“When I gave my first concert in Chartes, I felt that the cathedral almost kicked me out. ‘Get out with you!’ she said. For I was young and I tried to perform as I always did: by just playing my violin. But then I realized that in Chartes you actually cannot play your small violin, but you have to play the macro violin. The small violin is the instrument that is in your hands. The macro-violin is the whole cathedral that surrounds you. The cathedral of Chartes is built entirely according to musical principles. Playing the macro violin requires you to listen and to play from another place, from the periphery. You have to move your listening and playing from within to beyond yourself.” ~from violinist, Miha Pogacnik.
Our quest at Rainbow is so far beyond teaching children how to “play their little violins,” that we operate in another galaxy than most schools: We want them to vibrate from beyond (to use Pogacnik’s word). We want every child to sing their heart out!
Rainbow graduates are known to be brilliant. Brilliance is something more than smart or well-educated. Brilliance is indescribable light – so bright it fills us with inspiration. Brilliance captures something that is beyond us and vibrates within us. So what is the formula for teaching brilliance?
The arts are one of the most important means of helping children tap into spirit, or the powers beyond and within us. The arts help teach children how to play their macro violin. When one is truly creating, something takes over that is beyond articulation. When a group of people create together… a force even larger exists. Finally, when that creation is shared with an audience– if the magic happens– everyone is united in something that no one can describe. Welcome to the first IMAGINE performance in our own auditorium – our own humble version of Chartes Cathedral. Sit back, enjoy, and help us play the macro violin together today. Our quest is a journey into the beyond.
Our 7th and 8th graders are having a great time in Washington D.C. on their end of year trip! Yesterday, they started with a metro ride to the zoo. The metro at the zoo is the deepest in DC. Check out the picture of the kiddos on the elevator!
They had lunch at Noodle & Company (yumm) and spent some time in the national museums. Everyone is having a blast… what a group of kids!
IMAGINE! It’s a hero’s journey, with plenty of opportunity to make fun of ourselves along the way– and it’s all created right here. Justin Pilla developed the concept and wrote the script. Except for a few of the recorded songs, IMAGINE is completely composed, written, designed, directed, and choreographed by Rainbow teachers, visiting artists, and students.The 1st-6th grade IMAGINE play is a sequel! In 2013, IMAGINE was titled “The Quest of Rainbow Mountain.” Our journey continues, and much has changed (including the name of our school.) “Know thyself” was the theme in Part I, when our brave protagonists had to master each of the Seven Domains. Last year, in Part II, Zarkon the Magnificent and his minion aliens tried to take over Rainbow and the Earth. In the end, love transformed all, including Zarkon himself, who re-emerges in this year’s Imagine (after taking a course in compassionate communication). In 2015, we have gone from looking inward to… An Expanding Universe! This year, the dramatic tension is between creativity versus logic. Which one will dominate?
For an intriguing statement from our executive director, Renee Owen, click here.
We would like to congratulate the staff and students for such an amazing and heartfelt show. Special thanks to all the parents and our Asheville community who attended the performance.
I’ve finally gotten a message from the Universe that my time at Rainbow is ended. The love and support you have shown me—especially during the Evil Hip incident—will always be part of me. But the children, ah, the children—they are 90% of me.
Their love is so overwhelming. They give so much, without even being aware, they just ARE. Their smiles, hugs, their “Hey, Ruthie,” have kept me young.
Lines of them going by and most of them slowing down to hug. Walking into a classroom and being “attacked” even as the teacher is asking them to stay seated. Telling stories to attentive, “listening eyes.” A boy running across the playground, leaving games and friends, to give and receive a hug—WOW! that’s powerful! Watching them grow and become young ladies and gentlemen, but never too “mature” to give an old teacher a hug.
Kids, you are so lucky to be in a school where your teachers love you all, but even more amazing, your teachers love each other and show it so you can see it. There is so much security in that. I wish for each of you a workplace some day where you’ll have that atmosphere.
I love my family and friends and kids—I love you so much and will miss you.
The 1st-6th grade IMAGINE play is a sequel! In 2013, IMAGINE was titled “The Quest of Rainbow Mountain.” Our journey continues, and much has changed (including the name of our school.) “Know thyself” was the theme in Part I, when our brave protagonists had to master each of the Seven Domains. Last year, in Part II, Zarkon the Magnificent and his minion aliens tried to take over Rainbow and the Earth. In the end, love transformed all, including Zarkon himself, who re-emerges in this year’s Imagine (after taking a course in compassionate communication). In 2015, we have gone from looking inward to… An Expanding Universe! This year, the dramatic tension is between creativity versus logic. Which one will dominate?
