Forest City School for Strings

07/26/2026

Yet again, our fantastic students and coaches in the Ludwig Orchestra at FCSS Summer Camp amaze us with a wonderful performance of three fun selections inspired by the Silver Screen. Bravo to these intrepid young musicians and their teachers! (The Force must be with them???) 💫

07/24/2026

☀️ Summer Camp is all about forging friendships!☀️
These five met last year at FCSS camp and have been thick as thieves since! They've even unofficially/officially named themselves "The Scots" and composed/arranged/rehearsed a folk arrangement to perform all on their own during their free time! We love these guys! ✨🎻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤝

07/01/2026

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04/30/2026

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Patrick Burroughs, founder of Forest City School for Strings.

Pat was a distinguished Canadian educator, founder, and visionary leader in string pedagogy. As a proud native of Canada's West Coast, Pat began his studies in Victoria, BC, and trained at the Banff Centre and the University of Toronto, later studying with many renowned teachers across North America and Europe.

In 1970, he founded the Bach Youth Ensemble in Toronto, touring nationally and internationally. He went on to play a significant role in music education across Canada through his work at the University of Western Ontario, the Banff Centre, and numerous festivals and organizations. A dedicated advocate of the Suzuki method, he influenced generations of students and teachers.

Pat served for twenty years as conductor of the Woodstock Strings, collaborating with many of Canada’s leading artists, and received numerous honours, including the Woodstock Medallion, recognition from the American String Teachers’ Association, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

As founding President and Music Director of the Forest City School for Talent Education (est. 1988), Patrick Burroughs transformed a small Suzuki group class in a church basement into one of Canada’s most respected youth string programs. He leaves an enduring legacy in the countless lives he enriched and the generations of students he inspired—many of whom have gone on to lead vibrant musical lives as professionals, dedicated amateurs, and passionate supporters of the arts.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, May 4 at 11:00 AM at St. George’s Anglican Church in London, Ontario. Our May 9 year-end recital will be dedicated to Pat’s memory, in honour of his life and lasting legacy.

Our thoughts are with Pat’s cherished family—his wife, Bonnie; his daughter, Lisa, and son-in-law, Dean; his granddaughter, Marina; and his beloved stepchildren and their families.

Thank you for everything, Mr. Burroughs. We love you and we will cherish your memory always.

03/08/2026

✨We’re still floating on a cloud after tonight’s captivating and deeply expressive guest recital by Marie Bégin and Dan Luong! ✨

This beautiful concert marked the culmination of two rich and inspiring days of masterclasses for our FCSS violin students. A dozen of our intermediate and senior pupils had the opportunity to perform for and learn from Prof. Bégin—an extraordinary experience and a true gift for our community.

Heartfelt thanks to the Paul Seed Fund and the London Community Foundation for sponsoring this very special event. We hope to make guest workshops like this a tradition, and we can’t wait to welcome Prof. Bégin back again soon! 🎻

02/18/2026

🌟 Guest Artist Residency: Prof. Marie Bégin (Université de Montréal)

Presented by FCSS and sponsored by the London Community Foundation and the Paul Seed Fund, we are thrilled to welcome acclaimed violinist Marie Bégin, named one of CBC’s Top 30 Musicians Under 30 (2020). 

Guest Recital

Saturday, March 7 – 7:30 p.m.
Metropolitan United Church
With pianist Dan Luong
Program includes works by Gershwin/Heifetz and Ravel, along with Ernst’s devilishly virtuosic "Last Rose of Summer" for solo violin! 

FCSS students: FREE admission
Tickets: $15 adults | $5 children

Student Masterclasses (Open to the public)

Friday, March 6 | 6:00–8:00 p.m. – Metropolitan United 

Saturday, March 7* | 8:30–11:30 a.m. – Banting Auditorium

We are so excited to welcome Prof. Bégin and grateful to our sponsors for making this possible! Please join us for this very special event and bring your friends, families, and fellow music lovers! 🎻❤️

02/18/2026

02/09/2026

🎻 **FCSS Summer Music Camp 2026 – Registration Now Open!** 🎶

London’s Forest City School for Strings invites budding **violin, viola, cello, and harp** students of all levels (ages 4–17) to join our 3rd Annual Two-Week Summer Music Camp--a vibrant musical community where students grow artistically, collaborate with peers, and form lifelong friendships.

📅 **Dates:** July 20–31, 2026 (Mon–Fri, 8:30am–4:30pm)
📍 **Location:** TBC
⏰ **Early Bird Deadline:** Feb 28 (save $25)
📝 **Registration Deadline:** May 31

Students enjoy an immersive experience including:
• Private lessons and coachings
• Orchestra, chamber music, and ensemble rehearsals
• Technique, repertoire, theory, and composition classes
• Choir & musical theatre (Junior/Intermediate)
• Masterclasses with guest artists (Senior Institute)
• Creative arts, sports, and team-building activities
• **Final showcase performances** at the end of each week

Programs available from **Pre-Twinkle (ages 3–5)** through our **Senior String Institute (ages 14–17, RCM 6+)**.

✨ **Spaces are limited — secure your spot early!**
Register online and e-transfer tuition to **[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])** (student name in subject line).

📩 Questions? [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
🔗 Full details & registration: Link in bio