Toronto School for Strings

The Toronto School for Strings was founded in 1999, by Julian and Mary Fisher, to provide their students with a positive and stimulating learning experience.

Our faculty of highly qualified and experienced teachers incorporate the best of the world-renowned Suzuki Philosophy, the rigor of the nationally recognized Royal Conservatory of Music Examination system and other approaches tailored to the needs of individual students. Our teachers include accredited adjudicators and performers active in the musical life of Toronto.

We emphasize the quality of the learning environment and foster artistic growth amongst all our students, who range in age from young children to senior citizens.

Instruments taught include violin, viola, cello, bass, piano, guitar, electric bass, flute and recorder. We encourage our students to take advantage of enriching opportunities such as rehearsing with a professional accompanist, or playing with small ensembles or orchestra. We offer a fun and creative approach to theory in private lessons or small groups. We also encourage the implementation of music technology. The core of our instruction is classical by nature, but we also include jazz and improvisation.

The Toronto School for Strings is pleased to offer group classes and ensembles for players of every age and skill level:

• For a list of Frequently Asked Questions, please click here

• Feel free to call us with your questions or comments on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 2:00 p.m.

News and Announcements

Groups Schedule 2009-2010

THE TSS RECITALS

Thank you to all our talented musicians who performed at our recitals on Sunday! It was a wonderful experience seeing every instrument - violin, piano, viola, cello, double bass - represented onstage.

For all the students who did not get a chance to participate - as well as those who wish to perform again - our next recital will take place on Sunday, June 6th.

The 2010 Camp Application form

Applications for the 2010 camps can be downloaded here:

http://www.torontoschoolforstrings.com/TSS-Camp-2010-Application.pdf

Camp waivers coming soon.

TSS SUMMER DAY CAMP DATES

We are pleased to announce the dates for our third annual Toronto School for Strings Summer Day Camps! Our Strings Camp will be running from July 26-30. Due to popular demand, our Rock Camp will return, and will be running from August 3-6. We will be providing more details soon, but be sure to mark your calendars!

Welcome, Susan Hamblin Dennis!

The Toronto School for Strings is pleased to welcome Susan Hamblin Dennis to our faculty.

Susan is an experienced, enthusiastic piano teacher, available on weekends.

Klavierstuck

A term uttered by German piano movers, working in older houses with tight staircases.

On Thursday, August 13, at about 11 AM E.D.S.T. we took delivery of a beautiful Yamaha Studio Upright piano from Boris Kvint at the Toronto Piano Centre. Getting it upstairs to its new home was no small matter. We had contemplated using a crane to get the piano up to the top floor. In the end, we chose the "dissassemble" method. The doors had to be popped off their hinges. The piano was completely taken apart by Alex Gluzman (a tuner and technician whom we have had some great service) and re-assembled upstairs. The main component, the soundboard, required the piano moving expertise (and strength) of Rob and John from Expert Piano Movers. We told the movers as they started up the stairs that nothing they said will be used against them.
At one point, at a tight turn, they had to move the piano partly into the Pink Avenue Aesthetics salon, owned by our friend and neighbour Suzie Cunningham. She looked a bit surprised as the piano moved into her salon. One of the movers, Rob said quietly: "I need an eyebrow wax." We're not sure whether she could do it right away, or whether he needed to make an appointment.
Not a scratch on the walls. The piano sounded pretty well in tune, and there were no spare parts leftover.

Bravo Alex!

www.TorontoPianoSale.com

New TSS Honourary Patron, Mr. Benjamin Zander

People who come to the TSS website, first and foremost want to get set up for music lessons, or an ensemble, but they need to know one of the big reasons why we are a "Caring, artistic, inspired community."

One of my student's parents mentioned a book called the Art of Possibility. There were so many interesting, and funny stories in it, I asked to borrow it for a short time, and there has been a great learning, personally, and and an enrichment of our school, professionally. I read his book, the Art of Possibility, which was written with his wife Rosamund Zander, and have found it to contain a wealth of inspiring material.

In April of 2008, Mr. Zander came to conduct the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in an inspired performance of Mahler's Fifth Symphony. Before the concert Ben spent a good forty five minutes talking about the music in an interactive talk with the audience. It really was a special evening, and we have been in touch with him, ever since.

Many of our own "Stories of Possibility" will be submitted to this site, as we transcribe them.

Julian Fisher

For more information on Mr. Zander, follow this link.

Advanced Violin and Cello Ensembles

These groups, one for violins, one for cellos, meet every other week and work on ensemble playing using interesting and exciting repertoire with like-minded players in a fun group setting. Violins are led by Natasha Sharko, and cellos are led by Mary Fisher.

The TSS «Not-Quite-Ready-For-Prime-Time» Players

Adult students who are interested in playing in an ensemble, but are not sure if they can play in a more advanced group are welcome to join this entry-level orchestra.

Led by Peter Cosbey, the "Not Quites" will focus on playing together in a fun, supportive, no-pressure rehearsal, and working together to improve as a group.

The group will rehearse every other week.

Salon Concerts at the TSS

On the last Sunday of each month, our main floor opens into a delightful performing space. This creates an intimate, no-pressure performance opportunity for all students. Please speak to Jill Clarke or Julian Fisher for more information.

The Toronto School for Strings has become a Chocolatocracy

It has recognized the basic need of most people to have freedom to a supply of chocolate for nutritional, or psychological purposes.

We will endeavor to keep a supply at the school.

How to support the Chocolatocracy

If you receive a gift of chocolates, and wish to donate them, we will gratefully receive them.

Julian Fisher, Principal.

Lydia Gailus Memorial Bursary

In loving memory of a remarkable musician, the Toronto School for Strings has established a bursary for deserving students in need of financial assistance. Please speak to the principal, Julian Fisher about helping us to grow this fund, or for information about receiving financial assistance.

Special thanks to Eric Gailus for providing us with a substantial donation of violin, viola and chamber music belonging to his late mother.

This will be a great asset to the school library.

See Our School

The TSS has undergone a transformation, and is a more beautiful, welcoming and inviting space.

Please see the photos here

Payment with Credit and Debit Cards

We now accept VISA, MasterCard, and Interac.

Commendations and Testimonials

I love theory! David rocks!
Kristen Latip