English

Weekly Highlights 7th February 2025

 

Purcell Pianists Success at the Oxford Music Festival

Congratulations to Saule (piano, Year 10) and Tracy (piano, Lower Sixth), who study at Purcell under Morta Grigaliunaite, on their outstanding achievements at the Oxford Music Festival on 1st February. Both students won 1st prizes in their respective categories, showcasing their exceptional musical talent.

In addition to securing 1st prize and a diploma for outstanding performance, Saule has also been invited to perform at the festival’s Gala Concert on 15th February – a fantastic honour!

Well done to both students on these well-deserved successes!

Boarding Students Enjoy Watford FC Matchday Experience

As part of the co-curricular programme, seven boarding students enjoyed an exciting trip to Watford FC on Saturday 1st February. A particularly memorable moment came before kickoff when four students spotted their favorite player, ‘King Ken’ (Ken Sema), taking a lap around the field as he bid farewell to the club. When he passed their section, they eagerly asked for a photo – and he happily obliged!

Despite the match result, it was a fantastic experience and one that the students will surely remember for a long time.

Chris Richards Clarinet Masterclass

On Monday 3rd February, we were delighted to welcome Chris Richards, Principal Clarinet of the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) and Professor at the Royal Academy of Music, to deliver a masterclass for our clarinettists. Chris worked with Samsara (Year 10), Marina (Year 12) and the Clarinet Ensemble in the Liszt Room, and also coached Tom and Birce (Year 13) on Poulenc’s Sonata for Two Clarinets ahead of their lunchtime concert performance in Leeds on 5th February.

Chris then delivered an evening public masterclass in the CP Hall where he worked with Tom and Birce as soloists before finishing the night with the Clarinet Ensemble working on Farkas’ Early Hungarian Dances.

All at Purcell would like to thank Chris for sharing his expertise in two highly inspirational classes!

Concerts Review

Leeds Chamber Music Concert Series
On Wednesday 5th February, students Suanoi, Birce, Thomas, Rebecca, Isabella, Dianna, Ella and Rina travelled to Leeds Conservatoire to perform a recital as part of the Leeds Chamber Music Concert series.

Students performed the below programme to a full and extremely appreciative audience.

Debussy Syrinx (for solo flute)
Debussy Danses Sacree et Profane (for harp and string quartet)
Lili Boulanger Nocturne (for flute and piano)
Poulenc Sonata for Two Clarinets
Ravel Jeux d’eau (arr. for solo harp)
Ravel Introduction and Allegro (or flute, clarinet, harp and string quartet)

Lunchtime Concerts

This week we had a huge variety of musical performances!

On Monday we were treated to a full concert given by the thirteen players in the cello ensemble, directed by Dr Jenkinson. Firstly a piece written by Matias in Year 12, followed by Piazzolla’s Adios Nonino and finished with Gordon Jacob’s Cello Octet. Well done to Amelie, Ella, Filip, Jack, Jessie, Ken, Matias, Siyue, Teresa, Yeju and Yoko.

Tuesday was an atmospheric and virtuosic performance (especially for the harp!) of Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro and Debussy’s Danses sacrée et profane. These performers then took these pieces up to Leeds the next day to perform at the Leeds Conservatoire. Well done Isabella, Rebecca, Dianna, Ella, Suanoi, Birce and Aaron.

Wednesday’s concert was a fun and entertaining children’s concert created by our Year 12 composers, including requested audience participation which was very much enjoyed. Thank you to Kaelan, Larissa, Gerard, Dima, Tim and Matias for your pieces.

On Friday Sofia created the appropriate mood for the concert by performing the first movement of the Lalo Symphony Espagnole, which was followed by a wonderful set of traditional songs and two tunes arranged and performed by the multi-instrumental folk group; of whistle, harp, voice, cello, bass, piano and darabuka. Well done to Ramona, Selin, Natty and Albi for your performance.

Celebrating Chinese New Year in Style

On Wednesday 29th January, our Dining Hall was transformed in celebration of Chinese New Year, with a themed service featuring delicious traditional dishes. Thanks to our fantastic catering team, students and staff enjoyed a flavour-filled menu, embracing the spirit of the Lunar New Year.

Take a look at some of the highlights from the celebration below!

A Feast for Open Morning

Visitors to our Open Morning on Sunday 2nd February were not only treated to a wonderful morning of all things ‘Purcell’ but also to a delicious selection of food, expertly prepared by our catering team. From beautifully presented sweet treats to hearty savoury bites, the spread was a fantastic showcase of the team’s skill and creativity. A huge thank you to everyone involved in making the morning such a success!

A Bush Tucker Challenge at Break!

Students put their taste buds (and bravery!) to the test during a Bush Tucker Trial-style takeover of the Dining Hall. With treats disguised as creepy crawlies and other unusual surprises, this break-time challenge was both delicious and daring! A big thank you to our catering team for making this a fun and unforgettable experience.

Forthcoming Events

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


Saturday 8 February – Berkhamsted Jazz Club: The Purcell School Jazz Ensemble with Derek Nash and Martin Shaw
Time: 8pm
Venue: Berkhamsted Jazz Club, The Civic Centre, High Street, Berkhamsted HP4 3HD
Tickets: £20 (concs. £6-14) and available to purchase here.

As part of the BJazz initiative to Showcase Emerging British Talent, The Purcell School’s Jazz Ensemble will present a high energy mixture of well-known jazz standards, as well as Derek Nash’s own compositions, in a huge variety of styles. The band will be led by Martin Shaw to a programme produced by Simon Allen, both luminaries of Jazz in Britain.

Warming up the stage will be alumnus Louis Richardson’s Fusion Trio, featuring current Purcell students Natty and Sam (Year 13).

Programme
6:45pm: Early doors
7:10pm: Louis Richardson Fusion Trio
8:00pm: The Purcell School Jazz Ensemble led by Martin Shaw (trumpet), with special guest star Derek Nash (saxophone)

For more information, please visit the Berkhamsted Jazz Club’s website.

Monday 10 February – Cadogan Hall: Ravel, Beethoven and Dvořák
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London
Tickets: Prices from £20 to £30, available here

Marking the year of Ravel’s 150th anniversary, the programme opens with his Mother Goose Suite. The piece, originally written as a five-movement piano duet in 1910, was orchestrated by Ravel in 1911.

Alumnus Herman Cerisha returns to perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, and Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony completes the programme.

Wednesday 12 February – New Sounds 25 Concert
Time: 7pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission, no booking required

Join us for an exciting and varied celebration of new music written by young composers from all age groups throughout the Purcell.


Sunday 16th February – Bechstein Hall Young Artist Series
Time: 10.30am
Venue: Bechstein Hall, 22 Wigmore Street, London W1U 2RH
Tickets: Available from £5 here

Begin your Sunday morning with a delightful 45 minute performance by two Purcell students.

Programme:
Harp
Henriette Renié Legende
E.A. Walter-Kühne Fantasy on Themes from Eugene Onegin
Paul Patterson Tarantula, from Spiders

Piano
Scriabin Sonata No.5
Chopin Scherzo No.3

Tickets include bottomless coffee, and freshly baked pastries will be available to purchase.


Wednesday 26 February – Wind, Brass and Percussion Showcase Concert
Time: 7pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission, with donations to the School kindly received