Alumnus named first artistic director of ABRSM
Pianist, composer and alumnus Alexis Ffrench has just been named the first artistic director of ABRSM, the Royal College of Music’s exam board. ABSRM Chief Executive Chris Cobb says Ffrench will help bring life to the board’s new performance grades.
‘Djesse’ comes to the UK
Award-winning composer, multi-instrumentalist and alumnus Jacob Collier‘s 100 date world-tour in support of new album Djesse is coming to the UK in June. The six-piece band will travel to Brighton, Bristol, Oxford, Manchester, Gateshead, Glasgow and Cambridge culminating in two sold-out nights at the 5000-capacity Brixton Academy in London. These dates mark Collier’s first UK shows for three years and his first since he made history by becoming the first UK artist of all time to have won Grammys for each of his first four albums.
Forthcoming Events
Wednesday 8 June – Performance Platform: Years 7-10
Time: 19.00
Venue: The Purcell School, CP Hall
Tickets: Free admission
A fantastic chance to hear some of our younger students in solo and chamber repertoire, programme, alongside the Junior Choir, conducted by Irina Walters.
Wednesday 15 June – Piano Recital: William Fong
Time: 19.00
Venue: The Purcell School, CP Hall
Tickets: Free admission. Donations to our instrument fund welcome here
Beethoven | Sonata No 21 in C major op 53 ‘Waldstein’
Chopin | Ballade No 4 in f minor op 52
Debussy | Estampes
The Purcell School is fortunate to have William Fong as full time Head of Keyboard, and any solo recital from him is a special occasion. His international career was launched in 1984 when he won the first prize, gold medal and Rosa Sabater prize at the Concurso Internacional de Piano in Jaén, Spain. His concerto début at St. John’s Smith Square with the Philharmonia Orchestra followed soon after. He subsequently added successes in the Busoni, Cleveland, Iturbi, and Scottish International Competitions. William now maintains a busy schedule of recitals and masterclasses, teaching and lecturing both in the UK and abroad, as well as regular commitments to some of the finest international piano summer schools. His students’ achievements have included scholarships to study all over the world, including at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, and conservatoires in Berlin, Vienna, Glasgow and London.
Friday 24 June – Two Worlds Concert
Time: 19.30 Please note the change of time from previously published
Venue: Watford Palace Theatre
Tickets: From £19.50 via the Watford Palace Theatre box office here
NB: Use Purcell’s promo code 2WORLDSCHOOL to reduce ticket cost to £10
During his year as High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Lionel Wallace was a passionate advocate for young people in the county. He conceived the idea of bringing together the contrasting worlds of his two favourite arts organisations – The Purcell School and the London Community Gospel Choir – in a charitable fundraising event. This ‘Friday night is music night’ programme of classical, gospel, jazz and Broadway is the result.
Recorder Masterclass and Concert
The Guildhall Recorder Consort, directed by Professor Ian Wilson, will give a masterclass on Tuesday 7th June (16.00 – 18.00) followed by a concert (18.30 – 19.30) side by side with Purcell’s own recorder teacher Sarah Humphrys and wind students. Please see further information below.
