UK’s Purcell School Appoints New Head of Strings

Former Doric String Quartet violinist Alex Redington will assume the role this September

The Purcell School has welcomed the internationally acclaimed violinist and educator Alex Redington as its new head of strings, beginning from September 2025.

An alumnus of the school, he will succeed Charles Sewart, who will step down at the end of this academic year after 18 years in the role. 

Redington is a founding member of the acclaimed Doric String Quartet, where he played as first violinist for 27 years, earning international recognition and building a discography with Chandos Records. Maia Cabeza recently succeeded him in the group. 

As an educator, he has held faculty positions at the Royal Academy of Music, the Yehudi Menuhin School, and the University of Cambridge. 

With Benjamin Grosvenor, Jonathan Biss, Elisabeth Leonskaja, and Marc-André Hamelin among his collaborators, Redington has also performed at Carnegie Hall, Vienna Konzerthaus, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and Wigmore Hall. 

His solo engagements have included those with the Vienna Symphony and BBC Symphony Orchestra led by conductors such as John Adams and Edward Gardner.

 “I am thrilled to take up the position of Head of Strings at The Purcell School,” Redington said. “Having been a student there myself, I am fully aware of the importance and positive impact it has on shaping the futures of its gifted students. I feel privileged to be entrusted with this role and look forward to working alongside the School’s talented staff to help realise the enormous potential of its students.”

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Alex back to The Purcell School,” added Principal Paul Bambrough. “His exceptional musicianship, inspiring career and deep commitment to education make him uniquely suited to lead our Strings Department into its next chapter. We look forward with great excitement to all he will bring to our musical community.”