News

We are sorry to announce the very sad death of Lower Sixth form bassoonist Toby Davies.  Toby, who joined The Purcell School in September from Reading School, was a member of the National Youth Wind Ensemble, Berkshire Youth Orchestra and the Acer Minor Bassoon Sextet. He studied bassoon with Sarah Burnett, piano with Daniel King-Smith…

We are delighted to announce that sixth-formers, Sophia Alexandra and William Fowler are the recipients of the first Toby Davies Memorial Award.William will receive £400 to compose a new musical in partnership with Tom Sparkes and Sophia will receive £150 to run a charity concert for Berkshire’s only children’s hospice. Toby sadly passed away after…

(Click photo for larger version) We held a wonderful Gala Dinner last night at the magnificent Stationers’ Hall (where Purcell himself is known to have performed). On the eve of St Cecilia’s Day, an enthusiastic audience of over 150 enjoyed excellent performances from several Purcellians, helping to raise substantial sums towards our Scholarship Fund. It…

How do Purcell pupils spend a night off? Putting on a concert, of course! Gabriel Davies entertained everyone last night with a gig for his Gold Arts Award, with music by Gabriel himself and cover versions of songs by the two Justins (Timberlake and Bieber) as well. Well done to Gabriel and the band. (Photo:…

Eleven boarders enjoyed a sightseeing tour of Oxford yesterday, organised by Mr Harding. In blazing spring sunshine and mild temperatures, the group took in the key sights of Oxford, but still managed some free time for lunch and shopping. Here they are in the main quad at St John’s College.

Purcell School alumnus, Jordanian-born pianist Karim Said, has given a critically acclaimed performance as part of the Southbank’s The Rest is Noise festival. Music Critic for The Independent, Michael Church, wrote:“The festival’s second concert was a coolly intellectual event in which Karim Said presented and played piano music by Schoenberg, Debussy, Janacek, and Berg, whose first sonata gave a…

Congratulations to Sophie Sparkes, who has been offered a place at St Anne’s College, Oxford, to study music from September 2014.Sophie joined The Purcell School in September 2012 for her A-Level studies, and her place is supported by a Government Music and Dance Scheme Scholarship.Sophie is a first study composer, taught by Joseph Phibbs.  A short orchestral work written…

Purcell alumnus, Joseph Phibbs has won a British Composer Award for his orchestral work, Rivers to the Sea. The work was commissioned by the Philharmonia under Esa-Pekka Salonen. Joseph studied at The Purcell School, before continuing his education at King’s College London, where he graduated with First Class Honours, and Cornell University.  He is one of…

Pressures of time have prevented any posts recently, so I shall make up for it today with an extra-long one. The snow fell in abundance last week, and students made the most of it with snowmen, snowball fights, and ice slides. However, I think we’re all bored of it now and hoping the thaw will…

Purcellians showing that they both work hard and play hard: the first Symphony Orchestra rehearsal today, making a start on Ravel’s wonderful Mother Goose suite for the Watford Colosseum on October 19th, … … and the traditional beginning of term barn dance, with everyone letting their hair down!(Photos: Jane Hunt and Chloe Hayes)