'Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent' - Victor Hugo.

St. Christopher House Music School has been providing the community with a chance to experience the joy and fulfillment that music can bring to one's life since 1930. 

Canada's second longest running community music school, the program at St. Christopher House was started through the vision of then agency director Lally Fleming, who worked closely with the Music School's first Director Helen Larkin as well as Sir Ernest MacMillan of the Royal Conservatory of Music.

It was Sir Ernest MacMillan's idea to use the Music School as a practical training course for the Conservatory's music education students.  This would also provide an opportunity for students to find room and board, as St. Christopher House was at that time a full settlement house, with staff living and working in the same building.

This arrangement with the Conservatory led to a long-term relationship with Boris Berlin, who was one of the first teachers at St. Christopher House Music School, and who later became a legend in music education in Canada. Mr. Berlin was a special guest at St. Chris' 70th Birthday Celebrations in April, 2000.

Over the years, the changing interests of our community have been mirrored by various initiatives of the Music School.  Important teachers from the National Ballet School taught dance.  We sponsored the first steel drum band in Canada (second in North America), whcih became so large that we spun it off into the community as its own school.  We have had all manner of programs in between, ranging from marching bands to jazz instruction.  Students of all ages and abilities are welcome to enroll in classes at the Music School.

Please click on the links in the navigation bar to the left to find out more information about St. Christopher House Music School.  If you cannot find what you are looking for please refer to the Children & Youth site map which is located at the bottom of the navigation bar.