Dear Friends,
This Newsletter is written on Michaelmas Sunday, after the conclusion of the first “Kasper Hauser Conference” in this country. This festive occasion involved the visual and the performing arts, including eurythmy. It was an inspiring event as we enter our seventh year at The Glasshouse, thanks to the ongoing support of Aonghus Gordon and the College management.
Our students-who come from Venezuela, Spain, Brazil, U.S.A., Taiwan, Japan, Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium, England, including, yes! Stourbridge-have been joined by keen first-year students: Joel (Mexico), Gamal (Egypt), Lida (Czeck Republic), and Vicky, Keith & Nick (England). In this new intake, the lads outnumber the lasses (is this a record?) 4:2! Martha (Peru, via Italy) joins the second year; Katharina (Germany) joins the third year.
The total of 18 students in three years means we are bursting at the seams! Some lessons take place in Amblecote Church Hall, only minutes away. We should have taken a video, or at least photos, of the passing pedestrians and traffic witnessing a motley group transporting a piano along the street (we are getting good at this)!
The students join those of the other trainings in this country for a week’s course in London with Annemarie Ehrlich (The Hague), well-known for her pioneer work on Eurythmy in Organisations. During the year, each course also spends a week or more in schools as part of our integrated educational programme, working towards establishing a BA course in Eurythmy. Visiting eurythmy teachers this term are: Barbara Beedham (London) to work with all the students. A former colleague, Barbara has acted as “godmother” of the training for some years, now officially our “external examiner”. Emil Knobst (Holland), who taught for years in the Eurythmy Academy in The Hague, will visit next term, adding a touch of “male eurythmy”. In May, the third year will join Jonathan Reid (Botton) and his third year for a block. Diana Fischer (East Grinstead) will share her experience in eurythmy in education. This term Jackie Williams began the Friday seminars on Goethean observation; another tutor (to be confirmed) introduces the Waldorf Curriculum and child development; Pearl Goodwin embryology.
In line with recommendations from the Performing Arts Section, Dornach, and to meet the growing demand everywhere for educational standards, the eurythmy trainings in this country are working towards establishing a BA course in Eurythmy. Maren and Shaina join others on the new MA programme (2 years) run in Jerna, set up with Plymouth University. This involves visits, but the main work takes place here at home.
“Moving Tales” has already toured this autumn with three items: a fairy-tale The Flower-Queen’s Daughter, and two folk-tales-Monkey and Papa-god and A Squash and a Squeeze (the latter also started The Glasshouse term, in the temporary “big top” left from the International Glass Festival!). Children (and staff!) of Wynstones, Michael House and Elmfield Schools were delighted, as is shown by the children’s lively drawings and comments. This success caused us to plan a further tour for the spring, and has suggested ideas for the next programme. Our very best wishes go with Patricia Mulder, who leaves the stage-group, as she moves to Bristol. We hope she will remain in touch, to direct & help.
Eurythmy forms part of the celebration Homage to Schumann (died 150 years ago) in The Glasshouse Studio Theatre, 17th November, 7.30 pm. In addition to several items of eurythmy, Michael Jones (piano) will play Symphonic �tudes, op 13, dedicated to Schumann’s London composer-friend Sterndale Bennett. The English composer’s great-grandson will read letters and extracts from the Diaries. Don’t miss this event!
The end of term showing of students’ work takes place on Thursday, 7th December, 7.30 at the Glasshouse Studio Theatre. Looking forward to seeing you there!
With warm greetings from my colleagues and all the students,