The LSG International Summer School in 2025 will be held 17-24 August at Bryanston School in Dorset, UK.

Registration will open in early February.

LSG International Summer School
Covid-19 Guidance

We sincerely hope that the Covid-19 pandemic will already have been reclassified as merely an endemic disease in most countries but it is clear that the virus will be a factor in our lives for some years to come. Precautions will therefore still be necessary and official guidance or regulations will be applied at our summer school. We reserve the right to apply stricter safety measures against Covid than those in force from the UK government.

It is strongly recommended that all eligible members of your party are fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus, if at all possible, at least 3 weeks prior to arrival at the summer school.

It is recommended that all members of your party booked for the summer school obtain a Covid-19 test and its result within 48 hours before arrival at the summer school. If any of your party have any Covid or other feeling unwell symptoms in the week before leaving for the summer school and yet the lateral flow test is negative, please obtain a PCR test as it is more accurate than the lateral flow test.

Please bring sufficient lateral flow test kits with you to test your family members if required to do so by the summer school management. You may wish to have sufficient test kits to carry out regular testing through the week. Any positive tests must be reported to the summer school management (Philip Wake or Sarah Mundy) immediately. You and your family members must then isolate in your room(s) with the door(s) closed until you can leave or be isolated in a safe area.

If any of your party falls ill with Covid-19 or tests positive for the virus after arrival at the summer school, you will be required to leave immediately if it is feasible to do so. If you cannot leave immediately, all your party will be placed in isolation and will be cared for by the summer school management and local NHS staff to the extent that is reasonably possible until you can all leave. We have an arrangement with a local GP Surgery and there are a number of NHS hospitals within Dorset.

Bryanston School and the summer school management will be applying at least all the Covid-19 Security protocols required by the UK Government and/or its agencies, and have a good deal of experience in doing so. However, you may wish to apply your own additional safety measures.

Sunday 17th – Sunday 24th August 2025

Who Can attend?

Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass and Piano students of the Suzuki method from age 3 to 18 accompanied by a parent.
Teenagers may come unaccompanied and stay in one of the Teenage Houses; accompanied teenagers may request accommodation in a Teenage House (without their parent) subject to availability.
Non Suzuki students who have reached Grade 8 and above are very welcome.
Teacher Observers normally Sunday to Friday midday, but applications for the full week will be considered.
Suzuki Teacher Trainees of violin and piano who are on the BSMA Teacher Training Course take residence Sunday to Friday midday. Please see the BSMA for details of The Suzuki Teacher Training Course. (Teacher Trainees with a playing child/children at the summer school will of course need to stay for the full week. We recommend that you apply early to ensure there is space for the family.)

Faculty with a playing child/children at the summer school are recommended to register and apply for their child/children early to ensure there is space for the family.

Here is what to expect from the week of the London Suzuki Group International Summer School at Bryanston (based on the normal, full capacity one week course).

Sunday – Arrival and the first evening

Arrive after lunch to settle into the rooms and unpack. There is a tour for families attending for the first time at 3pm followed by a welcome meeting for everybody at 4pm.

There are then Playtogethers for each instrumental group and the first rehearsal of the top level orchestras. This is followed by supper in the refectory and then a welcome party in the main building whilst being serenaded by the teachers’ orchestra.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday  – Normal Teaching days

The very youngest participants have three hours’ worth of lessons, most children have four hours, and there are optional extra classes for those wishing to have a five hour day. These lessons are spread throughout the day with plenty of time off to practice or to enjoy the outstanding facilities that Bryanston School has to offer, such as the 39 tennis courts, indoor swimming pool, archery, bouldering wall, the art room or the many walks throughout the grounds.

After lunch there are three solo concerts which take place in the Elder Hall, Edwin Evans and Robson Fisher where performers can learn the art of stage presentation in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. In the evenings there are concerts given by members of the faculty, and then the main building comes alive with impromptu chamber groups and jazz sessions. Football tournaments are held in the sports centre and there is also an adults only bar in the basement open until 11pm.

Wednesday – a condensed teaching timetable and an afternoon of fun

The timetable is condensed and starts a little earlier which means that everybody has the afternoon free to explore Dorset. There are organised coach trips visiting local attractions such as Stonehenge, Lulworth Cove and Bournemouth Aviation Museum. In the evening there will be a fun singing event led by a member of the choral faculty (this changes year to year but often has involved musical films).

Friday – Concerts begin

The evening concert on Friday is given by the orchestras.

Saturday – concert day

This is concert day. Solo piano concerts, Keyboard concert, Suzuki groups concert and chamber groups concerts all take place during the morning. The afternoon has a treasure hunt for the younger children and there is again free time to make use of the Bryanston facilities. In the evening all can be entertained by the  Bryanston Revue, a variety show put on by the children with the help of the stewards.

Sunday – departure

After one last breakfast the airport coaches arrive, the suitcases are piled up in the hall and everyone leaves, amidst a flurry of promises  to return next year.

Every day

Food  – Fabulous meals with many options and catering for dietary requirements are served in the refectory. Also provided are hot and cold drinks with biscuits in the morning break and hot and cold drinks with cake in the afternoon break. There is also a cafe on site selling other coffee and tea varieties, milkshakes and various snacks and an adults only bar selling alcoholic drinks and snacks. Please be aware that Bryanston is NOT a nut free site.

Noteworthy News – Every evening an email update is sent out to everybody with the following days events and any other matters.

Director of Music Jillian Leddra
Co-Director of Music Anne Beitel Thomas
Business Manager  Philip Wake
Facilities Manager Sarah Mundy

 

The course is run by the London Suzuki Group

All information can be found by viewing the pages on this website, however for any other queries please fill out the form below. Alternatively:

For music related matters, the Awards or Bursaries, please:

Email:  [email protected]

For registration, application, accommodation or financial matters, please contact Philip Wake:

Phone: Philip Wake – +44 (0)7801 482346 or [email protected]

 

Stewards

If you would like to be apply to be a steward please send an email explaining why you would make a good steward and the skills you bring to the role e.g. languages, viola player, cellist, etc. to Sarah Mundy:

[email protected]

We are especially keen to hear from Double Bass players.

If you are offered a place as a Steward by Sarah, you will then need to Register and complete the Application form online in the same way as all attendees – See Apply page. Please do so as soon as possible after you receive Sarah’s offer.