Announcements and Events

TSSP is 25! Happy Anniversary!

The Fall Update

A warm welcome this Fall to all returning and new students at the Toronto School for Strings and Piano.

This past year the Toronto School for Strings Adult Orchestra resumed rehearsals, the Junior Orchestra was launched and Theory classes were held in person and online.

We hope to restart Early Childhood Music Classes (infants to age 3). Many TSSP students participated in Music Festivals and RCM exams with very successful results. In person recitals also resumed.

We celebrated the end of the school year with our first Banquet and Awards Ceremony since 2019.

We are still accepting students for the coming year, however spaces are filling up quickly.
Contact us at 416-968-0303, info@torontoschoolforstrings.com or fill out the online registration form.

Toronto School for Strings Adult Orchestra

Rehearsals: Thursday evening 7:15-8:45 in gym at TSSP.
New members welcome. No audition required.

Junior Orchestra

This group experience for violinists, violists, and cellists is a great introduction to ensemble playing.
Saturday 4:15-5PM at TSSP

Welcome to the TSSP Store!

We are happy to stock items for music students in our school, and also for students outside of our school.
We keep a limited inventory on-hand, and can always order just in time for our next visit to the music store.

Please visit the Toronto School for Strings and Piano Music Store.

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

Adults are especially welcome!

The TSS Orchestra is back!

We held our first rehearsal in the gym at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church.
A very diverse, enthusiastic, welcoming group of players.
Rehearsals are held weekly on Thursdays, 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm.
Intermediate difficulty, no audition required.

Enroll for RCM examinations

TSSP students can easily enroll for RCM exams by using this link.

Both Julian and Mary Fisher are Certified Teachers for the RCM.

Music lessons were the best things your parents ever did for you according to science

If your parents ever submitted you to regular music lessons as a kid, you probably got in a fight with them once or twice about it. Maybe you didn’t want to go; maybe you didn’t like practicing. But we have some bad news:

They were right

By Tom Barnes, https://www.mic.com

The Arts Access Fund

Toronto School for Strings and Piano is proud to be partners with Arts Access Fund, a charitable organization dedicated to providing high-quality arts training to young people, who would otherwise not have the opportunity to pursue.

The Arts Access Fund was established to open doors for children, youth, and teens, who have the passion, but not the means, to develop their artistic talent. Programs are offered in visual art, drama, music, dance, and filmmaking at more than ten high-quality arts training institutions in Toronto.

Please visit the ARTS Access Fund website:

http://www.artsaccessfund.org/

Give the GIFT OF MUSIC!

TSSP Gift Card

The Toronto School for String and Piano Gift Certificates are available upon request.

A great way to re-kindle the love of music or start up the New Year.

Whether it is providing the opportunity to try lessons for the first time, try a new instrument, or providing some additional lessons for exceptionally keen student, this would be a truly meaningful gift.

What makes the Toronto School for Strings and Piano special…

The teachers at TSS have an unusual breadth and depth of experience. Some are young people flush with the excitement of launching their careers, others are parents themselves, and understand the joys and stresses of being involved in their child’s musical education firsthand. Still others have nurtured and supported their students with caring, a sense of humour and inspiring playing. At TSS, we believe in taking the long view, that while there may be ups and downs, both the journey and the goals achieved along the way are totally worthwhile. Character traits like perseverance, patience and self-discipline last a lifetime.

At TSS/P we are very happy to report an exceptionally low turnover rate. Students tend to stay and develop their skills through the teen years and beyond, even coming back with their own children! We are developing more and more programs for students of all ages to join that will develop their performance skills, creativity and sense of camaraderie. Many TSS students take on leadership roles in their school music programs or audition successfully for select Regional Youth Orchestras.

Whether you are an adult, or a parent with young children or teenagers, we want to help you experience all that music has to offer!

Six Reasons why your child should learn music

For the shy child, it is self-expression
For the awkward child, it is co-ordination
For the impulsive child, it is a way to channel energy into constructive accomplishment
For the easily distracted child, it is concentration
For the uncertain child, it is poise and self-confidence
For the child who gives up easily, it is perseverance.

Music is for growth!

I have loved learning violin again. Thank you for bringing music back into my life and giving me a wonderful and rewarding hobby.

Orlando S.

You played an immeasurably significant role in the development of Maya's love of music.
You, and of course Mary, will always have a special place in our hearts and will forever remain as valued friends.

David

Emily gained so much from her time with you, Julian and part of our pride in her accomplishments belongs to you too. She learned far more than simply her music - she learned that hard work, determination and a goal can lead to great things. She also learned the value of mentorship from your example, and has volunteered to mentor others at her law school this year.

Carole S.

Safiya completed her ARCT Practical Exam in Guitar with Honours.
Drew is an amazing teacher and musician. We are incredibly grateful to him for all the work he put into preparing Safiya.
We are very pleased with the music school that you run. You are all true professionals.

Elena Erdogan

My cello teacher at the TSS has been marvelous and I am learning a great deal. He even brought me a practice mirror on his bicycle! Again, thank you for providing such a wonderful experience.

William K.

We often talked about you (Mary) for years after you stopped teaching him, how you encouraged him to be a future Yo Yo Ma. Maybe that's what did it! You might be interested to hear him tell you all the things that he is doing in music now beyond the cello... and you will be proud of him, as you gave him his earliest musical formation.

Kim P.

Thank you so much for providing such an amazing and inspirational place for our daughter to experience music.

Bronwyn V.

I chose the Toronto School for Strings and Piano because of the convenient location. As my lessons progressed however, I found the location to be just one of the many aspects of the school that appealed to me. The directors and staff go out of their way to ensure the best possible experience. The TSSP offers fair prices and employs excellent teachers that are highly professional and experienced. My lessons are a true pleasure to attend, and I have found myself improving quickly.

Jackie S.

Dear Mary and Julian,
Congratulations on your 25th Anniversary - and extraordinary achievement. Also a meaningful contribution to the lives of many young people.
With admiration,

Peter Simon

The lessons are such a bright light in the week for our girls.

Thank you again for the extraordinary learning experience, confidence, and warm friendship that “you guys” gave me during my short stay in Toronto. I promise that I will continue my lessons and never give up on my dream of playing the piano.

Jeanine