Composition Concert

You are warmly invited to a very special evening at The Purcell School.

A HISTORY OF THE PURCELL SCHOOL

An evening with staff over the decades 

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!

COMPOSITION CONCERT

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.

Programme will be as follow:

6.00pm Q&A session: A History of The Purcell School

 Light Refreshments

 Composition Concert: Sumer is Icumen In

8.30pm Finish

Tickets are free of charge. Donations are warmly welcomed during registration or on the evening.

Here is the link to our events page where tickets can be booked for Sumer Is Icumen in: https://connect.purcell-school.org/events/view/sumer-is-icumen-in