Prospectus 2 / The Purcell School Prospectus Nurturing Talent CONTENTS 5 Welcome Making Music 7 A Brief Background 8 At Home Enriching Lives 10 Music Overview 14 Strings 17 Keyboard 18 Brass, Percussion, Harp and Voice 21 Woodwind 22 Jazz 25 Composition 26 The Core Music Programme 28 Academic Music 31 Music Technology 32 Academic Study 37 Pastoral Care 38 Life AŠer The Purcell School 41 Applications 44 Fees and Financial Assistance 46 How to Find Us

‘I am blown away by the commitment, skill and infectious energy of the remarkable young musicians Photography supplied courtesy of Chloe Alice Haynes, Aimee-Deborah Peters, Mydas Digital Photography at The Purcell School.’ and Innermedia. Sir Simon Rattle OM CBE, President Patron

The Purcell School Prospectus / 3 4 / The Purcell School Prospectus Welcome Nurturing the Next Generation of Musicians ‘Pupils will fl ourish in the specialised environment of The Purcell School.’ Vladimir Ashkenazy, Patron

The Purcell School is Britain’s oldest specialist The School aš ords ideal opportunities for ‘The School is a vibrant place music school. Situated on the outskirts practising, performing and developing of London in Bushey, Hertfordshire, the musicianship, while also providing a balanced where creativity and discipline go co-educational boarding and day school is academic education which helps to prepare hand in hand, providing specialist home to around 180 musically giŠ ed young our students for life-long careers as musicians. training for musicians of the people, all of whom are passionate about The high quality of teaching and outstanding future, alongside an excellent fulfilling their talent. pastoral support is further complemented by a nurturing environment in which students general education.’ We aim to provide young musicians of can form stimulating and mutually supportive Sir Simon Rattle OM CBE, President Patron remarkable ability and promise, from relationships with similarly giŠ ed young people. all backgrounds, with the best possible teaching and environment in which to fulfil their potential. We deliver the very highest world-class musical instruction and hold the UNESCO Mozart Gold Medal in recognition of the School’s unique contribution to music, education and international culture.

The Purcell School Prospectus / 5 This image: Students of The Purcell School, Harrow Image top right: Rosemary Rapaport Image bottom right: Irene Forster

6 / The Purcell School Prospectus A Brief Background A History of The Purcell School

Rosemary Rapaport and Irene Forster founded The School has been in Bushey ever since ‘The School has developed the School in 1962 at Conway Hall in central and, over 50 years later, is considered a London under the original name of the Central national treasure. It ošers an exceptional from very modest beginnings Tutorial School for Young Musicians. The music education, in a creative and nurturing into a sizeable school, which School later moved to Morley College, then to environment, for students from around the is justifiably proud of its place Hampstead, and on to a large Victorian house United Kingdom and all over the world. in the provision of specialist in Harrow on the Hill. As it continued to grow and develop, the School changed its name in education for some of our most 1973 to The Purcell School, aŠer the English talented musical children.’ composer Henry Purcell, and in 1997 relocated HRH The Prince of Wales, Royal Patron to the site of the former Royal Caledonian School campus in Bushey, Hertfordshire.

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At Home

Being on the edge of London, the School takes The School’s seventeen acres of Hertfordshire ‘For children who possess that advantage of all that the capital has to ošer, greenery have also made significant while also enjoying the semi-rural environment. developments to the campus possible. desire to learn music, to perform, In 2007, for example, a new boarding house and have the commitment to The close proximity to London, as a global and a state-of-the-art Music Centre were practice, the School provides centre for music, is of enormous benefit to opened. These additions create a fascinating an environment where budding the School and students. The immediacy of and harmonious blend of solid Edwardian the capital provides access to the eminent and sensitive postmodern architecture. musicians can thrive.’ international musicians who comprise Built for specialist use, the facilities have Purcell Parent the instrumental teaching faculty, ašords enriched the musical lives of our students and outstanding performance opportunities at teaching staš alike. many of London’s principal cultural venues, and stimulates successful applications to the country’s foremost music colleges and conservatoires.

8 / The Purcell School Prospectus The Purcell School Prospectus / 9 Music Overview A Programme of Musical Excellence

The Purcell School aims to provide a stimulating Students musical lives are cared for by their ‘The School’s supportive family and challenging musical environment, at Head of Department who, in collaboration with the heart of which is an individually tailored the student and instrumental teacher, will craŠ atmosphere allows pupils to programme for every student. a bespoke programme of study to best suit the immerse themselves in their individual’s needs and ašord the flexibility to musical studies alongside We strive to ensure that the balance of musical enable daily practice. Disciplines of Academic other talented young musicians, studies and the weighting of musical and Music, including aural, theory, harmony, academic work are balanced to suit each composition, music history and analysis, and to get closer to the heart individual boy and girl. support and broaden students' instrumental of their music.’ studies, and are a key part of the School’s Vladimir Ashkenazy, Patron There are six Instrumental Music departments holistic approach to a musical education. within the School, each led by an experienced Head of Department: Our expert specialist teachers, many of whom also teach at the London conservatoires, 1. Strings have considerable experience working with 2. Keyboard motivated young musicians and will develop 3. Brass, Percussion, Harp & Voice individual practice goals and strategies for 4. Woodwind students. We also provide practice supervisors, 5. Composition themselves graduate musicians, to support 6. Jazz ešicient and ešective practice.

10 / The Purcell School Prospectus ‘The combination of characteristics of the School is a winning one: respect 6 57 3 for the individual, high educational Instrumental Instrumental Teachers Practice Supervisors standards, the stressing of practice Music Departments discipline, and the chance to make chamber music and orchestral performance to the highest standards.’ , Oboist and Alumnus

The Purcell School Prospectus / 11 Music Overview

Regular masterclasses, recitals, courses and Our Music Centre provides excellent ‘I don’t think that I would have collaborative projects with celebrated visiting facilities. A state-of-the-art recording studio, musicians further enhance our students’ recital hall, computerised composition developed musically as much as instrumental studies and ošer invaluable classrooms, and a suite of dedicated teaching I have, had I not come to this exposure to the wider music world. and practice rooms ošer ideal surroundings in School. The excellent tuition and which our students learn and flourish. performance opportunities make They benefit from an enriched musical programme that includes chamber music, Each department maintains close links with for an incredibly focused and orchestral playing, choirs, jazz and music colleges and conservatoires around the musical environment.’ recitals. Performance opportunities are country; all have excellent records of entry and Purcell Student frequent and varied, and can range from daily of securing scholarships. Accolades from the lunchtime concerts in School to formal recitals music world are fittingly similar, and students at London’s leading performing venues. There are regularly the recipients of prestigious and are, for example, numerous opportunities fiercely competitive awards. to audition for the chance to play with the School’s orchestras and give solo recitals at prestigious venues such as the Royal Festival, Cadogan, Wigmore and Milton Court Halls.

12 / The Purcell School Prospectus ‘Purcell is a truly unique environment, full of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, a mix of vibrant 13,875 180 characters from all over the globe and a mutual Music lessons every year Performances every year appreciation of music.’ Purcell Student

The Purcell School Prospectus / 13 Strings Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass and Guitar

Our thriving Strings department nurtures Furthermore, students can attend the School’s Recent Masterclass Musicians string players as they work towards acquiring Chamber Music Academy which benefits Atar Arad | Remus Azoitei | Sandy Baillie a solid technical foundation and, as well as from the immense experience of members Marius Bedeschi | Zakhar Bron developing their skills as soloists, become of Chilingirian, Endellion, and Elias Quartets, Luis Cabrera | Robert Cohen accustomed to working as part of a group. to name but a few. String masterclasses take Graham Devine | The Elias Quartet place regularly with outstanding visiting artists Natalia Gutman | Alina Ibragimova Chamber music and orchestral playing are key such as Zakhar Bron, Natalia Gutman and | Louise Lansdown to the musical education of our string players. Craig Ogden. Natalia Lomeiko | Craig Ogden The School runs a Junior String Orchestra, Gabriele Ragghianti | Declan Zapala a Chamber Orchestra and a Symphony Over and above the usual School orchestral Orchestra in support of this, and all students and concerto opportunities, selected string in Year 9 and above are given the opportunity ensembles will perform in our annual to play chamber music in weekly coaching Chamber Music Concert, and senior string sessions. players can audition to perform a short recital in one of our solo instrumentalists’ concerts.

14 / The Purcell School Prospectus The Purcell School Prospectus / 15 87 3 10 22 1 7 31 3 1 Piano Fleet Fazioli Steinway Grotrian-Steinweg Shigeru Kawai Yamaha Harpsichords Johannes Kawai Electronic Organ

16 / The Purcell School Prospectus Keyboard Piano, Organ and Harpsicord

First study pianists comprise approximately a domestic performance tours when possible. Recent Masterclass Musicians quarter of the School’s student body, making Notable destinations have been Italy, to Bernard d’Ascoli | Dmitri Alexeev the Keyboard department a dynamic and perform at the Fazioli Concert Hall in Sacile, Vladimir Ashkenazy | Paul Badura-Skoda inspiring place in which to study. and Scotland, to play at and collaborate with Federico Colli | Philip Fowke the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland as part of Martin Jones | Angela Hewitt In addition to providing expert individual tuition, their International Piano Festival. Vanessa Latarche | Dominique Merlet the department runs weekly faculty classes to Hamish Milne | Ronan O’Hora allow pianists the opportunity to come together, The faculty has a strong international outlook, Vladimir Ovchinnikov | Andras Schiš share ideas and learn from each other. Student designed to prepare students for life as Nina Svetlanova | Fou T’song progression is further enhanced by regular professional musicians, which has, for example, Nataliya Trull | Uta Weyand masterclasses given by internationally renowned seen Alim Beisembayev become the first winner pianists, and an annual piano course which of the Van Cliburn Junior Competition while culminates in a concert involving all Middle and a student at the School and triumph as an Upper School pianists. alumnus in the 2017 Jaques Samuel Intercollegiate Piano Competition. There are many standout performance Alexander Ullman, a Purcell alumnus, won occasions for pianists. Auditions are held each the 11th International Franz Liszt Piano year to secure the chance to perform a piano Competition, and , then recital in a prominent London venue, and the a student at the School, was the winner of the department undertakes international and 2014 BBC Young Musician of the Year.

The Purcell School Prospectus / 17 Brass, Percussion, Harp and Voice Trumpet, Trombone, , Timpani and Percussion, Harp and Voice

The Brass, Percussion, Harp and Voice family-group ensembles which provide Recent Masterclass Musicians department provides exciting opportunities additional performance opportunities, and for Henry Baldwin | Alison Balsom for learning and performing, with a world-class first and second study voice pupils there are Adrian Bending | Nigel Black team of instrumental teachers who are leaders chamber choirs and many solo performance Phil Cobb | Oliver Cox | Mark David in solo, chamber and orchestral performance. opportunities. Tim Evans-Jones | Byron Fulcher Owen Gunnell | Patrick King Each student’s journey is individual, and Many of our students are members of the Arthur Lipner | Kevin Price the department ošers rich and diverse National Youth Orchestra (NYO) and National | Rex Richardson programmes for these instruments which Children’s Orchestra (NCO), and attend Junior Marisa Robles | Adrian Spillett develop students both as solo players and as conservatoire departments on a Saturday. flexible ensemble members – a combination of qualities that will be essential for their future success.

Players from this department form a vital part of the Chamber and Symphony Orchestras, as well as chamber groups and the Contemporary Ensemble. In addition to mixed chamber music there are several

18 / The Purcell School Prospectus The Purcell School Prospectus / 19 20 / The Purcell School Prospectus Woodwind Flute, Oboe, Recorder, Bassoon, Clarinet and Saxophone

The Woodwind department at The Purcell Frequent visits and recitals from leading Recent Masterclass Musicians School is stašed by an outstanding team musicians further enhance the department’s Sarah Burnett | Nicholas Daniel drawn from Britain’s finest woodwind players, dedication to encouraging students to Kate Hill | Chi-Yu Mo | Naomi Sullivan several of whom also are professors at leading challenge their own playing and explore new conservatoires and all of whom share a clear performance styles. focus to help prepare students for a career in and around music performance. The department holds an annual Woodwind Day, which is open to young woodwind players With chamber music at the heart of the of Grade 6 standard and above. Coached Woodwind department, students play a key by members of the faculty, the workshops, role in the School’s orchestras and baroque ensemble playing and performance classes ensembles, as well as regularly performing provide a valuable insight for prospective in family groupings. They also play a vital students into this enthusiastic, supportive and role in the contemporary ensembles and vibrant department. oŠen collaborate with players from other departments on new projects. This diverse range of performance opportunities allows students to gain experience as soloists, chamber musicians and orchestral players.

The Purcell School Prospectus / 21 Jazz Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Piano, Guitar, Drum Kit and Voice

Jazz is an established and flourishing play in some of London’s most renowned Jazz Recent Masterclass Musicians department. Renowned within and outside the venues, including Pizza Express Dean Street Laurence Cottle | Geoš Gascoyne School, it comprises an inspirational team of and the 606 Club. Gareth Lockrane | Gerard Presencer experienced teachers and performers who are Orphy Robinson | Stan Sulzman uniquely placed to oversee the development The department is a great gateway into Clark Tracey | Troyka of creative musicians. studying jazz at conservatoire level, and students from the Jazz department regularly Ensemble provision is an important part of the achieve considerable success. In 2016, for Jazz programme. As well as the School’s senior example, first study jazz trumpeter Alexandra and junior improvisation groups, students Ridout won the prestigious BBC Young can participate in ad hoc ensemble-based Musician Jazz Award, and jazz students are groupings and become part of The Purcell oŠen sought aŠer as members of the National School’s celebrated Big Band. The Big Band Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) and the National gives non-jazz specialists a chance to perform Youth Jazz Collective (NYJC). Recent graduates alongside first study jazz players, and has of the department include the multiple provided students with the opportunity to Grammy Award winning jazz pianist work with eminent jazz players such as Steve Jacob Collier, Kit Downes, Jake Labazzi Waterman, Troyka and Stan Sulzman. Jazz and Seth Tackaberry. students will also be given the opportunity to

22 / The Purcell School Prospectus The Purcell School Prospectus / 23 24 / The Purcell School Prospectus Composition

The Purcell School is able to ošer exceptional and performances in collaboration with Recent Masterclass opportunities for young composers who professional organisations such as the Saatchi Composers will thrive in the stimulating and creative Gallery, UK Beijing Arts Association and the Joaquim Badia Arumi | Lloyd Coleman environment of the Composition department. UK’s music conservatoires. Senior students are Philip Dutton | Shiva Feshareki ašorded the opportunity to submit an original Graham Fitkin | Karin Henricksen First study composers receive up to two composition for performance in the School’s Joy Hill | David Horne | Emily Howard hours of individual tuition in composition annual Symphony Orchestra Concert. James Hoyle | Haris Kittos per week, alongside an agreed programme William Mival | Music Oš Canvas of instrumental study appropriate to their As a core component of the Academic Music Roxanna Panufnik | Polo Piatti individual needs. Regular seminars, workshops, curriculum, students from Years 6 to 10 receive Matt Rogers | Robert Saxton group discussions and meetings with young regular class tuition in composition. Composers Lucie Treacher | Judith Weir and celebrated composers enable students to are taught the technique of developing ideas in Dr Cheng Yu learn more about new music, the contemporary a coherent way and are exposed to a variety of scene and how to create opportunities for their methods and styles. work to be heard and appreciated. Celebrated alumni of the Composition Composition students are encouraged to department include Oliver Knussen, submit their work for consideration in national Dru Masters, Simon Bainbridge, Jacob Collier, festivals and competitions, and to participate in Mica Levi and Alissa Firsova. a wide range of composers’ projects, concerts

The Purcell School Prospectus / 25 The Core Music Programme An Education with Music at its Heart

In addition to instrumental teaching, The rich musical awareness. Similarly, we aim to ‘To be surrounded by so many Purcell School provides a general musical provide them with all the tools necessary for literacy coupled with the practical experience of success in the highly volatile and competitive people who share the same interest the great musical masterworks appropriate to world of music. We ensure that they are as you is a wonderful feeling, each student’s specialist study. able to promote themselves in the wider and it has helped my playing and world and online, that they possess a sound musicality to improve massively.’ Analysis, aural training, music theory and understanding and experience of organising Purcell Student history of music are integral parts of the musical events, and have a comprehensive School’s curriculum, and it is through the awareness of the range of roles available teaching of these subjects and skills that our to them. students are able to develop a broad and

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Academic Music

The goal of the Academic Music department In the Sixth Form, students work towards ‘Purcell enables me to be immersed is to assist students in becoming informed, the Cambridge Pre-U qualifications in Music imaginative and enquiring musicians. It aims and have lessons in analysis, music history, in a musically rich environment to provide a wide range of musical skills and to harmony, composition and aural. They are alongside like-minded people who enable students to use these skills creatively. coached in preparation for Music College entry share a mutual passion.’ tests, and Upper Sixth students who intend to Purcell Student In addition to aural and composition classes, all go to university are given a series of lessons Year 6 to 9 students study a series of set works to prepare them for entrance examinations which form the basis of creative and analytical and interviews. Each year a number of projects designed to expand their general pupils go on to read Music at university, musical knowledge and inform their practical including Oxford, Cambridge, Durham and instrumental studies. Students are entered for King’s College, London. IGCSE at the end of Year 10. In Year 11 students undertake an intense harmony course and an The School was awarded the ISM Gold in-depth study of larger scale works. They also Certificate in Music for GCSE attainment, and work on various creative projects, including were confirmed as ranking top in the UK’s training in workshop leadership, culminating Academic Music results. in outreach performances in local schools. In addition, they undertake an introductory course in Music Technology.

28 / The Purcell School Prospectus Dmitri Alexeev No. 1 100% ISM Ranked School A* or A GSCE Music for IGCSE Music in 2016 ISM 2017

The Purcell School Prospectus / 29 2 2 6 2 1 2 Recording Apple Mac AV Recording PA Systems Mobile Automated Studios Computer Links Recording Recording Suites Unit Systems

30 / The Purcell School Prospectus

Music Technology

The Music Technology department generates involving the use of technology are taught ‘Purcell is a truly and fosters creativity in students using the lower down the School, and all students have latest recording and computer technology. access to the computer rooms throughout the unique environment, full of day for their individual work. once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, With six AV links allowing the recording of our best pianos direct to the studios and all concerts Composition for film is a growing feature of the a mix of vibrant characters from in the School being captured direct to the two department’s work. Performances of new music all over the globe and a mutual automated recording systems, music technology for silent film, composed and conducted by appreciation of music.’ touches on many areas of music making. students, are a regular feature in the concerts Phelan Burgoyne, Drummer, Composer diary. It is the School’s two annual Sound Image The course covers all aspects of creative studio and Alumnus Movement concerts, however, which enable work including stereo ambient recording, students to use technology most creatively and multi-track recording, electro-acoustic music, across multiple genres. These concerts, and the arranging, studio engineering, producing and facilities of the department, were the main outlet composing for film. Students have access to for the work of several notable alumni, including cutting edge technology and are equipped Jacob Collier and Mica Levi, as well as many with essential knowledge for future work in the other students who have gone on to study on studio-music environment. electronic music courses at the Guildhall and the The subject is taught at AS and A Level Royal Scottish Academy of Music. Many alumni following the Edexcel syllabus and students are working as producers, film composers, and are encouraged to work well beyond the briefs sound engineers in the industry. and limits set by the board. Special courses

The Purcell School Prospectus / 31 Academic Study An Inspiring Academic Programme

The Purcell School believes that world-class The key to the success of our curriculum is ‘At The Purcell School a career musicianship is best nurtured when young balance. Depending on a student’s age and performers and composers are possessed instrumental commitments, between 25% in music is not taken for granted of a broad cultural awareness, cultivated by and 50% of curricular time is spent on musical and a broad range of academic an excellent general education. Students are activities. subjects is included ... without encouraged to regard their academic studies as diminishing the musical priority.’ an essential complement to their performing Sir Thomas Armstrong, Founding Patron skills: the curriculum aims to nurture a rich cultural hinterland for each young person, such that their musicality is deepened as a result.

Running alongside the music programme, our academic curriculum allows students to fulfil their musical potential without limiting their choices. Although most of our students are aiming for a career in music and will progress to a conservatoire or university to read music, this path is never taken for granted.

32 / The Purcell School Prospectus The Purcell School Prospectus / 33 Please note that the curriculum and its delivery are under constant review and may change from year to year. For recent exam results, please see the 1:4 supporting cards at the rear of the prospectus. Teacher to student ratio

Year 6 Year 9 Sixth Form Year 6 teaching focusses on the development In Year 9, students follow a full range of To enter the Sixth Form, students are of good social and moral attitudes, on the academic courses while musical commitments expected to have five or more GCSE or enjoyment of learning and on the acquisition of continue to increase. German is added for all as IGCSE passes at grade C or above, or the skills and knowledge. The dedicated Year 6 class a second foreign language. equivalent for overseas students. Some teacher covers English, Mathematics, Science, subjects require a minimum GCSE grade Humanities and PSHE (Personal, Social, Health Years 10 and 11 to continue the subject in the Sixth Form, and Economic Education). Musical activities, Students are advised to take seven or a as outlined in the Sixth Form Options Art and PE (Physical Education) are taught by maximum of eight GCSE or IGCSE subjects. All booklet. Sixth Formers are advised to take specialist staš. There is one supervised practice students take IGCSE Music at the end of Year 10. three subjects – Pre-U Music and two A session during each School day. Other GCSEs and IGCSEs are taken at the end of Level subjects – over the course of Lower Year 11. All students take Mathematics, English Sixth and Upper Sixth. Very exceptionally, Years 7 and 8 Language and Science (Biology, Chemistry and a student may take four subjects but only Students have lessons in Music, English, Physics, with most students gaining a Double aŠer discussion with the Deputy Head or Mathematics, Science, French, History, Art, Award). Optional subjects include English Head of Sixth Form. For overseas students Drama, Games and PSHE. For overseas students Literature, French, German, Additional Science, EAL can replace one A Level option. In EAL (English as an Additional Language) lessons History, Art and Drama. All students have one addition to the compulsory Cambridge may be substituted for, perhaps, a foreign session each week of Physical Education. Pre-U Music, A Level subjects on ošer are: language, Art or History. Practice sessions Examination boards vary from subject to Art, Biology, Chemistry, English Literature, during the school day are supervised. subject, and are chosen according to which French, German, History, Mathematics, specification suits our students best. Music Technology, Physics, Theatre Studies, and Pre-U Philosophy and Theology.

34 / The Purcell School Prospectus The Purcell School Prospectus / 35 79% 4 15 1 1 1 Students are Boarders* Boarding Boarding & Onsite Onsite Onsite Houses Pastoral Staš Nurse Physiotherapist Counsellor (weekly)

‘All the facilities are on site all the ‘We’ve all got the same ‘Pupils are supported by excellent time ... at home I had to practise interests – we’re interested in pastoral care.’ in my kitchen!’ music – so instantly everyone Independent School Inspectorate, 2014 Purcell Student has something in common.’ Purcell Student *Statistic from 2017/18

36 / The Purcell School Prospectus Pastoral Care A Home from Home

The Purcell School is an informal and for the independence they will have in Further ‘My daughter has blossomed in welcoming place, with a strong sense of Education. community and determination to provide an environment that has nurtured students with the best possible environment for The boarding houses are run by a dedicated her, both musically and personally. both work and home life. team of warm and caring boarding and pastoral It has been amazing to watch her staš, who are responsible for each student’s develop ... to say she is happy at The School ošers flexible solutions to meet the welfare and wellbeing. Weekend activities, needs of dišerent families in terms of full or evening events and social gatherings are school is an understatement.’ weekly boarding, and, whether attending as a regularly organised, and students are able Purcell Parent boarding or day student, all students are assigned to travel into London to attend the junior to one of the School’s four boarding houses for departments of the capital’s music colleges and pastoral support and to provide a social base. conservatoires or enjoy concerts and events. All boarding first study Sixth Form pianists have the Boarders use of an upright piano in their study bedrooms. With approximately 79% of students boarding, the School feels like a home from home, and Day Students the boarders lead very full lives. As travel time Day students at The Purcell School are able to is reduced there is more time to practise, to take full advantage of the boarding school day ensure academic work is completed to a high and reap the many benefits from all that is on standard, to be involved in a breadth of musical ošer. As they progress through the School, they and co-curricular activities, and to build lifelong will oŠen stay late in the evening to participate friendships. Boarding also prepares students in events.

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Life After The Purcell School

Having received an outstanding musical and We are very proud of our former students, Alumni Include strong academic education, most students many of whom have enjoyed national and Martin James Bartlett | Alim Beisembayev go on to be successful in their chosen fields. international success. They can be found in Julian Bliss | Daisy Chute | Robert Cohen We take great care in nurturing and ošering the major orchestras of the UK and across the Jacob Collier | Nicholas Daniel guidance to ensure our leavers make informed world, as well as in leading ensembles. Recent Anne Denholm | Julius Drake choices about their futures and find the right notable alumni include BBC Young Musician Catrin Finch | Teo Gheorgiu place to continue their studies. In the main of the Year 2014 pianist Martin James Bartlett, Janice Graham | Kerem Hasan they graduate to study music at one of the Royal Harpist Anne Denholm, twice Grammy Oliver Knussen | Min-Jin Kym top London music colleges, oŠen having been Award winning Jazz pianist Jacob Collier and Jack Liebeck | Mica Levi ošered scholarships. Oscar and BAFTA nominated film composer | Joseph Phibbs Mica Levi, to name but a few! | Karim Said Destinations of leavers also include the Joo Yeon Sir | Yevgeny Sudbin UK’s top universities, including Oxford and Alexander Ullman Cambridge. These routes are usually taken to study Music, but each year a handful will follow other interests such as Physics, Aeronautical Engineering and History.

38 / The Purcell School Prospectus ‘All pupils achieve their ambition of securing a place at a prestigious music college or university in the UK or abroad.’ Independent School Inspectorate, 2014

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Applications

The Purcell School welcomes applications Application Form Online Applications from all talented young musicians between All candidates must complete the School’s Applications can also be received directly the ages of 10 and 18. application form. This can be found in through the active entry form on the We consider musical ability and promise to the prospectus and on our website as a website or by emailing the completed be more significant than grade attainment, downloadable PDF and an active entry form. application form to the Registrar. To submit and are looking for evidence of musical skill, Applications can be received by post, email an application online, the £35 registration desire, commitment and potential. However, or online. fee must be paid through the website and pupils do require five or more GCSE or IGCSE the applicant’s written recommendation passes at grade C or above, or the equivalent Postal Applications attached. We require overseas applicants for overseas pupils, in order to enter the The application form must be returned to to provide YouTube footage or Sound Cloud Sixth Form. the Registrar with a £35 application fee and a recordings of a recent performance for written recommendation from the applicant’s consideration. How to Apply instrumental teacher(s). We ask that any To be considered for a place at The Purcell overseas candidates include evidence of a School, you must first apply for an audition. recent performance, be this in the form of a The audition process takes part in two stages DVD, YouTube link or similar. Please direct any queries about the application – the preliminary and main auditions. Please make all cheques payable to process to the School Registrar, on ‘The Purcell School’. [email protected]

The Purcell School Prospectus / 41 Preliminary Audition In order to best determine a suitable Important Dates The preliminary audition is similar to the academic programme, candidates will sit a The closing date for applications for main audition except that the candidate will Reasoning Test in English and be interviewed candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for play to the appropriate Head of Department by a senior member of staš. The Head of EAL support under the Department for Education only. This is to assess the level of candidate will assess candidates for whom English is not Music and Dance Scheme is the last day of The musicianship, musicality, technique, and their first language. Purcell School Easter holiday. potential. It is a less pressurised environment Following the main audition, candidates Auditions for candidates who do not meet the than a main audition and oŠen helps to and their parents will be given a tour of the eligibility criteria for support under the Music settle nerves. School, which for boarders will include a visit and Dance Scheme finish in March. to a boarding house, and will meet with the Main Audition Head and Bursar. Please note that boarding places in particular have oŠen been filled by the end of March, and For a main audition, candidates will be asked An audition fee of £50, payable to ‘The Purcell candidates are therefore encouraged to apply to prepare and play two pieces on their first School’ by cheque or online, must be made as early as possible in the School year. instrument and one piece on their second and received by the relevant audition date to instrument (if relevant). The pieces are of guarantee an audition. Applications are considered in the order they the applicant’s own choice. Sight-reading are received. and aural tests will be set. Candidates will be Ošer interviewed by an audition panel, which will Following a successful audition, the candidate include the relevant Head of Department, and will either be ošered a place (normally within will sit a Theory of Music paper. two weeks of the audition) or placed on a waiting list and informed if and when a place becomes available.

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Fees and Financial Assistance

The Music and Dance Scheme School Bursaries The School’s key priority is to ensure that every Students who are not eligible for the Music and young musician can attend The Purcell School Dance Scheme may apply for assistance from based on their musical ability and not their The Purcell School’s Bursary fund. Funding ability to pay. Means-tested funding from the is based on need and parents are required Department for Education is therefore essential. to declare their financial circumstances For example, in 2016/17, 63% of students for consideration by the School’s Bursary received support from the Government’s Music Committee. and Dance Scheme and, as a direct result, 49 students paid less than £1,000 per year in fees.

To be eligible for a place on the Music and Dance Scheme, students must have been resident in the UK for at least two years. Special rules apply to European students.

Additional information can be found at www.gov.uk/music-dance-scheme.

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How to Find Us

The Purcell School is situated on the outskirts of The Purcell School London in the town of Bushey, Hertfordshire. Aldenham Road Bushey We are a 30-minute walk or a five-minute drive Hertfordshire from Bushey railway station, which has a fast WD23 2TS (19-minute) connection to the capital. The M1 and M25 are minutes from the School, giving Tel: 01923 331100 easy access to the rest of the UK. Heathrow Fax: 01923 331166 and Luton airports are 30 minutes away by car, [email protected] while Gatwick and Stansted are closer to an www.purcell-school.org hour’s journey.

There is ample car parking on site.

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Aldenham Road, Bushey, Hertfordshire WD23 2TS Tel: 01923 331100 Fax: 01923 331166 [email protected] www.purcell-school.org

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