News

Was invited yesterday to see the new building at Chetham’s School in Manchester. As you can see, it is very modern and absolutely huge! Enjoyed a fine lunchtime concert (thank you, Hayley, for showing me round) and had some very useful meetings with staff. A very interesting day.

Fantastic chamber music recital at the Wigmore Hall yesterday. Here are the Ravel Trio relaxing backstage before the performance. Well done to everyone who took part.

The horn section enjoying last minute rehearsals for our QEH concert next Monday.

A lovely sunny morning, ideal for enjoying the autumn colours around the school.

A large number of families visited us on Saturday to see around the school, hear some music and meet staff and pupils. The photos below give a flavour of the day (click on them for larger images). Parents and prospective pupils listen attentively to my talk. Our Chef Manager wows everyone with his wonderful creations….

Sixth Form pupil Hyungi Lee was one of nine semi-finalists in the Universal Marimba Competition held in July in Belgium. There is no age limit for this worldwide competition and the jury comprised international soloists and professors.  Hyungi joined The Purcell School in February 2011, and holds a Government Scholarship under the Music and Dance Scheme.  Her…

Leavers’ Dinner, July 2013 This year’s Purcell Leavers were celebrating yesterday after securing some excellent grades in their A-level results. The percentage of those scoring the highest two grades (A* and A) rose from 26% to 39%, with an even greater increase in the proportion of those scoring a B grade or higher, which rose…

The last night of term saw another terrific Jazz Concert featuring the Big Band led by Tom Gardner (pictured above), the Jazz Band and Junior Impro Group. It was an emotional evening for those jazz students leaving, and we also said goodbye to Head of Jazz Simon Colam and Saxophone tutor Carlos Lopez-Real, with cakes…

Well done to the Purcell Pursuit Team, who took part in the Race for Life this morning in Cassiobury Park, in aid of Cancer Research UK. (Photo: Mr P Fellas)

Head of Wind, Brass (and everything else) Kevin Hathway taking Junior Assembly this morning, complete with Roman outfit. A week spent playing the live soundtrack to ‘Gladiator’ at the Albert Hall with the Philharmonia clearly had a worrying effect on him.