Aistė Dvarionaitė Serves on International Competition Jury
We are delighted to share the recent achievement of our violin teacher, Aistė Dvarionaitė, who was invited to serve as a jury member at the International Leoš Janáček Violin Competition. This prestigious role reflects her outstanding expertise and international reputation as a musician.
You can read more about her involvement on her website: Aistė Dvarionaitė – The Final of Leoš Janáček International Competition.
Purcell Alumni Receive LSO Conservatoire Scholarships
We are delighted to share the news that two of our alumni, pianist Kasparas Mikužis and violinist Olwen Miles, now studying at the Royal Academy of Music, have been awarded the 2025/26 LSO Conservatoire Scholarship.
This prestigious programme, run by the London Symphony Orchestra, supports outstanding postgraduate musicians from top conservatoires around the world. Scholars receive up to £15,000 towards their studies, as well as mentorship from LSO musicians and valuable performance opportunities.
Kasparas reflected on his award: “I feel extremely grateful to have been selected as one of the LSO Conservatoire Scholars. This support will allow me to dedicate myself fully to music-making. To be in a position where my only limits are time and self-motivation is truly inspiring, and I am very excited about the opportunities ahead.”
We are hugely proud of Kasparas and Olwen for this remarkable achievement and wish them every success as they continue their musical journeys.
Alumna Appointed Hallé Orchestra Cello Section Leader
We are delighted to share that alumna Rachel Helleur-Simcock has been appointed Section Leader, Cello with the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester for the 2025/26 season.
Rachel brings with her a wealth of international experience, having spent 16 years with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and The 12 Cellists of the Berlin Philharmonic. She has also served as principal cellist of the Deutsche Oper Berlin and guest-led the cello sections of leading orchestras including the Bavarian Radio Symphony, the Philharmonia and the London Philharmonic.
Speaking about her appointment, she said: “It’s such an honour to be appointed the new section leader, cello, of this wonderful orchestra, and an extra thrill to be able to perform this seminal concerto.”
We warmly congratulate Rachel on this outstanding achievement.
Concerts Review
The Purcell School Chamber Soloists at Wigmore Hall – 24 September 2025
The Purcell School Chamber Soloists made a return to Wigmore Hall on 24th September, presenting an all-Hungarian programme that featured works by Haydn, Liszt, Constantinescu, Bartók and György Kurtág.
The concert opened with an intensely emotional performance of the slow movement from Haydn’s String Quartet Op. 54, followed by a spirited rendition of the Minuet and Trio, performed by Tristan, Madeleine, Harry and Ken. The quartet – with Madeleine now on the first violin – then performed Bartók’s String Quartet No. 3 with a commanding maturity and interpretive skill, capturing the energy and complexity of the piece.
Luca then took to the stage for two solo piano works. His virtuosic performance of Liszt’s renowned Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 was followed by Constantinescu’s Joc Dobrogean, a wildly engaging piece infused with Romanian folk music with Byzantine chant.
Shlomi continued with a poised and captivating performance of selections from Kurtág’s Signs, Games and Messages for solo violin. The concert concluded with Bartók’s Rhapsody No. 2 for violin and piano, delivered with exceptional flair and dynamism by Shlomi and Stephanie. Their performance was both technically assured and emotionally resonant, leaving the audience in awe throughout.
For many of the students, this concert marked their debut at the prestigious Wigmore Hall. Congratulations to all performers on a triumphant and memorable concert.
On 26th September, four students — Kate Y, Kate P, Shlomi and Anna — took to the stage at Sarratt Village Hall to perform at the annual Sarratt Festival of Music.
