On Tuesday evening (25th June) the Lower Sixth Purcell Piano Trio – Phoebe, Rebecca and Ella – were honoured to be invited to perform Mendelssohn Piano Trio No.1 in the historic King James Drawing Room at Hatfield House. The room is named after the statue of King James I which sits above the mantelpiece.
The concert was a wonderful start to the launch of the 2024 Hatfield House Music Festival concert season and the trio were delighted to be invited to perform.
Purcell Students in UK Biology Challenge
A few weeks ago, Purcell’s Head of Science, Anna Mehta, entered four Year 10 students into the UK Biology Challenge (UKBC). The quiz-style competition, aimed at 13-15 year olds, challenges students’ knowledge and stimulates a curiosity for the natural world.
Questions were set on the school curriculum, but the competition also rewarded students whose knowledge of the subject has been increased by reading books and magazines, watching natural history programmes, taking notice of the news media for items of biological interest, and are generally aware of our natural flora and fauna.
The following 4 students did fantastically well:
Reeka (Year 10) – Gold Award (top 5% of students nationally) Hannah (Year 10) – Silver Award (top 15% of students nationally) Grace (Year 10) – Silver Award (top 15% of students nationally) Carla (Year 10) – Commended (top 25% of students nationally)
A huge well done to all four students, whose certificates have already been presented to them in class. We are incredibly proud of you.
Purcell’s Michigan Math and Science Scholar
We are delighted to announce that Year 12 student JiHyo is currently taking part in the prestigious Michigan Math and Science Scholars (MMSS) programme at the University of Michigan.
The MMSS programme is designed to expose students to a breadth of curricula offered at the University of Michigan while introducing them to current developments and research in maths and the sciences. The course runs for two weeks and is filled with sessions on topics such as the geometry of music, particle physics, forensic sciences, DNA and physiology!
The MMSS program is a stepping stone for today’s student to become tomorrow’s graduate and students are able to use the first-class labs, classrooms and technology at the University of Michigan while learning from their graduate students and advanced undergraduates. Students are given the opportunity to learn about exciting research in maths and science with real-time information and spend time problem solving in research and computer laboratories, as well as doing field work with their professors. Jihyo will be able to explore the maths and science she is interested in and see what research opportunities she could pursue in the future.
What a fantastic opportunity! Congratulations to JiHyo. We look forward to hearing all about it.
Purcell IMPULSE Trip to Dover
As part of our award-winning IMPULSE Outreach programme, led by Head of Composition Alison Cox, a group of Purcell students travelled to Dover to work with primary school children from the Whinless Down Academy School.
The trip saw the IMPULSE team run workshops with the young students from the Whinless Down Academy and culminated in a specially conceived Children’s Concert, which included film, pop songs and classical music. The audience of over 250 children and parents were delighted by it!
The trip was incredibly well received with Peter Cook, the Academy’s External Music Provider, commenting that it was a ‘really excellent and inspiring few days’. He went on to explain that ‘It was great to see primary school children being mentored so enthusiastically by the IMPULSE group . . . Some of the children who rarely engage and are challenging to reach were suddenly alive to the new sounds and rich instrumentation brought before them. They clearly relished in opportunities to compose, sing, drum, perform and listen.’
Hugely well done to all students who took part in this trip. We are incredibly proud of what you have achieved.
Concert Department Review
Tuesday 25th June – Gala Concert at Hatfield House
As mentioned above, on Tuesday 25th June, students Ella, Phoebe and Rebecca (Year 12) took part in a Gala Concert at Hatfield House, performing the first movement of Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio in D minor. Other performers included Guy Johnston, Tom Poster and others.
Thursday 26th June – Grand Summer Concert at Southwark Cathedral
This significant evening was the last performance that Edward Longstaff has conducted as a member of staff after 31 years of service. For Beethoven’s 9th Symphony we assembled a choir of over 100 alumni to sing with 30 of our singers, alongside our 60-strong orchestra. The renowned organist Wayne Marshall also played Poulenc’s Organ Concerto in G minor, conducted by Paul Hoskins. The whole school attended the magnificent riverside venue on one of the longest days of the year. It was a truly memorable occasion.
Lunchtime Concerts
The lunchtime concerts started with a wealth of cello pieces, piano and voice and finished with saxophone and piano works.
We welcomed our Southwark Cathedral organ soloist Wayne Marshall on Wednesday who gave an interesting talk on his use of social media performances.
Well done to Ivanna, Emma, Solomiya, Rina, Grace, Martin, Ken, Yazdi, Alexander, Yagmur, Jessie, April and Gui.
Forthcoming Events
In addition to those highlighted events below, please visit our new online Concerts and Events Guide here.
Monday 1 July – Woodwind Department Concert
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required.
Join us in a very special concert to celebrate this year’s woodwind ensembles and to wish a fond farewell to Purcell’s exiting Head of Woodwind, the inimitable Joy Farrall.
Tuesday 2 July – Year 7 & 8 Concert Celebration
Time: 4.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required.
Join musicians from year 7 and 8 as they perform a selection of solo and group pieces.
Wednesday 3 July – Lower School Composers’ Concert
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required.
Further information and programme to be announced shortly.
Wednesday 3 July – A Night of Jazz and Soul with Special Guest Natalie Williams
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Watford Palace Theatre
Tickets: Tickets are from £8-15 and available to purchase here.
Students from our Jazz, Commercial and Popular Music Departments will accompany UK Soul and Jazz star Natalie Williams, to present an exciting evening of Jazz and Soul music.
Expect familiar Jazz standards and Soul classics mixed in with Natalie’s own original songs.
Wednesday 3 July – Piano Department Concert at St James’s Piccadilly
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: St James’s Piccadilly, 197 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9LL, UK
Tickets: Free Admission. No Booking Required
Programme: Beethoven 32 Variations in C minor, WoO 80 Debussy L’Isle Joyeuse, L.106 Liszt Grande Etude de Paganini in E flat Major, S.141 No.2
Chopin Scherzo in E Major, Op.54 Prokofiev Toccata in D minor, Op.11 Scriabin 24 Preludes, Op.11 Nos. 2, 3, 10, 11, 17, 18
Rameau Suite in E minor, RCT2 No.4 ‘Le Rappel des Oiseux’ Chopin Ballade in F Major, Op.38 Ravel Alborada del gracioso (from Miroirs 1905) Rachmaninoff Moments Musicaux in C Major, Op.16 No.6
Performers: Chloe, Jessie, Jiahao and Phoebe
Thursday 4 July – Bushey Festival Celebration Concert
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Entrance is free (no booking required), with a retiring collection.
The Purcell School is pleased to be holding a 4th July Celebration Concert as part of the 2024 Bushey Festival.
Programme: Natra Sonatina for harp i) Allegretto semplice ii) Senza misura iii) Allegro moderato ben ritmato Katerina Kayek Nostalgia (Symphonic Wind Orchestra) conducted by Ryan Bunce Jonathan Dove Stargazer Trombone Concerto (Symphonic Wind Orchestra) conducted by Ryan Hepburn, trombone solo Alex Steve Reich Mallet Quartet*
*Ali, Hannah, Ryan Hepburn and guest percussionist Sam Walton
Friday 5 July – Lunchtime Recital at St Bride’s
Time: 1.15pm
Venue: St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, London EC4Y 8AU
Tickets: Entrance is free (no booking required), with a retiring collection.
This concert features two winners of the Purcell School String Sonata Competitions, Thomas and Mina.
Programme: York Bowen Sonata for Clarinet and Piano Rebecca Clarke Sonata for Viola and Piano
