Go-Ahead for “Normal” International Summer School

15th-22nd August 2021

at Bryanston School, Dorset

REGISTRATION SYSTEM IS STILL OPEN

Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic is not over yet, the progress being made on vaccination programmes in the UK and internationally is at least encouragement that normality can return. We will of course continue to assess the situation but take heart that the UK Government now plans to end social restrictions on 19th July, provided that progress continues to be made with the vaccination programme and Covid-19 infections fall despite the recent spread of the Delta (Indian) variant. It is too early to know whether there will still be restrictions in place for international travel but we will hope to see as many of our international student families as possible. The School and LSG Trustees therefore agreed that we can offer the normal 7 days’ international summer school but with a range of special measures in place to provide as much security against Covid-19 infections as possible and we will meet with the School on 20th July to discuss these measures. As much guidance as possible will be emailed to all attendees before the summer school begins so that you may prepare for the week.

We will also retain the other two course structures that we considered previously as Contingency Plans should the situation worsen again and lockdown restrictions are re-imposed (see below).

Please read the information below on the special measures for the International Summer School as well as the revised Terms and Conditions under Costs on the Apply tab. A full refund will be provided to families that have to cancel due to official Covid-19 reasons.

“Normal” International Summer School – 15th to 22nd August 2021

We will run the summer school as normally and safely as possible with all the usual activities – music, sports, socialising, excursions. The measures listed below are intended to give you as much confidence as possible in being safe and registering for the summer school.

Special measures will apply to provide as much security against Covid-19 infection as possible and are relevant to everyone attending the summer school:

• We will require you and your family members to have a Covid-19 test and obtain its result within 72 hours of starting your journey to the School. These test results should then be confirmed to Philip Wake immediately by email or text message. The Covid-19 Self-Test (Rapid Antigen Test) is sufficient to meet our requirements on this. International travel is very likely to require at least this test in any case.
• We recommend that you have a Covid-19 vaccination before attending, if eligible and at all possible. Please advise Philip Wake if you have been vaccinated. This information should be entered in your Medical section.
• Do not travel to the School if you or any of your family test positive for Covid-19 within 2 weeks of the start date of the summer school.
• We will only implement testing on arrival at our cost, using the Rapid Antigen Test method, if required to do so by government regulations. Anyone testing positive will be required to leave immediately with their family members; see Terms and Conditions for Covid-19 related refunds.
• If you and your family do not have a test before starting your journey or fail to provide the results before arrival, we will require you all to have a test on arrival and the cost of this will be charged to you. The cost is likely to be £30 per person.
• We will provide and carry out a Rapid Antigen Test prior to the end of the summer school for those international travellers that are required to show proof of a negative test to the airline, ferry company, or Border Control. The results will be uploaded to the NHS App. Please inform Philip Wake of your requirements in this regard. The cost is likely to be £30 per person.
• The School has substantial experience in operating Covid-19 Security protocols under government guidance and we will abide by those in force in August. We will update this section as more information becomes available but the protocols may include:
  • Capacity restrictions in the Dining Hall (shift and queuing systems), concert halls, Sports Centre and classrooms
  • Bedroom cleaning regimes
  • Personal protection guidance – social distancing, hand washing, sanitiser, face masks, etc
• The Medical Centre and some other bedrooms will be held in reserve so that we can isolate anyone testing positive for Covid-19 but who is unable to leave the School immediately.
• As usual, arrangements will be made with the area’s medical providers (GP Surgery, hospitals, and dentist) to provide cover during the summer school.
• The Covid-19 Security protocols in force at the time of the summer school will apply to all, including teenagers whether in the Teenage House or staying with their parents.
• We are unable to obtain any insurance cover for Covid-19 related claims and we will not accept any liability for anyone contracting this illness or having to self-isolate or leave the summer school due to Covid-19 during our week at Bryanston School.

Contingency Plan 1 – Severe Social Distancing Restrictions re-imposed

Significantly reduced capacity at Bryanston School so we would run two courses of 4 days each:

Course 1
Arrival & Welcome process Sat 14^th 1-3 pm
Full Teaching Days Sun 15^th to Tues 17^th
Concerts Weds 18^th am
Depart Weds 18^th 2 pm

Course 2
Arrival & Welcome process Thurs 19^th 1-3 pm
Full Teaching Days Fri 20th to Sun 22nd
Concerts Monday 23rd am
Depart Mon 23^rd 2 pm

If this Plan has to be implemented we would contact all the families booked on the “Normal” summer school to invite them to nominate which course they would prefer to attend. We hope you will appreciate that we may not be able to grant your preference due to the restrictions imposed on capacity and in the interests of providing a balanced course so may ask you to transfer to the other course.

It may be possible for families to book both courses – in which case priority will be given to families from outside the UK.

Special Covid-19 security protocols will be in force and are likely to be even more stringent than the ones applied to the “Normal” summer school detailed above.

A full refund less bank transfer costs will be applicable if this course structure does not appeal to you and you cancel your applications.

Contingency Plan 2 – Major Covid-19 Restrictions re-imposed

Bryanston School closed for summer courses so we would again offer a Virtual International Summer School (VISS) as we did in 2020. The course structure would be as close as possible to the 4 days’ course in Contingency Plan 1 but would run from Monday, 16^th August to Friday, 20^th August.

A full refund less bank transfer costs will be applicable if this course structure does not appeal to you and you cancel your applications.

 

If you have any questions, please contact Philip Wake by email: philip@lsginternationalsummerschool.co.uk

Bryanston, the London Suzuki Group’s International Summer School is an annual residential music course for string players and pianists aged from 3 to 18 years. It is now in its thirty-first year at the beautiful 160 hectare (395 acre) estate of Bryanston School, Blandford Forum, Dorset, England.  See above for how the course will be run in August 2021.

Director of Music: Jillian Leddra
Co-Director of Music: Karina MacAlpine
Business Manager:  Philip Wake

Sunday 15th – Sunday 22nd August 2021

(See also Covid-19 Update on Home page)

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
Non Suzuki students who have reached Grade 8 and above are very welcome.
Teacher Observers, Sunday to Thursday only.
Suzuki Teacher Trainees of violin and piano who are on the BSI Teacher Training Course take residence Sunday to Friday only. Please see the BSI for details of the The Suzuki Teacher Training Course.

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 Swanage. In the evening there will be singing and dancing through the main numbers of Mary Poppins.

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 Review, 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 Karina MacAlpine
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:

Email:  bryanston@lsginternationalsummerschool.co.uk

Phone: Philip Wake – +44 (0)7801 482346 or philip@lsginternationalsummerschool.co.uk

If you would like to find out more about Bryanston from a French and Italian speaker please contact Bélinda Martinez Welton: musique.plv@orange.fr +33 618052505

If you would like to find out more about Bryanston from a Spanish speaker please contact Silvia García sgargut@outlook.es

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:

facilities_manager@lsginternationalsummerschool.co.uk

We are especially keen to hear from Double Bass players.