Organization Detail

The London Suzuki Group International Summer School (“LSG Bryanston”) is a week-long ~ 350+ student institute held in August at Bryanston School, a boarding school in Dorset, in the south of England. In 2026 the summer school will be held 16-23 August.

The course welcomes Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass and Piano students of the Suzuki method from age 3 to 18. Children of any age attend accompanied by one or more parents, grandparents or carer. 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 & suitability. Students who have completed the Suzuki repertoire and achieved Grade 8 or above on their instrument via ABRSM, Trinity, RCM, AMEB or similar are very welcome. In a typical summer students from around the UK, multiple European countries, the United States and Asia attend. The young adult stewards, all of them former campers themselves, are chosen in part for their ability to communicate in languages other than English.

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. The normal timetable includes a masterclass-style lesson of three students; Suzuki group lesson; Musicianship, Dalcroze, Choir, String or Keyboard Improvisation or Percussion. String players in Books 2 and above participate in one of the six orchestras. The most advanced students have chamber music. Students in the top orchestra no longer have a Suzuki group lesson but rather have a longer orchestra session. 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, the art room or the many walks throughout the grounds. Sports activities are organized by a dedicated team.

After lunch there are three solo Lunchtime Concerts which take place in the Elder Hall, Edwin Evans and Robson Fisher performance venues where performers can practice the art of stage presentation in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. In the evenings there are concerts and TED-style talks 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.

The weekend that ends the course is alive with concerts! The orchestras perform on Friday evening. Saturday sees piano solo concerts, chamber music performances, the string groups concert, typically one further Lunchtime Concert in Elder Hall and demonstrations from the improvisation classes. In the evening all can be entertained by the Bryanston Revue, a variety show put on by the children (and the occasional brave adult!) with the help of the stewards.