News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 27th June 2025 Two talented young composers have been announced as the winners of New Sailing Sounds, a national competition run by The Purcell School in collaboration with the Met Office to celebrate 100 years on air of the Shipping Forecast on the BBC. Samuel Hunt (aged 11) was named Junior Winner…

The Purcell School is delighted to announce the appointment of internationally acclaimed violinist and educator Alex Redington as its new Head of Strings, beginning September 2025. Alex brings a wealth of experience as a performer and teacher, having spent 27 years as first violinist and founding member of the acclaimed Doric String Quartet. Formed when…

The Purcell School is delighted to announce that it has been named joint winner of The Big Draw Festival 2022. This achievement underscores the School’s commitment to innovative, cross-curricular learning and its dedication to fostering creativity across all disciplines. The Big Draw Festival, the world’s largest celebration of drawing, invited participants from around the globe…

RELEASE: Tuesday 14th May 2024 It is with the greatest honour that The Purcell School announces His Majesty King Charles III will be retaining Patronage of the School. The news, which marks the first anniversary of Their Majesties Coronation, follows the thorough analysis of over one thousand organisations of which The late Queen, The former…

The Purcell School is delighted to announce that Mike Cavanagh has been appointed as its new Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion, starting in September 2024. Mike Cavanagh is a Professor of Baritone Horn and Tutor in Chamber Music at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). He is also Solo Baritone of the internationally…

02.02.1944 – 20.04.2024 We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of one of Britain’s greatest conductors and Purcell Patron Sir Andrew Davis CBE at the age of 80. He is remembered with the fondest respect and admiration by all at The Purcell School. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.    Further information about…

It is with great pleasure that The Purcell School announces world-renowned violinist, conductor and arranger Dmitry Sitkovetsky as their newest Patron. Dmitry Sitkovetsky holds a venerable position in musical society, having made a compelling impact on every aspect of musical life throughout his career of over four decades. He is a prolific recording artist and…

It is with great pleasure that The Purcell School announces internationally renowned, cellist, music educator and broadcaster Julian Lloyd Webber as their newest Patron. A former Principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Emeritus Professor of Performing Arts at Birmingham City University and the founder of the In Harmony music education programme, Julian Lloyd Webber is…

The School is deeply saddened to learn the news of the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Our thoughts are with all members of the Royal family at this time and especially His Majesty The King, who, as Prince of Wales, graciously acted as our Royal Patron. The Purcell School joins with all those across…

Released: 18th May 2022 The Purcell School is tremendously proud to be launching a new and pioneering first study Commercial and Popular Music Department, which will be available to students from September 2022. Led by the award-winning pop and jazz saxophonist and composer Simon Allen, the Commercial and Popular Music Department will provide specialist music…