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Autumn 2018
Concert Guide
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The Purcell School based in Bushey, Hertfordshire, is Britain’s
oldest specialist school for talented young musicians. It is a
co-educational boarding and day school for ages 10-18, and
celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2012. The School holds the
UNESCO Mozart Gold Medal in recognition of its unique contribution
to music, education and international culture. The School’s Patron,
HRH The Prince of Wales, accepted the award at a special ceremony
at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
“... it gives me great hope for the future of the music
profession when I hear what these young people are capable of.” Sir
Simon Rattle CBE, President of The Purcell School An education at
The Purcell School is available to everyone. Entry is by musical
audition only. The School exists to provide young musicians of
exceptional promise and talent with the best possible teaching and
environment in which to fulfil their potential, irrespective of
their financial background. The School is funded by the
Government’s Music and Dance Scheme and the School’s own
scholarships and bursaries fund.
The curriculum allows pupils to study a full range of subjects
with a special emphasis on Music. Being on the edge of London, the
School takes advantage of all that the city has to oer, but enjoys
a semi-rural environment. The proximity to London gives access to
the
eminent international musicians who comprise the instrumental
teaching faculty. The School has world-class facilities;
state-of-the-art classrooms, a professional recording studio,
superb practice rooms and a recital hall with exceptional
acoustics.
Pupils are given outstanding opportunities for performances. We
hold lunchtime concerts every weekday, and all pupils perform at
these. Chamber music and orchestral concerts take place regularly,
and every year performances are given at the Southbank Centre and
Wigmore Hall. Visiting conductors have included Sir Simon Rattle,
Paul Daniel and Karina Canellakis. In recent years masterclasses
have been given by Vladimir Ashkenazy, Zakhar Bron, Andras Schi,
Alina Ibragimova and Anne Murray among others.
All pupils are encouraged to share their love and passion for
music with the wider community, be it participating in one of our
many evening performances, free lunchtime concerts at the School,
or in our UK and overseas outreach programmes.
Most Purcell pupils go on to music college and some take up
places at Oxbridge or other universities. We are very proud of our
former students who have enjoyed national or international success.
Just a few of our distinguished alumni include Oliver Knussen CBE;
Catrin Finch; BBC Young Musician of the Year winners, Nicholas
Daniel, Lara Melda, and Martin James
Bartlett.www.purcell-school.org
An Education with Music at its Heart
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SeptemberWEDNESDAY 19 SEPTEMBER, 7:00pmVOILES DÉCOUVERTSThe
Purcell School I Recital RoomAdmission is free A concert of music
inspired by Debussy’s piano prélude Voiles. New music by Middle
School composers, directed by Purcell’s Composer-in-Association,
Robert Saxton.
SATURDAY 22 SEPTEMBER, 12:00pmLUNCHTIME CONCERTSt. James’
Church, High Street, BusheyHertfordshire, WD23 1BDAdmission is free
Programme to include movements from Brahms Violin Sonata Op. 78,
Jolivet’s Fantaisie Impromptu for saxophone, and Rachmaninov’s
Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42 for piano.
WEDNESDAY 3 OCTOBER, 7:30pmPURCELL SOLOISTS St Mary’s, Perivale,
Perivale Ln, Perivale, Greenford, UB6 8SSAdmission is free with
retiring collectionThe programme will include works for piano to
include Liszt’s Mephisto Waltz, Arias by Mozart and Conti,
movements from Vivaldi’s Oboe Concerto, Schubert’s Arpeggione
Sonata for cello, and more.
THURSDAY 4 OCTOBER, 7:00pm CONCERT FOR FRIENDS OF THE PURCELL
SCHOOL The Purcell School I Constance Pilkington HallAdmission is
free For more information about becoming a Friend, please contact
Emma McGrath: 01923 331131/ [email protected] to
include a performance by the current Friends Scholar, followed by a
reception.
WEDNESDAY 10 OCTOBER, 1:00pmLUNCHTIME RECITAL Three Rivers Music
SocietyBaptist Church, High Street Rickmansworth, Herts. WD3 1EH
Tickets: £6 at the door. Free for under 25s.For more information
please visit www.trms.elgar.orgAn hour of music to include the
first movement of Gregson’s Trumpet Concerto, Ravel La Valse for
piano, Lamentatio for solo cello by Sollima and Burton’s Sonatina
for flute and piano.
WEDNESDAY 10 OCTOBER, 7:00pmPERFORMANCE PLATFORM: SENIOR SCHOOL
The Purcell School I Recital RoomAdmission is free
October
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OctoberTHURSDAY 11 OCTOBER, 7:00pmKOREAN AND ENGLISH FOLKSONG
EXPLORED The Purcell School I Recital RoomAdmission is free Pieces
composed by Purcell pupils based on Korean and British folk songs,
bringing both cultures together through music. Featuring Korean
instrumentalists, including special guest Joohee Shin
(daegeum).
SATURDAY 13 OCTOBER, 7:30pmEVENING RECITALSt Mary the Virgin
Church, Weston Turville, Aylesbury, Bucks HP22 5SHTickets at the
door: £10 for adults, free for under 18’s, refreshments and a glass
of wine (adults) included
SUNDAY 21 OCTOBER3:00pm Matinee
PURCELL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAWatford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road,
Watford, WD17 3JN
Ravel – Mother Goose Suite Wieniawski – Violin Concerto No. 2
Mahler – Symphony No. 4
Conductor: Douglas Boyd Violin: Ilai Avni Soprano: Madeleine
Bradbury Rance
Tickets: £13.50*, £9.50*School children: £5.00**Prices shown are
inclusive of any applicable booking fee. Fee-free booking for
Priority members; Groups of 8+ please call 01923 474124 to buy
fee-freeBox O¢ice: 01923 571 102 watfordcolosseum.co.uk
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NovemberWEDNESDAY 7 NOVEMBER, 7:00pmPERFORMANCE PLATFORM: LOWER
SCHOOLThe Purcell School I Constance Pilkington HallAdmission is
free
THURSDAY 8 NOVEMBER, 2:00pmPURCELL BAROQUE ENSEMBLEThe London
International Exhibition of Early MusicQuaker Meeting House, 2 Lawn
Terrace, Blackheath, London SE3 9LLTickets:
www.earlymusicshop.comFeaturing BBC Young Musician Category
Finalist, Eliza Haskins in movements from David Gordon’s concerto
for recorder, strings, harpsichord and percussion, entitled
‘Romanesque’. The concert will also include works by Schmelzer and
CPE Bach.
SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER, 7:30pmPIANO RECITALStanborough Park
Church, Watford WD25 9JLAdmission is free
WEDNESDAY 14 NOVEMBER, 7:00pmPERFORMANCE PLATFORM: MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Purcell School I Recital RoomAdmission is free
WEDNESDAY 21 NOVEMBER, 7:00pmPERFORMANCE PLATFORM: LOWER
SCHOOLThe Purcell School I Constance Pilkington HallAdmission is
free
THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER, 7:00pmBUDAPEST CONNECTIONA Hungarian
Cultural Exchange The Purcell School I Recital RoomAdmission is
free A project inspired by Hungarian music and cultural traditions,
influenced by Hungarian composer and conductor Peter Eötvös.
TUESDAY 27 NOVEMBER, 1:00pmPURCELL SOLOISTS St
Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JJ Admission
is free, suggested donation of £3.50
WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER, 7:00pmPERFORMANCE PLATFORM: SENIOR SCHOOL
The Purcell School I Recital RoomAdmission is free
SUNDAY 18 NOVEMBER, 7:30pm SENIOR SHOWCASE RECITALSWigmore Hall,
36 Wigmore Street, London W1U 2BPTickets: £15*Telephone: 020 7935
2141 Online: www.wigmore-hall.org.uk*Ticket bookings are subject to
a £2.00 booking fee. This fee covers the whole booking and is not
per ticket.Music for marimba, violin, and piano, by Ravel,
Kreisler, Sibelius, and more.
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The Purcell School Fundraising Gala Dinner
Tuesday 27th November 2018Drapers’ Hall,
The Drapers’ CompanyThrogmorton Avenue, London EC2N 2DQ
Please join us for an evening of fine dining and wonderful music
to raise vital funds for
The Purcell School for Young Musicians
6.45pm Drinks Reception7.30pm Three Course Dinner and Music
11.00pm Carriages Dress: Black Tie
Tickets £150 each. Please contact Ruth Blake on 01923 331131
or [email protected] to reserve your place
DecemberTUESDAY 4 DECEMBER, 4:00pmYEAR 11 FESTIVE TEA PARTY The
Purcell School I Constance Pilkington HallAdmission is free A
celebratory seasonal concert with Christmas music, and audience
carols, for the local community, organised by Year 11 students
WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER, 7:00pmPERFORMANCE PLATFORM: MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Purcell School I Recital RoomAdmission is free
SUNDAY 9 DECEMBER, 6:30pmCAROLS BY CANDLELIGHTPURCELL CHAMBER
CHOIR St. James’ Church, High Street, BusheyHertfordshire, WD23
1BDAdmission is free with a retiring collection Join our Chamber
Choir for an evening of Christmas carols by candlelight in the
beautiful setting of 700 year-old St James’ Church in Bushey.
MONDAY 10 DECEMBER, 7:00pmWINTER JAZZ CONCERT The Purcell School
I Constance Pilkington HallAdmission is free Featuring the music of
Tom Richards, arranger, musical director and saxophonist/keyboard
player for Jamie Cullum. Tom has toured and recorded with Blur,
Kylie Minogue, Gary Barlow, Robbie Williams, Tim Minchin and
Michael Bublé.
FRIDAY 14 DECEMBER, 3:00pmCHRISTMAS CONCERT The Purcell School I
Constance Pilkington HallAdmission is free with a retiring
collection Join Purcell pupils and sta for a concert of joyful
Christmas music followed by refreshments.
THURSDAY 29 NOVEMBER, 7:00pmNEW MUSICComposers’ Concert The
Purcell School I Recital RoomAdmission is freeExciting new music by
talented young composers of all ages throughout the school.
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SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2019, 7:30pmSENIOR SHOWCASE RECITALSMilton
Court Concert Hall
MONDAY 29 APRIL 2019, 7:45pmFREDDY MORGAN PIANO RECITALS Purcell
Room, Southbank
WEDNESDAY 26 JUNE 2019, 1:00pmPURCELL CHAMBER ENSEMBLES Wigmore
Hall
Save the Dates TICKETS ON SALE SOON!
MONDAY 25 MARCH 2019, 7:30pm
PURCELL SCHOOL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAConductor: Natalia Luis
BassaHarpist: Cherry GeRachmaninov Symphonic Dances, op. 45
Ginastera Harp Concerto, op. 25 Marquez Danzon No. 2
Cadogan Hall5 Sloane Terrace
London SW1X 9DQ
Phot
ogra
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Sim
on P
auly
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Nurturing the Musicians of the Future - Friends of The Purcell
SchoolHave you thought about becoming a Friend of The Purcell
School? Whether you play a musical instrument yourself or simply
enjoy music for relaxation, this is a real opportunity to touch the
lives of some very remarkable young people.Friends receive a pair
of complimentary tickets to our annual symphony orchestra concert,
discounted tickets to all other concerts, as well as a
complimentary ticket for masterclasses held at the
School.Masterclasses have recently been given by András Schi,
Robert Cohen and Charles Rosen.
The annual membership fee is £60 (£40 concession for those over
60 or under 25 years of age), or £80 for joint membership.For more
information on joining the Friends scheme contact :Emma McGrath The
Purcell School, Aldenham Road Bushey, Hertfordshire WD23 2TS
[email protected] Tel 01923 331131
Keep in touchTo receive the Concert Guide and updates and oers
by email, please send your full contact details to
[email protected]
How to find us
Free Lunchtime Concerts These take place during term time in the
Constance Pilkington Hall on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and
Fridays. at 12:20pm. Please contact the Concerts O¢ice to check
that the concert is taking place: 01923 331109 / 38Information is
correct at the time of publication — July 2018. Full concert
listings and up to date information can be found on our
website:www. purcell-school.org @PurcellSchool
By Car: Leave the M1 at junction 5, then at the roundabout take
the exit onto the A41 (signposted C. London). At the next
roundabout, take the third exit onto Hartspring Lane – B462
(signposted Watford (South), Oxhey). The Purcell School is half a
mile on this road, on the right. Once inside the School Gates,
follow signs for parking.
By Rail: There are regular services to Bushey and Watford
Junction mainline stations and Stanmore and Watford Met tube
stations. We recommend getting a taxi from these stations to the
School – fares range from £6-10.
Recital Room: located on the first floor of the New Music Centre
which is situated at the rear of the original Victorian building.
Ample parking is available in the School car park adjacent to
Bushey Mill Lane with limited disabled parking immediately outside
the New Music Centre. When entering from Aldenham Road, turn right
and follow the drive around to the rear. Fork right to reach the
car park.
Constance Pilkington Hall: located at the front of the main
School building. Please park in the Bushey Mill Lane Car Park or,
when indicated, the Metropolitan Police Club car park opposite the
School.
