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Each international lyre conference is shaped by the geography
and character of the country in which it is held, as well as the
atmosphere and logistics of the particular location in
that country. Of course, it is also greatly influenced by the
personalities and vision of the organizers and what each
of the individual participants brings to the conference.
A less obvious element, perhaps, is the international lyre
community as a whole and where it is in its development.
It was fascinating to experience the convergence of these different
elements at the Fourth International Lyre Conference, held in
July 31-August 3, 2009, Järna, Sweden.
Conference activities were divided between two quite different
locations. At the Orjan School, an anthroposophic training
center, the terrain is level and flows into fields and pastures.
Especially remarkable is the design—both anthroposophical
and Swedish—of the colorful buildings. Most of us were housed
here, and in the adjacent Kulturhuset (right), a magnificent cultural
center, we attended concerts and rehearsed as a large group. At
the other location, the Solvik (Waldorf) School (below), we were
challenged by a rougher terrain, particularly by the steep hill
in which the school buildings are embedded and by extremely irregular
stone steps. Our reward for meeting this challenge was a beautiful
view of forests and a glimpse of a body of sparkling water. Here
too, the buildings are remarkable and colorful, but more like
something out of a Swedish fairy tale.
The conference organizers—Kjell Andersson and Sigrid
Lusk (assisted by her husband Michael)—chose the theme of
"Creative Improvisation" because it is central to the
work of Pär Ahlbom, who lives near and helped found the Solvik
school. On a couple of occasions, he led the entire gathering
in exercises in coordination and improvisation, and he did similar
work with smaller groups during the workshop periods. Notably
missing from this conference were the lectures we had experienced
at earlier conferences. Since improvisation must be experienced
firsthand, this seemed appropriate.
Most of the workshops also related to the conference theme. Joanna
Carey and I were privileged to present a workshop on improvising
with the planetary scales, a particularly American offering.
As noted by one participant, the theme of improvisation actually
"pervaded every detail of this event." For example,
the logistical challenge of the two locations required a certain
amount of extemporization, especially since most of us had to
ride a bus between the two conference sites and schedules kept
changing.
Undoubtedly, the greatest feat of creative improvisation was performed
by our own Sheila Johns and Channa Seidenberg along with Anna
Cooper and Sara Boyd from Northern Ireland. Because the local
organizers had not provided for a program for the youth but there
were young people present who wanted one, these four managed to
create a youth program on the spot. This was an extraordinary
achievement, especially since they had organized the Lyre Pedagogy
Conference held immediately before the main conference.
One part of the organizers' vision was to encourage participants
to explore the region, and to that end they organized very successful
tours of Stockholm and its archipelago islands on the two days
following the conference.
There were nearly 190 participants, from sixteen countries,
ranging from Japan and Australia to Brazil. Most were from Europe,
of course, but there were nineteen adults and one young person
from North America. Many performed in the numerous concerts that
were offered, and nearly all played the "Festival Music"
by Volker Dillman in the public concert on the last evening. In
addition to the joy of hearing each performance, it was fascinating
and enlightening to take in the enormous range of styles of music,
all being played on the lyre.
Central to any international lyre conference are the lyre
builders. Because organizational duties had prevented me
from visiting their displays much at earlier conferences, I allowed
myself ample time with them at this conference, trying out many
lyres and talking with the builders. Since the first world conference
in Hamburg in 2000, it has been wonderful to see this group overcome
disagreements and isolation to become increasingly harmonious
and supportive of one another. In Sweden, the mood in the lyre
builder's display room was the most amicable that I had ever experienced.
As in past years, the participants were treated to a demonstration
of the sounds of the builders' lyres. (A small sample of lyres
displayed is shown at right)
Just as the small community of lyre builders has become stronger
and closer over the years, so has the international lyre community
evolved, mostly through these conferences. It is my impression
that the most valuable part of a conference can be in the non-structured,
in between times, such as conversations and interactions over
meals or while waiting for the next workshop to begin. In Sweden,
bonds between past participants were intensified and newcomers
found a warm welcome in the group. In the workshops and concerts,
we affirmed our common values and goals and we celebrated and
learned from our differences. Then, on the morning after the conference,
many of us met as a community, to discuss our future. More than
ever before, there was a wish to foster our connections between
conferences, to develop a vision for our future, and to work together
toward this vision. (Specific plans and initiatives will be described
in the next issue of the Lyre Notes.) Lyre 2009 was a success!
My heartfelt thanks to the organizers and everyone who attended
for making this possible!
—Submitted by Samantha Embrey (Piney River, VA)
Editor’s note: Check out the Lyre 2009 website (www.lyre2009.com
), which has been updated to include workshop reports and conference
photos as well as information about how to order DVDs of some
concerts. Also, there are more Lyre 2009 photos on the LANA site,
www.lyreamerica.net.)
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First International Lyre Pedagogy
Conference
Editor's Note: This conference was held from the evening of
July 28 through the morning of July 30 and was organized by Sarah
Boyd, Anna Cooper, Sheila Johns, and Channa Seidenberg. There
were about 40 participants.
The First International Lyre Pedagogy Conference, immediately
preceding the International Lyre Conference in Järna, Sweden
this past summer, was truly amazing and inspiring. The conference
was well attended and there were ten presenters. Each presenter
had his or her special way of teaching the lyre with delightful
imaginations. It was wonderful to see the manifold way in which
the Spirit manifests itself through each and every one of us.
The participants bonded well together in spite of not having a
common language, and a group will work together to help the next
pedagogical lyre workshop form and take place. I am grateful to
my colleagues for all that I learned at this workshop and for
their respect and friendship.
—Submitted by Diane Ingraham Barnes, Hillsdale, NY |
