Week I

This course invites participants to explore the “primal” origins of music, tracing its evolution through various eras up to the 21st century, while maintaining a global perspective. We will examine the spiritual foundations of music from around the world and the universal principles that govern its expression. Key examples will be highlighted to represent distinct locations and time periods, illustrating the fascinating development of human consciousness through music.

Throughout the course, examples from each era will be shared—both live and recorded—with opportunities for collaboration among participants. Guidance will also be provided on how the course themes connect to the Waldorf curriculum, with a special focus on the History through Music block in 11th grade.

This course offers a deep immersion in nature, using observation, color theory, mood, and various techniques to create drawings and paintings that enhance perception and reveal insights about the world around us. Participants will listen to the gurgling of brooks as they study and draw trees, grasses, and landscapes, explore color combinations, learn techniques for depicting water, and use light, dark, and texture to create depth in foregrounds, middle grounds, and backgrounds.

We will primarily work with pastels, charcoal, and pencils, with occasional use of watercolor. If weather prevents outdoor work, we will bring elements of nature into the classroom to continue our studies. Each exercise will be introduced with detailed instruction, and nature itself will guide our artistic journey.

The process emphasizes starting with the heart—drawing and painting intuitively—before analyzing and refining with the head later. This approach fosters not only artistic growth but also sharpens observational skills essential for understanding developmental, social, and environmental contexts.

The central focus of this course is modeling the human head. Early childhood participants will have the unique opportunity to sculpt an infant or child’s head, while the open studio environment also accommodates additional or alternative themes.

The contours of the human head reflect the cosmic dome of the spirit, the character of the soul, and the noble anatomy. Using the coiling technique as the foundation, participants will work from the whole to the parts, building hollow forms that can be shaped both from the interior and exterior. The process culminates in the addition of essential and expressive details.

No prior experience is necessary—this course is open to all skill levels.

Participants will explore and practice the seven copper rod exercises, accompanied by music. These fun yet challenging exercises help develop coordination, rhythmic precision, cooperation, and mental focus. Additionally, we will discuss the importance of copper rod exercises in Steiner education and therapy.

This year’s Mood of the Fifth course will be a hands-on, immersive experience. We will reference Rudolf Steiner’s insights on the importance of music in intervals of the fifth for children under the age of 9, as outlined in his lecture collection The Inner Nature of Music and the Experience of Tone.

The course will include voice and singing exercises, as well as learning to play the kinderharp. Gradually, participants will integrate the voice and kinderharp, working together to learn and share several songs in the Mood of the Fifth. As a culminating activity, each participant will compose a short song for children, to be written, played, and sung in the Mood of the Fifth.

A key aim of this course is to build confidence in teachers, equipping them to bring this special musical approach into their work with children.

In this course, we bring an overview of the Festival Life in the Kindergarten – the essential elements and practical details. We will create a Summer Solstice nature table with simple needle felting projects, such as butterflies, birds, and fish.  And perhaps an elemental Bee-ing will come to join the fun!