Temple Dinsley Summer School (TDSS) is open to all Suzuki string playing (violin, viola, cello or piano) children aged 3+, accompanied by parent(s)/guardian(s). There is a small discount from the course fee for Members of the British Suzuki Group (BSI) and London Suzuki Group (LSG) (please see contact page for details).

 

Every child is timetabled for four teaching sessions a day. This
will include:

 

A Private Lesson - during private lessons teachers work individually
with 4 children in a session. This popular and interesting format enables children and parents to learn from the individual tuition of other children.

 

A Suzuki Group lesson - this is the traditional Suzuki group session and play-together, always instructive and fun.

 

Then two of the following classes, depending on age and ability:

Dalcroze, Musicianship, Improvisation, Music Mind Games, Orchestra, Ensemble, Chamber Music.

 

Classes start at 8.30am and finish by 6pm.

 

Performance Platform

We offer everyone the opportunity to perform in a Monday Recital Platform.

 

Parent Talks

Inspirational parent-talks are given during the four days. During the talks children are looked after in musicianship sessions.

 

For Younger Siblings

There will be a free musicianship class for siblings.

 

For Parents

Organised music-making is arranged in the evening. This includes choir and orchestra, so  if you wish, do please bring your instrument with you.

 

In the beginning...

Temple Dinsley Suzuki Camp is an independent course and was the inspiration of Elisabeth Waterhouse. In 1974 Elisabeth, pianist, violist, teacher of Alexander Technique and a leading teacher of Suzuki violin, with her husband the distinguished bassoonist William Waterhouse started two small complementary music camps.

TDSS (Temple Dinsley Summer School) implemented the then new methodology of the Japanese pedagogue and violinist Shinichi Suzuki for the teaching of young students (and their parents) called the Suzuki Method. Former Course Directors of TDSS have included Caroline Stone and Jane Afia. The other camp was NCMC, a traditional chamber course for string players. This quickly developed into the present course for up to 64 young musicians of Grade 5 standard and above. (For more information please click  National Chamber Music Course NCMC)

Both TDSS and NCMC moved to Princess Helena College in 1985 and in 2021 following the closure of PHC moved to our fabulous new home, The Oratory School near Reading in the southern Chilterns. Elisabeth and the Waterhouse/Milner family continue to oversee the running of both camps, ensuring that students continue to receive the highest standard of musical tuition and education. The aim of the two camps - one with parents attending and one with students unaccompanied - is to encourage the growth of personal development and to assist in the creation of a solid foundation for a lifetime's enjoyment of music-making in the company of friends.