Glyn (Year 8, trumpet) was recently invited to play with HD9 Community Brass in a joint concert with the world famous Black Dyke Band, hosted at the Holmfirth Civic Theatre. He attended a rehearsal hosted by some of Black Dyke’s principal players, then performed in the concert which saw both bands perform individually before a rousing massed band finale. This also gave Glyn the chance to link up with teachers past and present, in the shape of Connor Lennon – Black Dyke’s soprano cornet and Glyn‘s first ever conductor at Barnsley Junior Band – and Purcell head of Wind, Brass and Percussion Mike Cavanagh!
Congratulations to Glyn on this inspiring achievement and memorable musical experience.
English Schools Orchestra
During October half term, Rhys (Year 13, trumpet) spent a memorable week in Surrey with the English Schools Orchestra, for his third and final year with the Orchestra. With a residential course hosted at Woldingham School followed by a concert performance at London’s Cadogan Hall, the week was intensive but extremely enjoyable. Rhys was delighted to be given the first trumpet seat for the season’s major work, Mahler Symphony 1, and was exceptionally proud when, during the concert, he was presented with this year’s John McIntosh Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Orchestra – a wonderful way to conclude his time with the Orchestra.
What a remarkable achievement. Hugely well done to Rhys on his outstanding dedication.
Youth Brass in Concert Championships
Recently, Rhys (Year 13, trumpet), Skye (Year 12, baritone horn) and Glyn (Year 8, trumpet) performed with Elland Silver Youth Band at the annual Youth Brass in Concert Championships, held at the Glasshouse International Centre for Music on Gateshead. Competing against a number of the UK’s leading youth brass bands, Elland performed a set entitled Awakening, telling the tale of a dystopian future in which music is banned and the arising of a group of young musicians who rebelled against this and returned live music to the world. Featuring a number of newly commissioned works and extensive full-stage choreography, the band were delighted to be awarded third prize overall. They were also presented with the Best Euphonium prize, and Skye received the Best Baritone prize.
Congratulations to Rhys, Skye and Glyn on their fantastic achievements and their outstanding contributions to the band’s success.
Purcell Pianist Performs with Hounslow Symphony Orchestra
We are delighted to congratulate Zev, a Year 12 pianist, on his outstanding recent performance of Beethoven’s First Piano Concerto with the Hounslow Symphony Orchestra. The concert, held on 15th November at Wathen Hall and conducted by Dorian Dimitrov, was a remarkable milestone for Zev and a wonderful showcase of his musicianship.
Zev studies at Purcell under Purcell under Tessa Nicholson.
Purcell’s Inaugural Carol Competition
We are thrilled to announce that Purcell’s Composition and Choral Departments have collaborated to run an exciting new competition – Purcell’s Carol Competition.
Of the competition, Head of Composition, Alison Cox, told us that “We have really enjoyed working together and were absolutely delighted to have so many excellent, carefully composed entries from students from Years 7-13!”
After careful consideration, Alison Cox and Purcell’s Choir Leader Dr. Chloe Allison selected the following students as the overall winners.
Senior Winners (Middle School and Sixth Form) Luca Year 11 – Unto Us a Child is Born Arthur Year 11 – The Winds of Winter
Junior Winners (Lower School) Aedan Year 7 – Polaris Sofia Year 7 – Christmas Coming
Their carols will be performed in the end-of-term concerts and also in Purcell’s 24-hour Giving Day concert on 11-12th December.
Here are some comments from the winning students:
Arthur: “I feel so honoured to have had my carol chosen as one of the winning pieces in the first ever Purcell Carol Competition! It was a fun piece to write and I’m looking forward to hearing it performed towards the end of term by the Purcell Choir”.
Luca: “I am very grateful and very excited to have been selected as one of the winners of the 1st ever Purcell School Christmas Carol competition, which has been a fascinating and rewarding process from start to finish.”
Sofia: “I am really happy to win the Lower School Carol Competition as it will be performed in the school by other students and it is also my first competition that I have won in this school!”
Aedan: “I’m delighted that I have won the first Christmas Carol Competition of The Purcell School. It means a lot to me and I cannot believe I have been ranked so highly! Thank you!”
Alumni Performance: Julian Bliss in Recital – Free Tickets for Under-25s
We are pleased to share that alumnus Julian Bliss will be giving an intimate recital on Saturday 22nd November at 7.30pm in Oxted, Surrey. He will be joined by acclaimed pianist Charles Owen for what promises to be an exceptional evening of music.
The event is presented by the Oxted and Limpsfield Music Society, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to bringing high-quality classical music to the local community. In support of young audiences, tickets for under-25s are completely free, offering a wonderful opportunity for students to experience world-class performance at no cost.
Those interested in attending can secure their tickets at www.olms.org.uk.
Concerts Review
University of Birmingham Barber Lunchtime Concert
A group of students enjoyed a wonderful opportunity to perform an all-French programme at the University of Birmingham’s Barber Lunchtime Concert on Friday 7th November. Shlomi opened the concert with Debussy’s Violin Sonata, performing alongside Ms Shah. This was followed by Stephanie’s rendition of Ondine from Ravel’s Gaspard de la nuit. The programme concluded with Shlomi, Ken and Tristan giving an engaging performance of Ravel’s Piano Trio. Held in the Elgar Concert Hall, the event attracted a large and appreciative audience, and the students delivered performances marked by poise, musicality and depth.
Benslow Afternoon Concert
On 10th November, a group of Purcell students performed a diverse programme of chamber music at the Benslow Music Trust. Pianists Asher and Teodora performed solo works ranging from Bach and Beethoven to Schumann, after which the string quartet — Julia, Sonya, Harry and Teresa — performed the first two movements of Mozart’s delightful String Quartet No. 19 in C major, K.575.
There was an especially warm response from the audience to Alina’s vocal performances, including Alyabyev’s The Nightingale, as well as to Mason’s performance of Brandt’s Concertpiece No. 2 for trumpet and piano, remarking how wonderful it was to hear rarer instruments — voice and trumpet — featured in the series. The concert came to a thrilling close with Chaeyu’s performance of Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasy, which left the audience in high spirits.
September Wigmore Hall Concert – Now Available on YouTube
The Purcell School Chamber Soloists’ concert at Wigmore Hall on 24th September is now available to watch on our YouTube channel here.
Keyboard Department Trip to the Royal Festival Hall
On 17th November, forty-one students from the Keyboard Department visited the Royal Festival Hall to hear Boris Giltburg perform two major piano concertos — Prokofiev’s No. 3 and Rachmaninov’s No. 2 — with the Philharmonia Orchestra. Giltburg, standing in for Evgeny Kissin who was unable to perform due to ill health, delivered performances that absolutely captivated our young pianists. As Stelios commented afterwards, it was “much better than good . . . super!”
For several students, it was their first visit to the Southbank Centre and the Royal Festival Hall. The sold-out concert had a vibrant, festive atmosphere, and both students and staff thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Lunchtime Concert
It was a busy week in the lunchtime concerts with many students involved.
On Monday Elizabeth, Willow, Lia, Marcus, Kiah and Oliver presented a mixed programme of music in preparation for their successful visit to Frith Manor Junior school on Tuesday.
In Tuesday’s lunchtime concert we were delighted to be brought down into the lower registers with double bass and trombone solos from Lucas and Skye, followed by Khanui on violin.
In the CP Hall on Wednesday we were treated to compositions by both Lucas, Kaelan and Mac. Well done to performers Luca, Sonya, Luca, Victor, Kaelan, Matias, Yulin, Shlomi, Mac and all those in the choir.
The week was completed with much enjoyed performances on horn and violin by Trevor and Natalie.
Well done to everyone who performed this week.
Forthcoming Events
In addition to those highlighted events below, please visit our online Concerts and Events Guide here.
26th November – Session Bands and Songwriters Concert
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required
Students from the Commercial and Popular Music Department present an evening of exciting original music mixed with soulful covers, from the 1960’s through to today’s hit songs. Tonight we feature songs from our talented Songwriters, followed by sets from the dynamic Session Bands.
27th November – An Evening at Malverleys
Time: 6.00pm
Venue: Malverleys Farm & Dining, East Woodhay
Tickets: Ticket information is available here
An exclusive evening of inspiring food and remarkable music featuring a canape reception, 3-course meal and intimate performance by the Purcell students.
Don’t miss the chance to purchase your ticket for this special event.
3rd December – Lunchtime Concert at St Mary le strand
Time: 1.00pm
Venue: St Mary le Strand, Women’s Royal Navy Service Church, St James’s
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required.
Purcell’s talented pianists perform a lunchtime concert at St Mary le Strand.
Take a break in your day and join us for an hour of exquisite music-making.
Free entry – all are welcome.
3rd December – An Evening of Jazz, with special guest Anthony Kerr (Vibraphone)
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required.
The Jazz Department presents an evening of Jazz, featuring the Purcell Jazz Ensembles and Big Band, who will be joined by special guest star Anthony Kerr. A multiple BBC Jazz Award winner, Anthony is known as one of the UK’s finest Jazz Vibraphone players. He has performed and recorded internationally with Georgie Fame, Charlie Watts, BBC Big Band, Robbie Williams, Joe Lovano, Jacqui Dankworth and Courtney Pine. Tonight features student-led arrangements of well known Jazz Standards, showcasing their improvisation and ensemble interaction.
8th December – St Paul’s Evensong
Time: 5.00pm
Venue: St. Paul’s Cathedral, St. Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required.
Open Morning
Sunday 1 February 2026, 10.00am to 1.00pm.
Discover life at The Purcell School at our forthcoming Open Morning.
Tour our campus and facilities
Meet the Instrumental Heads of Department and key members of our school community
Experience outstanding music-making in a vibrant and nurturing environment
Advance booking is essential — please register here.
During October half term, Rhys (Year 13, trumpet) spent a memorable week in Surrey with the English Schools Orchestra, for his third and final year with the Orchestra. With a residential course hosted at Woldingham School followed by a concert performance at London’s Cadogan Hall, the week was intensive but extremely enjoyable. Rhys was delighted to be given the first trumpet seat for the season’s major work, Mahler Symphony 1, and was exceptionally proud when, during the concert, he was presented with this year’s John McIntosh Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Orchestra – a wonderful way to conclude his time with the Orchestra.
Recently, Rhys (Year 13, trumpet), Skye (Year 12, baritone horn) and Glyn (Year 8, trumpet) performed with Elland Silver Youth Band at the annual Youth Brass in Concert Championships, held at the Glasshouse International Centre for Music on Gateshead. Competing against a number of the UK’s leading youth brass bands, Elland performed a set entitled Awakening, telling the tale of a dystopian future in which music is banned and the arising of a group of young musicians who rebelled against this and returned live music to the world. Featuring a number of newly commissioned works and extensive full-stage choreography, the band were delighted to be awarded third prize overall. They were also presented with the Best Euphonium prize, and Skye received the Best Baritone prize. 
We are delighted to congratulate Zev, a Year 12 pianist, on his outstanding recent performance of Beethoven’s First Piano Concerto with the Hounslow Symphony Orchestra. The concert, held on 15th November at Wathen Hall and conducted by Dorian Dimitrov, was a remarkable milestone for Zev and a wonderful showcase of his musicianship.
University of Birmingham Barber Lunchtime Concert
Benslow Afternoon Concert
Keyboard Department Trip to the Royal Festival Hall
