News

Three Purcell pupils have reached the category finals of BBC Young Musician, the UK’s leading contest for young classical musicians.Juliana Myslov (17) – harpMartin Bartlett (17) – pianoIsobel Daws (14) – trombone After an extensive audition process, judges have announced five finalists for each of its categories – Strings, Keyboard, Woodwind, Brass and Percussion.  Over…

Delightful Lower School Concert this afternoon – excellent brass ensemble, choir (pictured) and string orchestra. It was so good to see and hear the juniors on such great form. A good turn-out of parents and staff as well. Many thanks and congratulations to everyone involved.

Two inspirational associates from The Purcell School were awarded OBEs in the Queen’s 2012 Birthday Honours list: Alison Cox, Head of Composition and Jenny Agutter, School Governor. On Friday 19th October, they both received their honour at a special Investiture Ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Alison Cox was awarded the title in recognition of her services…

Despite the rain, we enjoyed another very successful Open Morning on Saturday, with more than 50 families sampling the live music, guided tours of the school, explosions in the Chemistry labs (courtesy of Mr Banks) and Chef’s famous creations in the Dining Room. See the gallery below for a flavour of the day. (© all…

Purcell School pupils gave a fantastic concert to a big audience at Wigmore Hall on Sunday evening.  The programme included vocal motets by Farrant, Victoria, Tallis and Duruflé, movements from Ravel’s Piano Trio, String Quintets by Gernsheim and Schumann and Poulenc Violin Sonata.  Also, Ligeti’s Six Bagatelles for Wind Quintet, Koppel Toccata for Vibraphone and…

School exams have started – lots of worried faces, and furious last-minute revision. Good luck to everyone!

The leavers all had their photos taken last week, to be presented to them at the end of term. Here is Tracey in action, taking a lovely shot of Juliana. Meanwhile, outside in the corridor … … an impromptu jamming session was taking place – ‘Summertime’ for violin and three marimba players, which I think…

The Purcell School is pleased to announce that Robert Saxton will become Composer-in-Association at the school from September 2013.  Professor Saxton will visit the school each year to work with our young composers and advise on their development.Robert Saxton is currently Professor of Composition, University of Oxford, and Tutorial Fellow in Music, Worcester College, Oxford. …

A lovely Spring morning, with blossom and bulbs.

For the last two days, a BBC film crew has been recording footage around the school in preparation for the Young Musician of the Year Category Finals. Martin, Juliana and Isobel have all been filmed in instrumental lessons, academic classes and generally around the school, their friends have been interviewed, and even their teachers! Watch…