Chanticleer
Newsletter for the Berkshire-Taconic Branch of the Anthroposophical Society
Volume 22, Issue 10, June 2012
Calendar of the Soul, Week 12, St. John's Tide
"And we cannot really do better for the dissemination, the proper
presentation of anthroposophy to the world, than by becoming ever more
aware of the significant impulse that anthroposophy should be for the further
progress of civilization."
~Rudolf Steiner in 1923 (GA 259), quoted in Peter Selg's Rudolf
Steiner's Intentions for the Anthroposophical Society, pg. 70. SteinerBooks, 2011.
Dear Readers,
summary of a talk by Peter Selg on this theme, given at the
AGM in Dornach this past March, is included, as well as
notes from last month's Open Branch Meeting that, too,
dealt with this timely issue of identity. Know thyself ! would
seem to be the words that the society as a whole is
hearkening to at the present moment.
Thanks to Thomas O'Keefe, editor of a new journal
for members of the society called Deepening Anthroposophy, for
allowing me to reprint the Selg article. Members interested
in receiving this new electronic publication may contact
Chanticleer to find out how.
Until the fall,
JSL
With this issue, another volume of Chanticleer, the 22nd, is
complete. The rooster will now take his holiday, to return in
the fall. Please take note of the formidable selection of
conferences, workshops, and other offerings listed in the
back of this newsletter that will be taking place over the
summer months. There are events listed there, such as the
Mystery Drama conference taking place in Spring Valley
this July and the summer offerings from Alkion, that were
not listed in previous months.
The General Society's Annual Theme, The Identity of the
Anthroposophical Society, is in evidence here in this issue. A
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Identity of the Society:
A Report on a Talk by Peter Selg
given at the 2012 General Meeting of the
Anthroposophical Society in Dornach, Switzerland
to understand. But where there is danger, the potential for salvation also grows."
Peter Selg’s contribution on the ‘Identity of the Society’ had a particular relationship both to this theme as such and also to the
circumstances in which he was addressing the Society. It
was, after all, he who had last year asked the question: "What kind of School of Spiritual Science did
Rudolf Steiner want?" With his slim, content-laden
volume Der Vorstand, die Sektionen und die Gese!scha"¹ he
made some important points which were heard. The
Executive Council had the courage and the stature to
invite Peter Selg to address the Annual General Meeting,
in the full knowledge that he would pose some central
questions regarding the present situation of the Society,
including its problematic aspects. And Peter Selg had the
courage and stature to do just that. He spoke directly
and openly about deficiencies and developmental needs
of the Anthroposophical Society. Moreover, it must be
emphasized that—as is by no means always the case in
our Society—he did not speak in generalities but
included specific developments in his considerations.
What follows is an abbreviated summary of his lecture.
% Peter Selg began by saying that 2011, the 150th
anniversary of Rudolf Steiner’s birth, had been an exoteric year for the Society. He expressed
the urgent need for 2012 to be an esoteric year. Not a
year on Rudolf Steiner as a theme but on the question:
How do I stand before Rudolf Steiner? He meant a real,
current relationship.² Then he described Rudolf Steiner’s immense commitment to the Waldorf
School and added: however, first and foremost he gave
his energies to the Anthroposophical Society, to that
social work of art which in its essential dimensions we
have largely failed to understand.
% He saw Rudolf Steiner as a guest on the Earth and
anthroposophy as a mighty gift: for the healing of this
Earth as a whole – as was perhaps still possible at the beginning of last century. "The truths of anthroposophy
are alone capable of establishing human dignity and peace on the Earth." He returned to this theme at the
end. At this point he drew attention to the other pole of
earthly reality in the 20th century: 187 million deaths
through acts of violence—this corresponds to a tenth of
the world population in 1910: "Anthroposophy failed to make its mark." This polarity is an echo of the quotation from St. John’s Gospel: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not been able to master it." ³ And Hölderlin: "God is close and difficult
2
% Such inner contemplation, if applied to the Society,
leads to the awareness: "How small we are; how
arrogant are our perspectives." Ita Wegman’s words are
also still relevant today: "Have we been equal to our task?" Mindful of the greatness of the light of
anthroposophy, great pupils of Rudolf Steiner have, said
Peter Selg, always understood the identity of the
Anthroposophical Society in terms of making
anthroposophy visible and available to human beings,
and seeing the being of Rudolf Steiner as connected with
his work. On the one hand there is the question of
making this work accessible to other seekers; on the
other, responding to the needs of the time. "You always have too small a view of him," said Ita Wegman to her colleagues.
% Bringing Rudolf Steiner’s legacy to bear upon the needs of
the time—this was the basic thrust of the lecture, in its
quest for actual contexts where the identity and tasks of
the Society could be implemented and find fulfillment.
% Peter Selg made his challenge, and after this
introduction he could respond: "Does the Anthroposophical Society need a new identity? No."
Anthroposophy is furnished with a long vista and for
an influence reaching into the future. The changing
nature of the world, he continued, is a reality. On the
other side stands the capacity of anthroposophy to
transcend time. In the world of changing fashions Rudolf
Steiner was caricatured as never before in 2011: with
reverberations reaching far into academic circles, which
publishers tuned-in to biographies of Steiner would
doubtless have picked up: for example, Miriam
Gebhardt’s Rudolf Steiner, ein bulimischer Redner [Rudolf
Steiner, a Bulimic Lecturer] (‘bulimia’ meaning an
addiction to overeating and vomiting). Another factor
was the quiet toleration and acknowledgement of such
biographies by anthroposophical authors. But how would
the Dominicans have reacted, observed Peter Selg, if
Thomas Aquinas had been described in such a way?
There has been a lack of the courage to identify and
condemn lies and psycho-pathology. There has been a
lack of courage to stand up for Rudolf Steiner.
% On the other hand, Rudolf Steiner ’s remark
regarding the reproaches of opponents that "you will
never refute these things other than through positive
work" could represent an effective way of standing up for
anthroposophy. This was the same Rudolf Steiner who
had the courage to refute, rectify, and clearly portray lies
directed towards anthroposophy, even if they appeared
veiled in allegedly enlightened scientific discourse.
% "How are we to manage?" asked Michael
Bauer with regard to the task that faces us with
anthroposophy: "By taking responsibility that people
who seek it are able to find it. What is essential is scattered throughout my work," was the general gist of Rudolf Steiner’s answer. His legacy must be surveyed in its various parts—a task that
Elisabeth Vreede pursued with building up the
Goetheanum library. She created what one would today
call a center of competence, a place where people can go
with questions about the respective areas of
anthroposophy. Knowledge of Rudolf Steiner’s work is something that is increasingly being lost. Again the
underlying message was sounded that the
Anthroposophical Society must learn to take account of
anthroposophical research and to bring it to bear upon
the needs of the time. "Any consideration of success and recognition is harmful," declared Michael Bauer.
Notes
¹
Ita Wegman Institute, Arlesheim 2011. Published in English in a
translation by Christian von Arnim under the title Rudolf Steiner’s Intentions for the Anthroposophical Society, SteinerBooks 2011.
2
I was reminded of the words of Jörgen Smit (member of the
Executive Council 1975 – 1991): ‘The Society has a future only if each person forges a relationship to Rudolf Steiner’.
3
As Ronald Knox suggests in his translation of this passage which has
been translated in so many different ways, giving slightly different shades of meaning, ‘master’ here means both "overcome" and "understand." - Translator
4
Peter Selg, Rudolf Steiner’s Intentions for the Anthroposophical Society,
p. 68.
5
GA 217a, Über den Ausbau der Anthroposophischen Gese"scha#, Address
and Conversation in preparation for the Assembly of Delegates in
Stuttgart on 5 February 1923, p. 99.
% "If in future people come to the Goetheanum to
meet one another rather than to work esoterically, that is the end of the Goetheanum"—the general gist of a
statement by Rudolf Steiner (RT). Peter Selg made a plea
for those people in the world whose souls are inspired by
anthroposophy with a burning desire to gather together
to establish a humanly real point of concentration for
their work here at the Goetheanum. The history of the
Society after Rudolf Steiner’s death has gone through
three phases: first the internal battles, the conflicts
within the Society; then the preserving and protecting of
esotericism; and today—what remains? We stand as a
Society facing two alternatives: meaninglessness or a new
beginning—this is the real identity question. "We can and must question, surely, whether, and if feasible how,
Rudolf Steiner’s demanding concept of the School of Spiritual Science can be realized at all without
him, as initiate. It does, however, strike one as grave and
highly dubious to attempt to perpetuate the institutions
he founded, and the names he gave them, without at the
same time honoring the obligations and tasks associated with them."⁴
Notes from Last Month's Open Branch Meeting
An Open Branch Meeting in preparation for the
Leadership Colloquium and AGM of August 2012 in Ann
Arbor, Michigan was held on May 18th. This meeting
was called to help representatives John Barnes, Nathaniel
Wi!iams, Christiana Wi!iams, and Basil Wi!iams to bring
to the Society Leadership the concerns of the members
of the Anthroposophical Society here in the greater
Harlemville area. An invitation went out to all the
members of the community through Chanticleer. Ten
interested members gathered together and spoke with
honesty and thoughtfulness concerning the status of the
Anthroposophical Society not only in this community
but also how the Society impacts the surrounding
communities, our nation, and the world as a whole.
The general mood of those present was: A change in
the Anthroposophical Society is needed on many
levels.
Points of view were expressed and questions were raised.
The following are excerpts from the discussion:
% How can we be more flexible with encouraging Waldorf
education for other communities, which may include charter
schools? The point was made that there are many
different Waldorf initiatives in our community – and
they are all struggling financially. It seems that people
with initiative “Do what they can, when they can.”
Waldorf Charter Schools are sometimes criticized for
compromising. But governments in European countries
such as Germany and elsewhere fund 80% of Waldorf
education, and Waldorf schools there must make serious
compromises. But each county should develop Waldorf
education in keeping with its own character. Many
Waldorf teachers are not anthroposophists. This can be a
problem; but Rudolf Steiner said that it would work as
% Is what Rudolf Steiner wanted becoming a reality? In
conclusion, Peter Selg asked, hearkening back to the
challenge of the beginning of the lecture, of standing
individually before Rudolf Steiner: how would it be to
encounter him?—Rudolf Steiner once said to a youth
group: "But even if anthroposophy was annihilated, it
would rise up again, for it must do so, there is a need for
it. Either the Earth has a future or it hasn’t. The Earth’s
f u t u r e i s i n s e p a r a b l e f r o m a n t h r o p o s o p h y. If
anthroposophy has no future, mankind as a whole has no future either." That is why it is worth standing up for. "The tendency is alone sufficient."⁵
Summary by Roland Tüscher, co-editor of Initiative E. A.;
translated 'om the German by Simon Blaxland-de Lange.
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long as they supported anthroposophy. One can only find
one’s way to anthroposophy in freedom. It cannot be a
requirement of any kind.
The subject of pioneering institutions or communities
begun with a core group of seasoned and long time students
of Anthroposophy was mentioned. Later, many people join
the community who are not anthroposophists. This would
seem to be a natural occurrence. Each person must come to
Anthroposophy in freedom. The members of new pioneer
communities need encouragement and time to expand and
deepen the impulse of the given initiative. They can feel
very isolated. Steiner spoke to the circle of teachers in the first
Waldorf School and related that when he is not here the
teachers would have to find the spiritual center within their
group (not in a single individual). (Steiner was in the center
of the circle at that time.) This is a Whitsun challenge to all
of us. It goes without saying that where ver an
Anthroposophist goes, he or she can bring a quality that can
shine into whatever task is taken up. We are called upon to
take an interest in what others are doing and to encourage
and celebrate their success. Recognition and appreciation of
who they are with their strivings and their efforts goes a
long way to building an invisible community. In this way a
spiritual solidarity, a kind of community that is not
sustained solely by outer collaboration, but by inner
consciousness can, and does, arise. This spiritual community
can be more effective than one based on a continuous
stream of outer communication.
The question arose: “ What is the identity of the
society?” The quote was given from statute 1 of the
General Anthroposophical Society adopted at the
Christmas Foundation Conference. The Society is to be
“an association of people whose wi! is to nurture the life of the soul,
both in the individual and in human society, on the basis of a true
knowledge of the spiritual world.”
% One of the members was especially troubled by an
article in the latest [Spring 2012] issue of Being Human. On
page 41 we read “Negative first impressions... with members
often turn away those having an interest in anthroposophy...
one rarely finds among the members anyone really
interested in them...this drives away the very people for
whom the Society was established...” % The majority of the members present at the meeting felt
the members of the society should also involve themselves
in reaching outside our inner community. The question
arose as to how we can reach out and be involved in issues
that are important in the community at large.
% On the other hand, it was mentioned that there are
many practical anthroposophical initiatives in our area, but
no real center. Rudolf Steiner spoke of Anthroposophy as
the “mother” of the “daughter movements.” Each daughter
movement seems to have its own anthroposophical study. To
speak of these separate endeavors as “silos” is not quite
accurate, for each serves the world and the other endeavors
in its own way. The anthroposophical movement as
something that embraces and feeds all these initiatives
rarely becomes visible. This can occur in festivals or special
artistic events.
% There needs to be more deepening of spiritual research
and reported methodology in Waldorf education and other
fields of Anthroposophical work. Without it, these
initiatives will stagnate. We need more dialogue with each
other and sharing of activities that are occurring in the
community.
% Two individuals not at the meeting (who are respected
members and therapists of the community) expressed the
following. “I pay my dues and I am connected to
Anthroposophy, yet I find the AGM and Society meetings
boring and lifeless.” As a final summing:
We must change our perspective and expectations in order to
appreciate what others are doing and must do on our behalf. Our
task is not to always seek direction 'om the center of an institution,
but to accept our responsibility and work out of our own spiritual
center and ultimately unite with others “seeking the same goal, with
the spirit beings...”
(
~Christiana and Basil Wi!iams and John Barnes
The "American" or "Threefold" Verse
Sent by Rudolf Steiner to Ralph Courtney for the Threefold Group in New York City,
which later established the Threefold Community in Spring Valley, NY.
May our feeling penetrate
Into the center of our heart,
And seek, in love, to unite itself
With the human beings seeking the same goal,
With the spirit beings who, bearing grace,
Strengthening us from realms of light
And illuminating our love,
Are gazing down upon
Our earnest, heartfelt striving.
4
Thank You!
As of January, 25 2012 we wrote that we were $2000 short of our 2011 Budget Goal. Today I am very happy to report that we have
received $6,850 in 2011 donations of our hoped for $6,900. Such a supportive response! The many handwritten notes and warm wishes
that we received were read to all those present at the Branch Coordinating Meeting, and we wanted to collectively express how much
we appreciate the way our community supports and values the work the Branch is doing by supporting all the cultural initiatives and
work in our area. In addition to our success in meeting 2011’s Budget, we have already received $5,595 towards our 2012 Budget of $5,750. As you can see,
we set a more modest proposed budget for 2012 because of what looked at the time like a significant shortfall in 2011. To achieve this,
we primarily reduced our ability to offer stipends and travel expenses to those who come to our area and lead workshops and give
lectures. If we continue to collect donations by those members who have not yet given a donation for 2012, we will naturally increase
the funds available for such stipends. We feel that even our modest contributions go a long way to improve the substance we wish to
create between us. We hope you all share our sense of gratitude for the many initiatives that we have, collectively, made possible to
support.
)
~Michael Lapointe, for the coordinating group
The fo"owing names are members and $iends who have been able to support the Branch work financia"y either as new or
additional contributions to address our budget shortfa" for 2011, or as contributors for our 2012 Budget Appeal. This listing
of names does not repeat the names of the individuals we listed in our Thank You section of the December 2011 Chanticleer.
Alan Lombardi
Alice L. Pratt
Andree Ward
Anke Smeele
Ann-Elizabeth Barnes &
Richard Meyers
Annalee & George Riley
Anthony Mecca
Arva Deris
Barbara W Sblendorio
Basil & Christina Williams
Beatrice Birch
Branko Furst & Christina
Porkert
Briane & Anna Ree
Caroline M. Gordon
Cate Decker & Charles
Doheny
Cecilia Elinson
Channa Seidenberg
Christa Montano
Christiana Wall
Christiane Marks
Christopher & Signe
Schaefer
Craig & Henrike Holdrege
Daniel Haldeman
David Anderson
Davina Muse
Deborah A Enright
Diane E. Schmitt-Poland
Danica Walkiser
Dorothea Mier
Dorothy L. Haller
Doug Schmolze
Douglas & Fern Sloan
Douglas Feick
Edward M. Scherer
Elizabeth Lombardi
Elizabeth Wiley
Eugene P. Gollogly
Gary Lamb
Glen R. Williamson
Gloria Kemp
Gregor & Jeanne SimonMacDonald
Hans Schumm
Harry Kretz
Helen Wolff
Helvi McClelland
Jean C. Zay
Jo Valens
Joan Roach
John Baring
John Barnes
John Kevin Fallow
Joseph & Diane Haley
Judith Keily
Judith Soleil
Julie Boothroyd
K. David Schultz
Karen & Bruce Frishkoff
Karen Moller-Liberty
Therapeutic Center
Karole A. Delaney
Kathleen Bradley
Kathleen Clark
Kathleen Derosa-Lazare
Kathleen L. Hildreth
Kathleen Williams
Laura & Stuart Summer
Lauren M. Wolff
Franziska Hesse
Lotte F. France
Luigi Morelli
Marc Clifton
Margaret R. Rosenthaler
Margrit H. Metreaux
Marsha K. Post
Martin M. Miller
Martina A. Muller
Marty Hunt
Mary Ann Haley
Matthew Davis
Matthew M. Cain
Michael Lapointe
Monica Amstutz
Nancy & John Root
Natalie C. Shiras
Nicolas & Gisela
Franceschelli
Nicole E. Furnee
Patrice O'Neil Maynard
Patrick Stolfo
Paul E. Margulies
Paul J. Glavin
5
Paul Zachos
Phyllis Skaller
Raimond Flynn
Randall E. Ruppart Ph.D.
Rebecca & Seth RobertsMorrison
Renate A. Pank
Renate Reiss
Richard Lumma
Robert M. Logsdon
Robert Oelhaf
Roderick Sipe
Rudolf Steiner Library
Ruth Bruns
Santiago Ortiz
Sonni Chamberland
Sophia Kunz
Steffen & Rachel Schneider
Susan R. Joplin
Susan W. Gardner
Sylvia Bausman
Takeshi & Akiko Suesada
Ted Pugh
The Gerard Wagner
Foundation
The Harrisons
Tim Paholok
Travis Henry
Ursula Lehnhardt
Wanda Root
Webster & Ann Beal
William & Hannahlore Inglis
Announcements
Six Exercise Group The group studying and working with the six basic exercises has completed a third cycle. During the
months of June, July and August we will turn our attention to the retrospective exercise and some of the preparation exercises
from Knowledge of Higher Worlds. We meet every Sunday at 5:30 pm. If you are interested in joining this work you may
contact Laura Summer 518 672 7302 [email protected]
Presentations and Concerts by Manfred Bleffert: On Wed., June 20 and Wed., June 27, at 7:30 pm, visiting musicologist, musician, and composer Manfred
Bleffert will speak about his theme Color and Music through the Circle of the Year. Manfred is an international acclaimed
musician and pianist with new and inspiring ideas and music. Come and experience his gifts on these two evenings in
the Music Room of Hawthorne Valley School. Not to be missed! Donations at door.
For information call 325-1113.
Local CONCERTS by Manfred Bleffert:
Friday, June 22, 7:30 pm concert at the Christian Community, 10 Green River Lane, Hillsdale --TONE
COLORS- Improvisation with Bleffert instruments and instruments made by participants in the just completed
Instrument Building Workshop. Come to experience these beautiful tones filled with warmth and light and spatially
sounding. Suggested donation: $15/10. For information call 325-1113.
Friday, June 29, 7:30 pm in the Music Room of Hawthorne Valley School - closing concert with Manfred Bleffert
and the participants of the just completed course on New Music Improvisation. All are welcome. Donations
accepted.
Friday, July 6, 2012 , 7:30 pm concert in the Assembly Hall of Hawthorne Valley School. A Fourth of July
concert by Manfred Bleffert in the lovely acoustically savvy Hall of HVS. Come to experience the colorful, exquisite
tonal surprises of this evening. Suggested donation: $15/10 or what you can. For info call 325-1113.
Village Harmony Teen World Music Ensemble Local Concerts and Workshop
Village Harmony, the unique and lively Vermont based youth world music singing ensemble, presents two area concerts. Led by Suzannah Park, Carl
Linich and Gideon Crevoshay, the 24 bold and talented teenage singers perform old ballads and sea shanties, soulful gospel numbers, toe tapping
Appalachian clogging and fiddle tunes, ancient secular and sacred music from Caucasus Georgia, contemporary American shape-note songs, and
medieval motets. Suggested admission at the door is $10, $5 for students and seniors.
Workshop: Saturday, June 30 at the Christian Community in Hillsdale, 10 Green River Road, off Rt 71
($10/$5) 3:30-5:30 pm--Potluck 5:30-6:30 pm—Concert 7:30 pm
Concert: Sunday, July 1 at 7:30 pm in Hudson, NY at Time & Space Limited, 434 Columbia Street
Suggested admission for concerts at the door is $10, $5 for students and seniors.
For information and to register for the workshop call Liza Marcato, 518-325-1166
Resonare: Foundation Studies in Music Out of Anthroposophy, begins a new cycle in September 2012.
This course, currently in its 5th year, is open to all who have an interest in exploring the elements of music. Course content includes singing, work with
the lyre, study of Rudolf Steiner’s lectures from The Inner Nature of Music, as well as music theory. The primary focus is on developing one’s
capacities for listening and investigating the unique qualities of tone. Participants explore the relationship of the human being to tones and intervals
and apply this understanding to musical improvisation. Movement sessions, including Spacial Dynamics and Eurythmy, are part of each weekend.
Working in a small group, the structure is designed to provide ample time for experiential learning in a supportive environment.
The schedule for the Resonare Music Foundation course consists of five long weekends from September 2012 through May 2013.
We begin with a supper each Thursday evening and end by mid-day Sunday.
The dates for the 2012-2013 cycle are:
September 13-16; November 8th-11th; January 10th-13th; March 7th-10th, and May 2nd -5th.
Sessions take place at the Harmonia Center for Instrumental and Vocal Music Therapy based in Philmont, NY.
The tuition for all five sessions is $1850. *Applications are now being accepted for September.
For more information, please contact Channa Seidenberg at (518) 672-4389. E-mail: [email protected]
Saturday and Sunday, June 2nd and 3rd: Join the Festivities for the conclusion of this year’s Free Columbia
Art Course: An exhibit at 84 Main Street In Philmont (next to the Family Dollar) and two performances on the Village Green.
We will have an opening of the exhibit showing samples from this year’s painting and drawing exercises from 1-3 on Saturday June 3rd (The
display will be open for viewing from 1pm-7pm on both Saturday June 2nd and Sunday June 3rd)
6
Rip Van Winkle’s Long Nap, a large puppet and Mask show will be performed by the Free Columbia amateur puppet troupe on
Saturday June 2, 3:30 pm (Sunday June 3, 3:30 is our rain date.)
The show will be on the Village Green in Philmont. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair. This is an all age show.
Call Nathaniel Williams at 672-4090 if you have any questions.
June Meetings and Events
First Class Study: Wednesday, June 6th at 7:00 pm Rudolf Steiner Library. Call Hanna 325-3648 or John
518-325-1113.
The Theme of the Year Branch Study Group: Friday, June 8th at 7:30 pm at Camphill Ghent
The June Branch Study Group Meeting will be at the Camphill Ghent, in the west wing of the Care House (Adult Home 1) at
the top of the circle. Please prepare by studying the following talk: Lecture of August 3rd, 1924 from Karmic Relations III,
(GA 237). Participants are invited to speak about something in the lecture that they found particularly striking.
Please call Nick Franceschelli for more at 518 721 8410.
MOVING THE AFFECTIONS - Music for Two on 7 Instruments
performed by Annette von Brenndorff and Christina Porkert
Friday, June 8th, 7:00PM at Camphill Ghent, 2542 Rt. 66, Chatham
Sunday, June 10th, 4:00PM at The Christian Community, 10 Green River Lane, Hillsdale
This “all baroque special” comes in the wake of Annette and Christina’s previous enthusiastically received musical offering. This time they will lead
us into the rich musical landscape of the 18th century on period instruments such as baroque oboe, oboe da caccia, oboe d’amore, recorders (Annette)
and baroque cello (Christina). Donations gratefully accepted at the door. All proceeds of Sunday’s concert will be donated to The Christian
Community. For information call 518-758-2428
The Branch Coordinating Group: Monday, June 11th at 3:00pm at the Rudolf Steiner Library.
These are open meetings: all are welcome who want to take an active part in the life of our branch of the Anthroposophical Society..
Call Nicolas Franceschelli, 721-8410
Saturday, June 16th at 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 17th at 9 a.m.
First Class: Free Rendering and Reading of Lesson XIX, respectively.
Rudolf Steiner Library. Call Hanna 518-325-3648 or John 518-325-1113
On Wednesday, JUNE 20th, at 11:00 a.m. JOIN US for the second event in our new series at CAMPHILL GHENT.
The Rudolf Steiner Library is sponsoring “Books Alive!” an opportunity to meet local authors, actors, researchers, farmers,
artists, and more. Enjoy their presentations, then chat with them over lunch. ROBERT LOGSDON, lazure artist extraordinaire,
will speak about the process and benefits of this technique for enlivening spaces with transparent layers of color. The FREE presentation begins at
11:00 a.m. The delicious, organic lunch at 12:30 is optional, costs $8.00, and requires reservations. (Please make your lunch reservations no
later than FRIDAY June 15: (518) 672-7690).The library will display books from the collection relating to the presentation. Questions? Call the
library at (518)672-7690. This is the last presentation this spring; the series will break for the summer and resume in September. CAMPHILL
GHENT: 2542 Route 66, Chatham, NY 12037. Follow driveway to the top and park in lot on left. Event is in the blue building (#110/112).
Sunday, June 24, 8:00 - Lecture 11 (St. John's Day) The Festival Study Group will end the year with discussion of two
lectures from Rudolf Steiner's Background to the Gospel of Mark that will highlight themes we worked with earlier in the year. At
the home of Margaret Rosenthaler and Gloria Kemp (518) 672-4253, 4844
A St. John's Festival honoring the elemental beings and Spiritual Beings in nature
Saturday, June 30th from 4:30pm to 6:00pm
This St John's Festival will take place at the home of Dr. Basil and Christiana Williams on May Hill Rd near Harlemville. All
are welcome to participate in making together healing substances for the elemental beings and the good earth. Join us and
bring any poems, recitations of the season, songs, musical instruments you would like to share. Afterwards at 6:00pm join in with a potluck supper. For information and directions call 518 672-4332.
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Summer 2012: Conferences, Workshops, and other Offerings
Free Columbia Summer Art Courses
Color and Music Through the Circle of the Year
Three courses with renowned and inspiring musician and visual artist - Manfred Bleffert
June 16-22 – Instrument Building - The breathing process of the earth, and of the cosmos, as a musical base for the
development of new instruments and musical form. We will make iron and copper gongs and Glockenspiel.
June 25-29 – New Music Improvisation - What does music want to become now and in the future? And what is North
America’s role in the development of new music? With Manfred’s guidance, we will explore these questions together through
ever-varied improvisation and listening exercises. Using both our own instruments and Manfred’s uniquely designed new
instruments (chimes, gongs, Glockenspiele, among others), we will bring to consciousness the elements of musical breathing
and listening that allow new musical experiences to come to birth. In this co-creative process, each individual contributes to
the breathing, listening, and sounding within the group. All experience levels welcome!
July 2-6 – Color and Tone in Relation to Rudolf Steiner’s Soul Calendar - Using painting and music we will
explore the cycle of the year in creative process. We will work with the relationships of color and tone in the Calendar of the
Soul by Rudolf Steiner. We will see what is revealed in gesture and movement when we enter the world of tone, color, sound
and form as we follow the course of the year.
Manfred Bleffert has dedicated his life to developing new music. His work includes a unique approach to graphic notation, composition and
instrument building. His research is both broad and profound. His compositions are improvisational and unique. He is both a musician and a visual
artist and a dynamic and inspiring teacher.
July 14-18 -- 5 days of experimental work with color, light, music and puppetry
with Laura Summer, Nathaniel Williams, Faye Shapiro and Marisa Michelson
July 23-27 -- Seeing the Word through Painting : a workshop with Laura Summer
Working with poems and stories as well as watercolor, pastel, charcoal, and collage we will explore this subject. Through
relaxing our expectations, while playfully manipulating our media, we will experience the realm of creation and develop skills
for our further work.
July 23-27 -- Orientation Toward an Inner Voice: Vocal Experimentation with Composed and Improvised
Music with Marisa Michelson and Faye Shapiro
The lands of the soul open up and show themselves to us- we see them with our imagination, we travel them with our voices...
With exercises aimed to free the body and awaken the soul we will explore possibilities given to us in the voice. We will
improvise together and compose music in real time, we will try to find a relationship to music inside, around and outside of
ourselves with the aid of imagining. All that is needed is the desire to sing.
❊All of the work at Free Columbia is based on an understanding of the importance of creating a free cultural space, therefore there are no set tuitions.
Rather we offer suggested donation amounts based on what it costs to run courses. If you prefer it is possible to make a monthly pledge to support Free
Columbia rather than making a one time donation.
❊A commodity fee of $180 will be charged to each participant in the instrument building workshop. This fee is related to your being able to take
home the instrument you build. This fee is in addition to the suggested donation.
❊5 day courses suggested donation: $250 – 450; (Instrument building fee: $180)
All supplies are included but not housing or food. Contact: Laura Summer 518 672 7302 [email protected]
Summer Courses at the Nature Institute
Coming Alive to Nature: The World of Color and Light, with Craig Holdrege, Henrike Holdrege & Nathaniel Williams.
June 17 to 23. Our public summer course is for people from all walks of life and will provide a practical introduction to
Goethean phenomenology. In this course we want to practice Goethe’s way of knowing in all its aspects and gain greater
insight into human experience and the nature of light and color. We will engage in nature observation, experiments and
painting, as well as in conversation about Goethe’s method of research. We will train capacities that we can engage in other
fields of life. To receive a registration form, contact The Nature Institute: email [email protected] or call
518-672-0116 or visit our website www.natureinstitute.org for more information about the course.
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Bringing Science to Life: Coming to our Senses, A Course for Science Teachers with Craig Holdrege, Henrike
Holdrege & Jon McAlice. July 8 to 14. As educators we have the wonderful profession of guiding our students on pathways
into the world. In our Bringing Science to Life course this year, we want to focus on the senses, our primary gateway to
experience. We want to research the nature of sense experience itself and the qualities of different senses. Based on these
explorations we will discuss the significance direct encounter in learning and how this can be achieved in a variety of ways
through different disciplines. In the course we will draw on Steiner’s work concerning the differentiation of the senses and
their relation to science and education. Collegial exchange and concrete scientific exploration are essential parts of this course.
To receive a registration form, contact The Nature Institute: email [email protected] or call 518-672-0116 or visit our
website www.natureinstitute.org for more information about the course.
DRAMA FOR THE LITTLE AND MIDDLE FOLK with Laurie Portocarrero
June 11-15 - 9:00 am to 1:00 pm; ages 7-11
$225 tuition ($200 if registered before May 26th)
Windy Hill Barn (#1030 County Rte 21, between Fern Hill Rd. and Route 7)
Please send bag lunch/snack, sunhat, rain-gear as needed.
Potluck picnic after 12:00 noon shared performance on Friday, June 15th.
Drama for the Little Folk was born in the summer of 2004, when a friend requested some sort of drama camp for her children. Astoundingly,
this summer celebrates its ninth year! – summers of singing, playing, and telling stories, of games and whispers, walks and picnics in the grass;
summers of weaving out of our communion a story-play filled with colorful characters, unique choreography, song and music, created by us all and
shared with pride and joy with our families and friends at the end of our time together.
Let’s do it again, and make this one the best yet. Send your Little and Middle Folk to join us in our summer play with theater this June, and we
shall see what stories of human heart and humor emerge to bring challenge and delight and the deep satisfaction of creating together.
We look forward to another summer of creative riches and discovery, and to seeing many old and new faces!
~Laurie Portocarrero 518 672-4378, home; 518 567-6766, cell; [email protected]
Alkion Center - Arts in Education Summer Intensive 2012
Sunday eve., June 24 - Friday afternoon, June 29 at Hawthorne Valley School
Daily Morning presentations: The Quest of Parzival, the Art of Teaching, and the Adolescent with Eric Muller
Elective Blocks: Handwork in the Early Grades Almuth Kress; Projective Geometry Karen Sipe; Painting,
Drawing Martina Muller; Stained Glass Lawre Stone; Stone Carving Patrick Stolfo
Afternoon Seminars on: Early Childhood Education Andy Ward; Mathematics through the Grades Karen Sipe;
Teaching History in the High School Stephen Sagarin
Tuesday eve., June 26, 7:30 - a special talk and conversation: Exploring the Essentials of Waldorf School Governance
with Kathleen Young
The Alkion Center is also now taking applications for the 2012-13 Foundation Studies, Teacher Training, Sculpture,
and Painting Courses.
For more detailed information, faculty profiles, and enrollment: www.alkioncenter.org [email protected] 518-672-8008
July 2012 Mystery Drama Conference: The Guardian of the Threshold: Our Spiritual Mentor
Wednesday, July 18–Sunday, July 22, 2012
Full Performance: Saturday, July 21, 2:30 to 10 pm
At the Threefold Educational Center, Chestnut Ridge, NY
Lectures by Barbara Renold John Alexandra, Daniel Hafner, Herbert O. Hagens, Stephen Usher, and Els Woutersen.
With conversation groups, acting workshops, evening performances, and more.
Housing arrangements are the responsibility of the participants. For information and on-campus reservations, visit www.threefold.org/housing.
Meals will be available for purchase at Threefold Café.
If you want to attend the conference and/or performance but are unable because of financial reasons, please contact Barbara
Renold at [email protected] or 845-356-0674. For other questions, contact:
Lory Widmer, Registrar, 845-352-5020 x18; [email protected]
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Two Arteum Summer Painting Courses at Windy Hill Studio Barn
Color and the Human Being
July 30 through August 4, with Hans Schumm (Includes Eurythmy, TBA).
We will explore and work towards different images of the human being. Using color as our starting point, rather than mental
images, we will experience how color itself may lead the way towards characteristic and often humorous images by using diverse
sequences. The four temperaments will be part of our investigations as well as Rudolf Steiner’s “Head Study” created out of light
and darkness. For further details contact Hans at 518-672-5746 or [email protected]
Painting with Children in Waldorf Schools
August 17-22, with Gail McManus.
An intensive six-day course for Waldorf teachers and parents. Includes guidance in blackboard drawing and various
demonstrations. Gail specializes helping teachers to create a meaningful painting curriculum throughout the grades. Gail presently
teaches in California but she can be reached by e-mail: [email protected] or by telephone at 310-453-5387; mobile:
588-2578
The Economics of Education: Literacy, Pedagogy, Funding
August 16-18, 2012, Hawthorne Valley School, Harlemville, NY
A public conference geared towards a better understanding of the interplay between education and economics in a Waldorf school
community. The gathering is an opportunity for professional development and networking, and is suitable for administrators,
teachers, funders, board members, high school students, Waldorf alumni, and interested business persons. This conference is a
follow up to the initial gathering held by the Economic Literacy Project in August 2011. For conference updates and information on
an online economic literacy exchange group, please e-mail Caitlin Peerson, [email protected].
• Practical aspects of pedagogy with an emphasis on economic literacy teaching methods, assessments, and resources.
• Exploring new paradigms for funding education in a community setting.
For conference updates and information on an online economic literacy exchange group, please e-mail Caitlin Peerson,
[email protected].
RECLAIMING THE HEART OF ANTHROPOSOPHY
SteinerBooks Research Seminar –– Summer 2012
With Peter Selg
Great Barrington, MA August 24 – 25, 2012
Despite the Anthroposophical Society having been in existence in its renewed form for more than eighty years, a level of mystery
and uncertainty still surrounds it, as well as Rudolf Steiner, his teachers, and collaborators; the meaning, mission, and function of
Anthroposophy; and the forms created to bring Anthroposophy into the world––the Anthroposophical Society itself, and within it,
as its esoteric heart, the First Class of the School for Spiritual Science.
In this seminar, Professor Dr. Peter Selg, by a consideration of some aspects of spiritual history and biography, will seek to cast new
light on questions concerning the esoteric heart of Anthroposophy and its spiritual and social tasks. Further, he will discuss how we
can find our way to spiritual practice and spiritual research today.
The lectures by Peter Selg are: Rudolf Steiner and Christian Rosenkreutz; The Spiritual Task of the Anthroposophical Society & the School for
Spiritual Science; Ita Wegman’s Social Impulse for Anthroposophy; Ita Wegman’s Task in the School for Spiritual Science.
This seminar is for everyone, whether new to Anthroposophy, a long-time student, or a member of the Anthroposophical
Society.Seminar Fee: $150
In addition there will be a special session of the First Class on Sunday morning, August 26, for Class members who have
attended the full seminar. For the full brochure contact Marsha Post at 413-528-8233 or by email at [email protected].
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June 2012
(Please see the Announcements or Events
Section for details)
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
FREE
COLUMBIA
EXHIBIT
Saturday
2
FREE COLUMBIA
EXHIBIT
RIP VAN WINKLE
3
4
5
6
FIRST CLASS
STUDY
AT RSL
7
8
9
BRANCH STUDY
AT CAMPHILL
GHENT
MOVING THE
AFFECTIONS
CONCERT
10
MOVING THE
AFFECTIONS
CONCERT
11
BRANCH
COORDINATING
GROUP
17
18
1ST CLASS AT RSL
12
13
14
15
19
20
BOOKS ALIVE!
21
22
23
MANFRED
BLEFFERT
PERFORMANCE
28
29
30
MANFRED
St. John's Festival
BLEFFERT
at the Williams'
PERFORMANCE
MANFRED
BLEFFERT
PRESENTATION
24
St. John’s
25
26
27
MANFRED
BLEFFERT
PRESENTATION
Chanticleer is published monthly, September through June, and is paid for by annual
dues and contributions given by members of the Berkshire-Taconic Branch of the
Anthroposophical Society. Annual dues are $50. Checks may be written payable to the
Berkshire-Taconic Branch and mailed to Michael Lapointe, P.O. Box 521 Philmont, NY
12565. Our email address is [email protected].
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1ST CLASS AT RSL
Newsletter of the Berkshire-Taconic Branch of
the Anthroposophical Society
P.O. Box 521
Philmont, NY 12565
Chanticleer
Chanticleer exists to serve the mission of the Berkshire-Taconic Branch of the Anthroposophical Society, which is to put forward
into this region of the United States the spiritual science of Rudolf Steiner, with its power to work within us in a transformative
way.
Chanticleer aims to be a listening ear and a public voice for Anthroposophical striving in our region, through the publication of
articles, announcements, and a calendar of events. We welcome articles, poetry, reports, commentary, and images that meet at least
one of the following criteria:
It has a relationship to the Anthroposophical work in our region.
It is an original work by an anthroposophist or by a friend of anthroposophy in our region.
It is an inspirational piece or excerpt from the work of Rudolf Steiner or other anthroposophists.
Submissions for Chanticleer may be sent via email to [email protected].
Items selected for publication may be edited for style, content, and/or length.
The deadline for submissions is the 15th of the month prior to the next month of
publication.
Editor: John Scott Legg, 518-672-7588; Art Work: Ella Lapointe; Treasurer: Michael Lapointe
Additional Coordinating Group members: Nancy & John Root Sr., John Barnes, Dr. Basil & Christina Willams, Nathaniel