Alison Cox Retires | Concert Success at PizzaExpress | Outstanding student achievements | and much more . . .
CHRIS HARBOUR Director of Development
Whatayear!Itseemsincrediblethatweareattheendofanotheracademicyearhereat Purcell. Our students have performed in over 130 lunchtime concerts, 50 further concerts in school and 44 performances in venues outside school. An incredible feat. Highlights included our jazz students sharing the stage with Claire Martin in Chelsea, our bands accompanying Vanessa Haynes in PizzaExpress Live Holborn and our SymphonyOrchestraconcertatMiltonCourt.
The individual and collective work undertaken by our students and staff is truly astonishing and our whole community should be proud of this year’s achievements. There have been so many fantastic musical experiences it is difficult to summarise adequately.
WesaygoodbyetoourUpperSixthstudentsthissummerwhotaketheirnextstepsinto conservatoire,universityandtheirindividualjourneys.Wewishthesenewmembersof ouralumnicommunityalltheverybestandlookforwardtohearingabouttheirmany futureachievements.
WealsobidfarewelltoHeadofComposition,AlisonCox.Alisonhasbeenanincredible forceofcreativityanddevelopmentatPurcellandwewishheralltheverybestinher retirementafter38yearsofdedicatedservicetoouryoungmusicians.Onpage18you can read a Q&A article with Alison who talks about the evolution of her role over the years,highlightsandadviceforyoungcomposers.
Be sure to check out the ‘Dates for Your Diary’ section on the final pages of this newsletter.Followingthestudents’well-earnedsummerbreak,ourconcertprogramme willbebackinfullswingfromSeptemberwithinternalandexternalconcertsacrossall themusicdepartments.WehopetoseeyouataPurcellperformancesoon!
Wishingyouallanenjoyablesummer.
c.harbour@purcell-school.org 01923331131
Regina(Year7,pianoandharp) triumphedattheGrandFinalof the EPTA UK National Piano Competition.
Atthefinal,heldon28Marchat Steinway Hall, London, Regina was awarded First Prize (Under 12 category) as well as the OverallBestPerformancePrize Her programme included Debussy’s L’isle joyeuse and Rachmaninov’s Six Moments Musicaux No 6 in C major, impressing the judges with her musicality and technical command
Twoofoursongwritingstudents releasedoriginalmusicoverthe Easterbreak
Clara (Year 12, songwriting) released Fire and Flame, while Sam (Year 12, songwriting) released Fall Apart, both now available on streaming platforms
Luca (Year 11, piano) was recently invited to take part in anexclusivemasterclassin
Germany organised by Kawai Europe.
Attheconcludingconcert,Luca performed with outstanding technical control and clarity of sound. The masterclass also helpedshapehisinterpretation of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21,whichhelaterperformedin London with the Vanbrugh Ensemble to warm acclaim fromtheaudience
Luca has also been successful on two other significant achievements, but this time as ayoungcomposer.
At the Clarinet Choir International Composition Competition,heldaspartofthe Portus Naonis International Clarinet Festival in Italy, Luca’s Fantasia for Clarinet Choir was awarded Second Prize and a Certificate of Merit Open to composers of all ages, including professionals, the competition did not award a First Prize, meaning Luca achieved the highest overall score.
Luca also won the 14–18 age category composition competition at the Elgar Festival with his work Intermezzo Variations. The piece was performed by professional brass players from the English Symphony Orchestra at Worcester Cathedral, and Luca was interviewed during the event by Classic FM presenter Zeb Soanes
Stephanie (Year 8, harp) was awarded First Prize in the Junior Composition Competition at the North London Festival of Music, Speech&Drama.
Her original solo harp work, Puppy Love (in War),impressed the adjudicators and became Stephanie’s second consecutive win in this competition – an outstanding achievement
Stephanie went on to be awarded First Place in the Grade8HarpRecitalClass.
Luca
Stephanie performed David Watkins’ Prelude (from Petite Suite) alongside Park Stickney’s The Dirty Laundry Rag, receiving glowing praise from adjudicator Mared Emyr Pugh-Evans, Harpist to His Majesty The King. Her performancewascommended for its musicality, phrasing, dynamic range and technical assurance
Year 12 pianist, Celeste, also achievedmultiplesuccessesat the North London Festival of Music,Speech&Drama
Celeste was awarded First Place in both the Romantic Period Class for her performance of Chopin’s Scherzo Op. 39 No. 3 and the Baroque/ClassicalPeriodClass for Haydn’s Sonata in E-flat Major XVI:52.Shealsoreceived Second Place in the festival’s Challenge Piano Prize competition.
Continuing the success at the NorthLondonFestivalof
Music, Speech & Drama, Michael (Year 9, piano) won thePremierChallengeCup.
Competinginthe13yearsand over category, Michael was awarded both the cup and a £100 cash prize in recognition of his outstanding performance. Following this success,hewasalsoinvitedto perform at the festival’s Winners’ Gala Concert on 15 May.
Michaelalsorecentlymadehis debut as a soloist with the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra
Performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat Major, K 271 at the historic Rector’s Palace in Dubrovnik, Croatia, Michael performed under the batonofStjepanVugerbefore apackedaudience.
Sherry(Year8,piano)wontwo First Prizes at the Ealing Festivalon10May
Sherrywasawardedtopplace in both the Bach or Other Baroque Solo (16 and under) classandtheHaydnorMozart Solo(18andunder)class–an excellent achievement demonstrating her versatility across contrasting styles and repertoire
Tymofii (Year 9, piano) was awarded Second Prize in the London International Chopin Competition for Young Pianists (Category B) and Rickmansworth Young Musician of the Year 2026, alongside First Prize in the Buckinghamshire Junior Young Musician of the Year 2026competition Hewasalso named winner of the Etude category at the London International Chopin Competition
Year 8 pianist Elly has had an exceptional series of achievements across multiple festivalsandcompetitions.
RecentsuccessesincludeFirst
Stephanie Michael
Sherry
Prize in both the Piano ExhibitionandConcertoclasses attheEalingFestival,alongside awards for Most Promising Performer, Most Outstanding Pianist, and the Junior Music Award at the Bedfordshire Festival of Music, Speech & Drama.
Elly also received an Outstanding Performance Award at the EPTA Regional Competition, was selected as oneofsevenYoungMusiciansat theMiltonKeynesFestivalofthe Arts, and won the Junior Piano RecitalProgrammecategory!
also been accepted into the internationally acclaimed LGT Young Soloists and was offered a concert tour with the ensemble.InJune,shetravelled to Germany to perform at the renownedLudwigsburgFestival, appearing alongside some of theworld’smosttalentedyoung musicians.
outstanding ambassador she was for both the School and young musicians more broadly
Year 13 violist Julia has been selected as a quarter-finalist in BBCYoungMusician2026.
Chosen from hundreds of applicants,Juliawasoneofjust eight musicians to reach this stage of the prestigious competition and performed in thequarter-finalsinSwanseaon 8thJuly.
Addingtothissuccess,Juliahas
We were delighted to receive wonderful feedback about Zoe (Year 12, violin) following a recent performance at DownhamGrangeCareHome.
Performing a programme of classical and contemporary music,Zoecaptivatedresidents andstaffalike,withherplaying describedasboth“movingand emotional”. One member of staff remarked that the performance was so affecting that it made “the hairs stand up”onherarm.
Alongside her musical talent, Zoe was praised for her warmth, patience and professionalism Staff commentedonwhatan
Kutay (Year 11, violin) attended the Junior String Quartet Academy in Folkestone, founded by distinguished violinist Ben Hancox of the internationally renownedSacconiQuartet.
The intensive three-day programme brought together talented young musicians from across the UK and Iceland, who worked closely with leading chamber music specialists including Ben Hancox and cellist Robin Michael.
The course culminated in a public concert at The Grand Folkestone, featuring performances of Shostakovich’s Quartet No. 8 alongside music by MendelssohnandHaydn
The academy provided an inspiringopportunityfor
young musicians to deepen their ensemble skills, musical understanding and artistic confidence while working with internationally respected performersandeducators.
Kutay was also recently selected to participate in an exclusive violin masterclass led by internationally acclaimed violinistKersonLeong.
HeldovertwodaysinRome,the masterclass brought together a select group of talented young violinists from around the world Kutayreceivedindividual coaching from Kerson Leong, gainingvaluablemusicalinsight and performance experience in an inspiring international setting.
Anna (Year 13, piano) performed at Cadogan Hall, appearinginBeethoven’s Choral Fantasy with the Oxford PhilharmonicOrchestraandthe Crouch End Festival Chorus under the baton of Marios Papadopoulos.
The concert was presented to markCyprus’sPresidencyofthe Council of the European Union, making it a particularly significantoccasion.Performing this large-scale and demanding work alongside professional musiciansandchorusmembers provided Anna with a valuable andmemorableexperience.
Clara (Year 12, songwriting), performed under her artist name ClaraTee, recently enjoying a busy and exciting weekend of live performances, includingherfirstLondongig
ClaraTeeappearedasasupport act at The Piano, Smithfield, performing her own original material on both piano and guitar. Playing to a packed and enthusiastic audience, she supported fellow young artist Rubi Leigh in the intimate Londonvenue
The following day, ClaraTee performedaspartoftheannual Buck Pub music event near Aylesbury,entertaining
audiences of all ages in the summersunshine.
Year 11 cellist Yoko has been awarded First Prize in the 2026 Carducci Young Composers Competition (Junior Category) for her stringquartet, Technicolour
As part of the award, Technicolour was performed by the acclaimed Carducci Quartet at Highnam Church, givingYokotheopportunityto hear her work performed by one of the UK’s leading chamberensembles.
Von(Year12,violin),hasbeen awarded First Prize in the SeniorCategoryoftheGolden Classical Music Awards InternationalCompetition
As part of her award, Von has been invited to perform the third movement of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major at the legendary CarnegieHallinNewYorkthis December.
Congratulations toallourstudents on their recent achievements.
Anna Clara
MASTERCLASSES
Thistermhasbeenpackedwithexcitinglearningopportunities,asourstudents havetakenpartinafantasticseriesofmasterclasseshostedbyvisitingartists andeducators.Here'saglimpseintojustacoupleofthestandoutsessions.
Leon Bosch Leads Double Bass Masterclass
On Tuesday 5th May, the School was delighted to welcome internationally renowned doublebassistLeonBoschforamasterclasswithourdoublebassstudents.
Prince (Year 13), Lucas (Year 10), Phoebe (Year 10), Norah (Year 9) and Summer (Year 8) performed a wide range of repertoire, including works by Cimador, Glière and Bottesini, demonstratingbothtechnicalassuranceandmusicalimagination.
Following the class, Leon commented: “What struck me most was not simply the high technical level impressive as that was but the musical maturity, imagination and freedomwithwhichthesestudentsperform.”
Katy Jones Trombone Masterclass
On Monday 15th June, we were thrilled to welcomeKatyJones,PrincipalTromboneof the Halle Orchestra, Senior Tutor at the RNCMandaButeykoBreathingPractitioner totheschool.
Katydelivered1-1lessons,coachedaBrass Quintet ahead of their external concert at St. Bride’s Church, Fleet Street and also gave a Buteyko Breathing workshop to all ourwindandbrassplayers.
FRIENDS CONCERT CELEBRATES STUDENTS AND SUPPORTERS
On 16 June, members of the Friends of The Purcell School gathered in the CP Hall for their annualdedicatedconcert,enjoyinganinspiringprogrammeperformedbyourstudents.
th The evening featured music by Britten, Franck, Carmichael, Lehman, Schubert, Schumann, Dvořák and Thelonious Monk, performed by Sonya, Saule, Khanui, Tristan, April, Yulin, Stephanie, Marija, Carla, Ireh, Harry, Jack, Miles and Otto. The breadth of repertoire on displayreflectedthediversity,creativityandexceptionalmusicianshipofourstudents,making forathoroughlyenjoyableevening.
The annual Friends Concert is one of the many ways in which the School thanks those who support our young musicians through the Friends of The Purcell School programme. Friends enjoy a range of benefits, including reduced-price tickets to concerts at venues such as Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall and Sinfonia Smith Square, invitations to exclusive events and regular updates from the School Most importantly, membership helps provide vital financial supporttotalentedyoungmusicianswhomightotherwisebeunabletoattendtheSchool.
Ifyouwouldliketobecomepartofthisspecialcommunityandsupportthenextgenerationof exceptional young artists, you can find out more and join the Friends of The Purcell School here:FriendsofThePurcellSchool
ThankyoutoourFriendsfortheircontinuedsupportoftheSchoolanditsyoungmusicians.
STANBOROUGH PARK CHARCH LUNCHTIME CONCERT
On Sunday, 26th April, Purcell students captivated audiences at Stanborough Park Church in Watfordwithadelightfulafternoonteaconcert.
Queenie and Regina opened the programme with Fauré’s Dolly Suite, followed by Queenie performing Rondo Pastorale on the harp. Regina then took to the piano with No. 6 from Rachmaninov’s Six Moments Musicaux.
The second half featured solo piano performances from Tristan H and Anna Tristan performedScarlatti’s Sonata K.454 andBrahms’s Piano Sonata No. 1,whileAnnapresentedthe secondhalfofSchumann’s Carnaval.Toclosetheconcert,TristanandAnnareturnedasaduo, deliveringacharacterfulperformanceofDvořák’s Slavonic Dances, Op 72 No 2 and Op 46 No 8.
Theaudienceresponsewaswarmandlively,withmanystayingafterwardstospeakwiththe performersovertea.
PURCELL SCHOOL BRASS ENSEMBLE APPEARS AT THE WIGMORE HALL
On Saturday 25th April, the Purcell School Brass Ensemble were delighted to perform at the Wigmore Hall as part of the British Brass Chamber Music Day in memory of legendary British trumpeter, Philip Jones. Many will have heard of the pioneering Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, who set benchmark standards for brass ensembles all over the world to be measured against with their inspirational playing, bringing brass chamber music to the forefront of classical concerts globally throughoutthesecondhalfofthe20thcentury.
The Purcell School Brass Ensemble had the huge honour of opening the day’s proceedings, performing Elgar Howarth’s arrangement of Trumpet Tune and Air, John Iveson’s setting of Susato Suite, and Richard Bissill’s arrangement of Jealousy.
Onwhatwasareallandmarkoccasionforourbrassdepartmentandtheschool,ourbrass students, directed by Head of Wind, Brass & Percussion Mike Cavanagh, performed brilliantlyinthemostfamouschambermusicvenueintheworld.
THE COX CRYPTOGRAM (A–E♭–C) CONCERT
On 29th April, the Composition Department presented The CoxCryptogram(A–E♭–C)concertinhonourofAlisonCox, Head of Composition. (E ♭ is “Es” in German, forming the middleinitialofAlison’sname)CuratedanddirectedbyDr Daniel Fardon, the incoming Head of Composition, the concert featured 18 performers, including staff members James Turnbull (oboe), Mike Cavanagh (baritone horn), Alex Redington (violin), Richard Jenkinson (cello) and AlexanderUllman(piano).
Itwasinspiringtoseestaffperformingworksbyboth colleaguesandstudents.Theproject culminated in an impressive total of 24 compositions, all developed from the A–E ♭ –C motif.
StaffcomposersincludedRobertSaxton,SylviaLim,GarethMoorcraft,SimonSpeare, Daniel Fardon and Jacques Cohen. Student composers were Luca N, Yoko, Arthur, Samsara, Jonah, Luca B, Tate, Nemunis, Natalie D, Mac, Gerard, Matilda, Matthew, Hiroatsu,Kaelan,Victor,AmbrusandDima.
BUSHEY UNITED SYNAGOGUE AFTERNOON CONCERT
On 5th May, two string quartets from Purcell performed to a packed audience at an afternoonconcertatBusheySynagogue.
Zarema,Nina,LilyandSiyueopenedtheconcertwiththewell-known–butchallenging–Mozart work Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, followed by two movements from Haydn’s “Fifths” Quartet.
Inthesecondhalf,Carla,Ireh,ReekaandJackperformedtwomasterpiecesofthestring quartetrepertoire:Beethoven’s Op 18 No 2 andDvořák’s American Quartet.
PURCELL OPENS THE STOKE NEWINGTON CONTEMPORARY
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Hackney Music Live × Stoke Newington Contemporary Music Festival 2026 took place from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th May, bringing an ambitious weekend of contemporary and experimentalmusictovenuesacrossStokeNewingtonandHackney.Thecollaborationunited Hackney Music Live’s dynamic concert platform with the adventurous spirit of Stoke Newington Contemporary Music Festival, which has championed new music and boundarycrossingperformanceintheareasince2013.
ThefestivalopenedonFridaylunchtimeatSuttonHousewitharemarkableperformanceby18 pianistsfromThePurcellSchool,whopresentedLigeti’scomplete18 Études forsolopiano one of the most dazzling, intricate and technically demanding cycles in modern piano literature. Daniel Fardon, Incoming Head of Composition, Artistic Director of Hackney Music Live, and producer of the festival, invited the School’s Piano Department to launch the weekend’s programme, working closely with Head of Keyboard William Fong to bring the studentstothisexcitingLondonconcertplatform.
Fardon noted that “The performance was a resounding success! The students rose to the considerable challenge of Ligeti’s music with exceptional maturity, precision, and sensitivity, offering a compelling account of this extraordinary repertoire” . Audience members responded with admiration and astonishment, many commenting on the remarkable level of artistry, focus,andmusicalinsighttheyhadwitnessedfromsuchyoungperformers
CEDARS VILLAGE AFTERNOON CONCERT
On7thMay,theConcertsDepartmenthadthedelightoftakingfivestudentsfromourJazzand Pop & Commercial Department to perform a concert in the beautiful event hall at Cedars Village.
The performers were Julianna (saxophone), Otto (keyboard), Gianntino (piano), Beulah (vocals) and Albert (guitar), who put together a wonderful set highlighting well-loved jazz standards, including Cry Me a River, Ain’t No Sunshine and What a Wonderful World.
The audience was incredibly engaged, and smilescouldbeseenthroughoutthehall.Oneof the residents who produced the BBC documentaryManontheMoon-gavea heartfelt vote of thanks at the end, describing it as a highly entertaining and memorable concertgivenbyourstudents.AnotherresidentcommentedthatshewouldNEVERforgetthe afternoon
ST JAMES’S SUSSEX GARDENS PIANO
LUNCHTIME CONCERT,
Threepianists–Kira,KevinandStephanie–performedinthestunningStJames’sChurch, SussexGardens,Paddington,on9thJune.
Kira opened the concert with a thoughtfully curated programme of works by Beethoven, Schumann,ScriabinandProkofiev,delivering each piece with confidence and distinct character. Kevin followed with a sensitive performance of Beethoven’s Sonata No 17 and Chopin’s brilliant Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise Brillante. Stephanie concluded the concert with an expressive performance of Mozart’s Adagio in B minor andChopin’s Fantaisie in F minor
Some audience members were returning visitors, having attended the Purcell performanceatthevenuejustamonthearlier. Well done to these Year 11 pianists, who not only gave a fantastic concert but also remained completely unfazed by the GCSE Mathematics exam taking place the following day!
BENSLOW CONCERT
A group of students travelled to perform at Benslow Music Trust. Kate, Kateryna, Rebecca, Ezio, Lily, Gabriella, Elly, Sophia, Zoe and Bettina delighted the audience with their performances of Leo Brouwer, Beethoven, Granados, Mozart and Hahn, Kabalevsky, Bach, Debussy and Bartók respectively.
CASTLE VILLAGE CONCERT
Nine students from Years 7 to 9 visited Castle Village Retirement Village and performed a one-hour afternoon concert for the residents. Theprogrammepresentedawonderfulvariety of music spanning three centuries, from Handel to Piazzolla, featuring guitar, violin, trumpet,celloandclarinetperformances,with allstudentsperformingsolo.
CongratulationstoEzio,Rebecca-May,Jakub, Queenie, Emma, Alexa, Gracie and Zoe, as well as Debbie Shah for her beautiful accompaniment.
After the concert, the students and residents had the opportunity to chat about the programme and the students’ musical aspirationsoveracupoftea.
LUNCHTIME CONCERT AT ST BRIDE’S CHURCH
On Tuesday 16th June, we took a Wind Quintet andBrassQuintetintocentralLondontoperform as part of the well-established lunchtime concert seriesatSt Bride’sChurch,FleetStreet TheWind Quintet, consisting of Rose, Emily, Ayman, Lilly and Brad, opened the concert with Danzi’s Wind Quintet No 2, before they had the privilege of performingaWorldPremierebyEnglishcomposer Diana Burrell One of Diana‘s newest works, she dedicated her three-movement work Song for Winds ‘to the young musicians at The Purcell School’.
ST MARY’S WATFORD
Purcellstudentspresentedafantasticand diverse programme for a lunchtime concertatStMary’sinWatford.
Kate Y opened the concert with a guitar solo, Elogio de la Danza byBrower,which was followed by Mac‘s performance of two arias from Mozart’s well-known operas The Magic Flute and The Marriage of Figaro. The audience was then treated to another guitar solo, Campo from Sonatina Meridional byPonce,performed byKateP.
Jackfollowedwiththefourthmovement of Elgar’s beloved cello concerto. To conclude the programme, Yakov performed Varlaam’s Aria (“Once in the town of Kazan”) from Boris Godunov, Mussorgsky’s opera, dazzling the audiencewithhisbassvoice
Our Brass Quintet, consisting of Rhys, Mason, Trevor, Skye and Tristan, then performed Kevin Mckee’s ever-popular yet difficult two-movement work, Iron Horse,whichturnedouttobeacertain hitwiththefullaudience.
PIZZAEXPRESS LIVE, CHELSEA
15studentsperformedwiththelegendaryvocalist Claire Martin at PizzaExpress Live, the elegant live music venue in the basement of the historic PheasantryonChelsea’sKing’sRoad
The audience flooded in and all the tables were full, ready for the show to start at 8pm. Our students delivered two fantastic sets with Claire, who frequently commented on their professionalismasdidmanyoftheaudience.The students were a credit to themselves and to the School, mastering the many arrangements and solostheyhadtoperform.
Welldonetoyouall:Ivan,Ezio,Marcus,Gil,Ivan, Marija, Oliver, Flo, Mahla, Seth, Ethan, Julianna,Miles,Otto,Paawan,YoelandYulin.
THE PURCELL SCHOOL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA DAZZLES AT MILTON COURT
The Purcell School Symphony Orchestra returned to Milton Court, London, with a programme that showcased the extraordinary talent nurtured within our school. As ever,theorchestra'sperformancewasoutstanding it'seasytoforgetjusthowyoung thesemusiciansarewhentheyplaywithsuchmaturity,precisionandpassion,expertly ledbyDirectorofMusicandconductor,PaulHoskins.
The concert paired the first symphonies of two giants of twentieth-century Russian music: Prokofiev and Shostakovich. Prokofiev composed his Symphony No. 1, the "Classical Symphony", in 1917 amid the upheaval of the Russian Revolution, drawing on the clarity and charm of Haydn while infusing it with his own neoclassical wit. Shostakovich, meanwhile, wrote his Symphony No. 1 at just nineteen years old as his graduation work at the Leningrad Conservatory. Together, the two works offered a striking reminderofthebrillianceandindividualitythesecomposers displayed in their youth a fitting parallel to the creative potentialweseeflourishingat ThePurcellSchooleveryday.
An undoubted highlight of the evening was a breathtaking performance from soloist Anna Avramidou, a Year 13 pianist at the School, who performed Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 one of the most thrilling and monumental works in the piano repertoire. As winner of The Purcell School's Senior Concerto Competition 2025, Anna tooktothestagewithremarkableassurance,andherperformancemorethanlivedup toherrapidlygrowinginternationalreputation.In2025shewontheprestigiousCooper InternationalPianoCompetitionandhassinceperformedwiththeClevelandOrchestra, addingtoalistofaccoladesthatincludesprizesattheClaraHaskilPianoCompetition andtheFranzLisztInternationalPianoCompetitionforYoungPianistsinWeimar.
It was an evening that reflected everything we are proud of at The Purcell School: extraordinary young talent, world-class training, and the sheer joy of music-making. Thank you to everyone who joined us at Milton Court, and to all our supporters who makeeveningslikethispossible.
HANNAH GRAYSON
We are delighted to share that alumna Hannah Grayson (flute) has been appointed Sub-Principal Flute of the London PhilharmonicOrchestra.
Hannah studied at The Purcell School with AnnaPopeandnowjoinsanimpressivegroup ofPurcellalumniwithintheLPOwindsection, includingJulietteBausor(PrincipalFlute)and fellow alumni colleagues – Thomas Watmough(Sub-PrincipalClarinet)andHelen Storey(Sub-PrincipalBassoon).
EDWARD TAIT WINS NCEM YOUNG COMPOSERS AWARD
CongratulationstoalumnusEdwardTait(composition)whohasbeenawardedatop prizeintheNationalCentreforEarlyMusicYoungComposersAward.
Edward was recognised for his work My troubled sense doth move, following a final roundheldinYorkwhereselectedcomposerscollaboratedwiththeGonzagaBand. The competition is widely regarded as an important stepping stone for emerging composers,withwinningworkstobeperformedandbroadcastlaterthisyear.
Our congratulations to alumna Beth Caswell (harp) who was awarded First Prize at the United Kingdom Harp Competition.
The competition took place as part of the North London Festival of Music, Drama & Speech, celebrating outstanding young harp talent from across the country. This is a fantastic achievementandwonderfulrecognition ofBeth’scontinuedsuccess.
Congratulations to Ella Richardson who has been appointed an Open Academy Fellow at the Royal Academy of Music, beginning this September.
This is a fantastic opportunity and recognition of Ella’s continued musical and professional development. We wish her every success in this excitingnextstep.
EXCITING TIMES FOR ALEXIS FFRENCH
We are delighted to share that alumnus Alexis Ffrench (piano, composition) has joinedClassicFMtopresentaneweight-partseries,MusictoLiveBy.
The series explores how classical music can support wellbeing, from enhancing mood to promoting calm and focus. Described by Alexis as an ‘essential emotional toolkit,’ the programme draws connections between classical repertoire and music acrossgenresandgenerations.
TheserieslaunchedonFriday10thAprilat9pmandisavailableonClassicFMand GlobalPlayer.
Alexishasalsoannouncedhisbiggestheadlineconcerttodate,withaperformance attheLondonPalladiumon27thApril2027.
The concert will celebrate the release of Alexis‘s forthcoming album, 24, and will featuremusicfromacrosshiscareer,performedwithafullstringorchestra.
This landmark performance represents another exciting milestone in Alexis’s remarkable career and we look forward to seeing him take to the stage at one of London’smosticonicvenues.
Pre-saleticketsareonsalehere.
SUCCESS AT YCAT FINAL
We were delighted to see Purcell alumni strongly represented at the Young Classical ArtistsTrust(YCAT)FinalatWigmoreHallonThursday7thMay.
Following a highly competitive international selection process, alumna Milda Daunoraite (piano) was named among the eight finalists and gave a superb performanceatthefinal.ThetopprizewasawardedtofellowPurcellalumnusWillard Carter(cello),whowasselectedasoneofYCAT’sNewArtistsfor2026aswellasbeing namedtheYCATAnniversaryArtist.
It was wonderful to see so many members of the Purcell community in the audience supportingbothmusiciansatthisprestigiousevent.
On Sunday 17th May, alumnus and Leeds International Piano Competition winner, Alim Beisembayev joined the Philharmonia Orchestra at the Marlowe TheatreinCanterbury,alongsideconductor AdamHickox.
The concert programme included Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4, alongside works by Mendelssohn and Brahms.Alimcontinuestoenjoyanexciting internationalperformingcareer,andweare delightedtosharenewsofthis concert.
The evening closed the orchestra's 2025/26 season, earning high praise for Beisembayev’stechnicalassuranceandsensitiveinterplaywiththeensemble.
KEREM HASAN APPOINTED GENERAL MUSIC DIRECTOR
Congratulations to alumnus Kerem Hasan, who has been appointed General Music Director of the Badisches Staatstheater in Karlsruhe, Germany, beginning with the 2027-28season
In announcing the appointment, the theatre praised Kerem‘s artistic vision, creativity and inspirational musicianship, expressing confidence that he will lead the Badische Staatskapelleintoanexcitingnewchapterwhilebuildingonitsdistinguishedtraditions.
BINGBING LI RELEASES DEBUT VINYL ALBUM
WearedelightedtosharenewsfromalumnaBingBingLi(piano),whosedebutvinylalbum, Fire and Soul,hasrecentlybeenreleasedbyChinaRecords
The recording has received enthusiastic praise for its artistic freshness, spontaneity and expressive intensity.Recordedusingalive-concertapproach,the albumseekstocapturetheimmediacyandemotional depthofRomanticpianorepertoire.
Alongside the album’s release, BingBing has recently completed her third international concert and masterclass tour, travelling to 18 cities across several countries. Combining performances with educational work, the tour reflects her continuing commitment to sharing music with audiences and young musicians aroundtheworld.
BingBing expressed her gratitude for the artistic foundation she received at The Purcell Schoolandremainsproudtocarrythatinfluencethroughouthermusicalcareer.
DEBBIE SHAH PERFORMS AT MALTA SPRING FESTIVAL
Purcell accompanist Debbie Shah recently took part in the Malta Spring Festival, performing in masterclasses and a recital alongside renowned violinist and Purcell PatronDmitrySitkovetsky.
During the festival, Debbie also reconnected with alumni Fabienne Glader and Mina Hobson Mazur, whose performances were warmly received. Charles Sewart, Purcell violinteacher,wasalsoinattendanceastheir ChamberMusicCoach.
It was wonderful to see members of the Purcellcommunityrepresentedsostronglyon theinternationalstage
ALBERTO MARTIN ENTRIALGO PRESENTS AT INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM
Alberto Martin Entrialgo, Purcell’s academic music teacher, recently presented a paper at theinternationalsymposiumRenegotiatingthe MusicalMasterwork,heldatLeuvenUniversity. His paper, ‘The Dangers of the Masterwork: Iberia as a Case Study’ , explored the role and relevance of the ‘masterwork’ concept in contemporary musicology, focusing on Albéniz’s Iberia. The symposium brought together leading scholars from institutions acrossEuropeandNorthAmerica
Thiswasanexcellentopportunitytocontribute to international academic discourse in music studies.
HEAD OF COMPOSITION ALISON COX RETIRES
Earlier in the year we announced the forthcoming retirement of Head of Composition, Alison Cox.Atrailblazinginnovatorinherfieldsince1988,Alisonhasdevotedaprofessionallifetimeto championing creativity, accessibility and opportunity for the widest possible range of young people.Withanenergythatcansometimesfeellikeadoubletsunami,Alisonhasensuredthat generationaftergenerationofyoungpeoplehavehad access to extraordinary compositional experiences. Sheis,withoutadoubt,thatrareandpreciousthing:a greatenabler.Hercareerhasbeenaselflessdevotion to the encouragement, development, support and empowerment of others. Her mantra has been that music belongs to everyone, that nobody should be scared of it and that everyone can (at some level) compose.Ithasattimesbeenbothaninnovativeand revolutionary voice that has not only guided what happenshereinschoolbuthasalsobeenfeltatthe highestlevelofnationalpolicymaking Alisonhasnotonlyshapedhowcompositionisthought about and taught here at Purcell, but has done so for both the music industry itself and the nation.Alisonleavesanimpressionthatwillneverbeforgottenandwillalwaysbeappreciated.
WeaskedAlisontoreflectonhertimeatPurcell...
How as your role evolved over the years? My role has evolved enormously! When I arrived at the school, I was employed as anacademicmusicteacher,withaspecial interest in composition. I taught music history,aural,harmonyandmusictheory aswellascompositionandIidentifiedall the young composers in the school with the help of Tim Stevenson who was already teaching at the school and was himselfacomposer.Betweenus,Timand I gave them lessons in lunch hours, free slots and evenings. The school soon appointed a peripatetic composition teacher, which immediately made a differencetoTim’sandmyworkloads.
Timlefttheschoolin1993tobecome
Head of Music at Notting Hill and Ealing Girls’ High School. He tragically died in 1994,andhisfamilydonatedmoneytothe school to establish the Tim Stevenson Composition Award for Young Composers, which is awarded annually to a deserving student. In 1994, The Purcell School’s CompositionDepartmentwasthefirst-ever dedicated composition department to be created in a specialist music school and I becameitsfirstHeadofDepartment,arole which I shall hold until 31 August 2026. Many exceptionally talented young composershavepassedthroughthedoors since1988andhavemadetheirmarkinthe profession.Iamenormouslyproudofthem all. st
What are your key achievements or contributions?
I have been told that the Composition Department is widely regarded as the mostoutstandinginnovativeandforwardlooking composition department for under-18sintheUK This(iftrue)feelslike an achievement. I have run hundreds of different creative projects over the years for our young composers in The Purcell School, many of the top London venues, throughout the rest of the UK and overseas. We have worked with some of the finest professional composers in the world, many of whom have visited the school to run seminars for our pupils; including all the Masters of the Queen’s and King’s Music since 2005. One of my favouriteprojectswasthe24-hourOpera, which was composed, rehearsed and performed entirely within a 24-hour period by our young composers and musicians at the school, and was even acknowledged by Norman Lebrecht. In 2012 we also collaborated with Hertfordshire Music Service and 5 Housing Associations who awarded us a total of £50,000 to run community projectsalloverthecountyaspartofthe 2012 Olympic Cultural programme. The PurcellSchool’sensemblesanditsalumni played a huge part in this, and we ran street performances, community concerts, school outreach projects with IMPULSE, early years projects and performances in care homes. I organised thiswholeprogrammeincollaboration
with Nick Denham, who was at this time the Partnerships Manager for HertfordshireMusicService.
I was also very proud of all the projects my composition teachers and I ran for PurcellComposers@60, which included Musical Trails, where pupils composed and performed 60-note pieces, Music in Unusual Spaces, which included a performance in the NMC lift, a performance in the caretaker’s workshop and the notorious performance by an IMPULSEjazzgroupintheschoolminibus, lavishly decorated and travelling at a snail’s pace round and round the school withthevandoorsopen
Another project as part of this highly enjoyable festival was ‘Purcell Parallels’ where Purcell School composition students collaborated with one of the professional composition teachers to each write a piece based upon an agreed brief. I worked with a student called MaddyChassar-Hesketh,andwechoseas our brief ‘a piece involving multiple participants’ Maddy composed ‘simultaneoUS’ , which included musical fragments composed by 60 people, ranging from professional composers, includingJudithWeir,JosephPhibbsand Caroline Shaw, to 4-year-old children. My own piece, Scrawl, included short fragments composed by 59 alumni composersandmyself.
Can you tell us about any memorable projects or initiatives that you led or supported? Othermemorableprojectsinclude‘1934’whereeachofour10youngcomposershadtowritea pieceinspiredbythemusicofacomposerwhowaseitherbornorwhodiedin1934(including Elgar,Delius,MaxwellDavies,Birtwistle,AnthonyGilbert...).
We also composed a ‘Commonwealth Pianorama’, including short piano pieces representing every one of the 52 Commonwealth countries (including a piece by the 17-year-old Jacob Collier) Theprojectnamewasapunonthewell-knownsteelpanfestival,‘Panorama’andour firstperformancewasinTrinidadandTobago,supportedbytheRoyalOver-SeasLeague.Later, we created and ran a ‘European Pianorama’ with 8 young pianists, who each persuaded a youngEuropeancomposertowriteashortpieceforthem.
What will you miss the most?
I shall GREATLY miss my dear, wonderful Composition and Academic Music Department colleaguesandotherstaffintheschoolwhohavebecomeclosepersonalfriends.Ishallmissall my pupils dreadfully, too. I shall miss helping the Year 12 students from IMPULSE grow into highlyproactiveyoungmusicleaders.IshallmissworkinginaschoolwhereIcomeineachday lookingforwardtomyearlymorningcuppawithDrFardon,wherewenearlyalwayshavetime to‘puttheworldtorights’for15minutes!
What are you most proud of?
Having been in this amazing school long enough to successfully understand, empathise with andsupportthetalented,complexyoungstudentsinsomanywaysasateacherandfacilitator IamproudofALLourcompositionstudents,pastandpresent.
What advice would you give to young composers?
•Ihaveoftentriedtoturn‘no’into‘yes’.Ifyouhaveavisionandaredetermined,diplomaticand daring,youmightbeabletoachieveitataschoollikePurcell
•Drawupforyourselfarealisticcomposingscheduleforeachweekduringtheschoolterm.This will help you to get pieces written. Composition usually includes about 95% perspiration and 5%inspiration.Don’twaitforinspirationorworryifyoudon’thaveit.Justquicklynotate,draw orwritedownmusicalideasanddon’tbeovercriticalatbeginning Youcanalwayschangeor removeunwantedideaslater.
•Identifythepeoplewholikeplayingyourmusicorwhowantyoutowritemusicforthem.
ThankyouandgoodlucktoAlison!
OnSunday14thJune,weweredelightedtohostthesecondPurcellBrassExperience, aprogrammeprovingtobeahugesuccess!
This vibrant new programme, created to support, encourage and develop young brass playersfromacrosstheUK,sawaround25youngbrassmusicianscomeandworkwith someofouroutstandingbrassfaculty–TonyCross,RuthMolinsandourHeadofWind, Brass&Percussion,MikeCavanagh.Theafternoonconsistedoffullensembleplaying, sectionalsandmasterclasses,beforeaninformalend-of-dayconcerttoafullCPHall!
PURCELL BRASS EXPERIENCE WAVES 2026 OUT NOW
Wearedelightedtosharethelatesteditionof Waves,ThePurcellSchool’smultimedia magazine.
Now in its fourth year, Waves celebrates the extraordinary creativity, curiosity and individuality of our students and staff. This year’s edition brings together an inspiring collection of artwork, photography, poetry, short stories, essays, musicology, composition,reviewsandpuzzles,reflectingtherichartisticandintellectuallifeofour community.
FromexplorationsofmusicalhistoryandnewlyrestoredtreasuresintheLisztRoom,to strikingvisualart,originalcreativewritingandthought-provokingreflectionsonculture, historyandidentity, Waves 2026 showcasestheremarkablebreadthoftalentacrossthe School.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Dr Daniel Fardon, Staff Editor, whose vision,dedicationandcommitmenthavemade Waves possible.Wearealsoimmensely grateful to our Student Editors, Carla (Year 12), Grace (Year 12) and Hannah (Year 12), who worked tirelessly to bring together this memorable edition. Their enthusiasm, creativityandhardworkhavehelpedcreateapublicationthattrulyreflectsthespiritof ThePurcellSchool.
We hope you enjoy reading this latest edition and discovering the many voices, ideas andachievementsthatmakeThePurcellSchoolsuchavibrantandcreativeplace.You candownload Waves here
ThereisaculturalcrisisunfoldingintheUK onethatthreatensthefutureofthearts both nationally and globally. Without investment in the early development of young musicians,werisklosingnotonlyindividualtalent,butalsotherichnessanddiversity ofourartisticheritage.
These formative years are critical, and the specialist teaching required cannot be delivered outside of dedicated institutions like ours. That is why we are appealing for yoursupport.
OurBursaryFundexiststosupportfamiliesfromdisadvantagedbackgroundswhoare facingimmediatefinancialhardship Formanyofourstudents,itisthedecidingfactor betweencontinuingtheireducationorhavingtowithdraw.
Every donation to the Bursary Fund goes directly to supporting those in our school community in the most profound need. The impact is immediate and life-changing. Yoursupporthelpsensurethatnoyoungmusicianhastoabandontheirfuturedueto financialbarriers.
Helpussafeguardthefutureofmusic.Pleaseconsidermakingadonationtoday.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY... (external concerts)
Lookingaheadtonextacademicyear,you'llfindbelowalistofourconfirmedexternal concerts.We'restillfinalisinganumberofexcitingperformanceopportunities,so thereareplentymoretocome!Pleasekeepaneyeoutforupdateswewillsendand seetheConcertspageonourwebsiteforthelatestinformation.
ST MARY LE STRAND
LUNCHTIME RECITAL OCTOBER
1:00PM
STRAND, LONDON, WC2R 1ES
HATFIELD HOUSE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL SCHOOLS CONCERT OCTOBER TBC
HATFIELD, HERTFORDSHIRE, AL9 5NQ
HATFIELD HOUSE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
OCTOBER
3:00PM
OCTOBER
6:00PM
RELAXED CONCERT WITH JULIAN BLISS AND GUY JOHNSTON
HATFIELD, HERTFORDSHIRE, AL9 5N
ST MICHAEL’S, HIGHGATE SATURDAYS AT SIX PIANO RECITAL
ST MICHAEL’S CHURCH, HIGHGATE, SOUTH GROVE, LONDON, N6 6BJ
ST PETER’S, ST ALBANS ORGAN RECITAL NOVEMBER
1:00PM ST PETER’S CHURCH, ST PETER’S STREET, ST ALBANS, AL1 3HG
NOVEMBER
1:00PM
WIGMORE HALL ALEX REDINGTON AND PURCELL STRINGS
36 WIGMORE STREET, LONDON, W1U 2BP NOVEMBER
3:00PM
BENSLOW MUSIC TRUST
PURCELL JAZZ DEPARTMENT
BENSLOW LANE, HITCHIN, SG4 9RB
NOVEMBER
1:00PM
NOVEMBER
2:30PM
NOVEMBER
12:00PM
JANUARY
1:00PM
JANUARY
1:00PM
JANUARY
6.30PM
FEBRUARY
1:00PM
FEBRUARY
6.30PM
UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ELGAR HALL
MOZART SERENADE IN C MINOR FOR WIND, K388
CEDAR’S RETIREMENT VILLAGE
JAZZ AND COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT
FINCH GREEN, CHORLEYWOOD, RICHMANSWORTH, WD3 5GL
LUNCHTIME CONCERT ST JAMES, MUSWELL HILL LUNCHTIME RECITAL
ST JAMES CHURCH, ST JAMES’ LANE, MUSWELL HILL, LONDON, N10 3DB
LUNCHTIME CONCERT AT ST JAMES, SUSSEX GARDENS LUNCHTIME RECITAL
ST JAMES CHURCH, SUSSEX GARDENS, LONDON, W2 3UD
ST BARTHOLOMEW THE GREAT, SMITHFIELD CITY MUSIC SOCIETY LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES
ADRIAN BUTTERFIELD, DIRECTOR
BACH BRANDENBURG CONCERTO NO 1
VILLA LOBOS BACHIANAS BRASILEIRAS NO 5
OLD CHURCH, STOKE NEWINGTON
HACKNEY MUSIC LIVE SERIES
HAYDN STRING QUARTETS OP 20
LEEDS CONSERVATOIRE
SYMPHONIC WIND ORCHESTRA
MIKE CAVANAGH, CONDUCTOR
LEEDS CONSERVATOIRE, 3 QUARRY HILL, LEEDS, LS2 7PD
ST GILES, CRIPPLEGATE
CHAMBER CHOIR AND CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
YOKO AFI, CELLO
PAUL HOSKINS, CONDUCTOR
FORE STREET, BARBICAN, LONDON, EC2Y 8DA
MARCH
1:00PM
MARCH
1:00PM
MARCH
8:00PM
MARCH TBC
MARCH
7:30PM
APRIL
4:00PM
APRIL
1:00PM
MAY
1:00PM
LUNCHTIME RECITAL AT ST MARY LE STRAND CHAMBER CHOIR
STRAND, LONDON, WC2R 1ES
WIGMORE HALL
MIKE CAVANAGH AND PURCELL WIND & BRASS
36 WIGMORE STREET, LONDON, W1U 2BP
BERKHAMSTED JAZZ FESTIVAL
PURCELL JAZZ ENSEMBLES FEATURING MARTIN SHAW
CIVIC CENTRE, HIGH STREET, BERKHAMSTEAD, HP4 3HD
ROYAL CONSERVATOIRE OF SCOTLAND
RCS PIANO FESTIVAL
MAY 1:15PM
ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC, DUKE’S HALL
SHLOMI SHAHAF, VIOLIN
TOM FEATHERSTONEHAUGH, CONDUCTOR
1-5 YORK GATE, MARYLEBONE ROAD, LONDON, NW1 5HT
RAZUMOVSKY TRUST, KENSAL RISE
SENIOR CONCERTO COMPETITION GRAND FINAL
56 COLLAGE ROAD, LONDON, NW10 5ET
LUNCHTIME CONCERT AT ST JAMES, SUSSEX GARDENS
LUNCHTIME RECITAL
ST JAMES CHURCH, SUSSEX GARDENS, LONDON, W2 3UD
WIGMORE HALL
WILLIAM FONG AND PURCELL PIANISTS
36 WIGMORE STREET, LONDON, W1U 2BP
SUTTON HOUSE, HACKNEY
HACKNEY MUSIC LIVE SERIES
WILLIAM FONG AND PURCELL PIANISTS
MAY
3:00PM
MAY
TBC
BENSLOW AFTERNOON CONCERT
BENSLOW LANE, HITCHIN, SG4 9RB
CASTLE RETIREMENT VILLAGE
THE MANSION, BRITWELL DRIVE, BERKHAMSTED, HP4 2GS
JUNE
1:00PM
JULY
7:30PM
REGENT HALL
MILTON COURT LUNCHTIME CONCERT
1 MILTON STREET, LONDON, EC2Y 9BH
If you share in our vision for what an exceptional future for music looks like and believe that the education of the next generation of world-class musicians must be a priority, please scan the QR code or for more information, please contact Chris Harbour, Director of Development on c.harbour@purcell-school.org or 01923331131.
AldenhamRoad,Bushey,HertfordshireWD232TS
Telephone:01923331100
Email:info@purcell-school.org www.purcell-school.org