2024) will walk us through the history of the School, chaired by Paul Bambrough, Principal.

During the evening, the panel will discuss highlights from their vast careers totalling almost 100 years at the School and share insights about the institution in its various forms.

Expect to hear tales of concerts, boarding anecdotes, memorable students and much more as these stalwarts of The Purcell School take us on a journey through the Purcell years!

Following the panel discussion, join us for a very special concert. 38 Composition alumni and staff have each written a one or two minute piece based on ‘Sumer is icumen in’ and will be performed by Purcell students. This is the oldest known musical composition featuring six-part polyphony. The manuscript in which it is preserved was copied between 1261 and 1264.

This will be Alison Cox‘s final Composition Concert before her retirement at the end of this academic year. Alison will retire after 38 years at the School, including 32 years running the Composition Department that she created in 1994.

“Retiring from my position as Head of Composition at The Purcell School has been an immensely difficult and almost heartbreaking decision for me to make, because, when I arrived at the school 38 years ago as a 32-year-old music teacher, it was impossible to imagine the huge impact it would have upon the rest of my career” Alison Cox.

9 July – Lichfield Festival Lunchtime Concert
Time: 12.00pm
Venue: St Michael’s Church, 48 Church Street, Boley Park
Tickets: £16 and available to purchase from the festival’s website.

The Purcell School students open the Lichfield Festival 2026, with pieces for solo piano, string quartet and piano quintet. Part of our America250 season, this programme will include works by Barber, Prokofiev and extracts from Dvorak’s American Quartet.

Programme:
Prokofiev Sarcasms, Op. 17
Barber Waltz from Souvenirs, Op. 28
Dvorak Excerpts from String Quintet No. 2 in A major, Op. 81 ‘American’