Yesterday I had the privilege of being a part of something so extraordinary, a very massive and widespread event (participation included many schools and musicians across the country, ultimately connected with the International Space Station that was directly above the city of Toronto when the event took place), that I must take some time to record some of my thoughts and impressions before they become a part of the distant annals of my memory.
I am so grateful that I was exposed to this at my annual MYC meeting, so that I was able to share this great news with our Fedorowich MYC studio, as well as my larger musical family and colleagues. I was joined at the Ontario Science Centre by one of my students and his Mom who were both particularly inspired by this event to take the day off school to attend!
I was one of the first people to arrive as I had been advised by the Science Centre to arrive early – they have never done anything like this before, so it was very difficult to predict how many people would attend. There were already media and ‘space’ vans stationed outside of the Science Centre when I arrived.
The show started promptly at 12 noon , as an event like this demanded not one moment wasted. The MMR Drumline marching band paraded into the great hall with the lead students carrying the banner of “Music Monday” to start things off. There were opening speeches and performances by different groups across the GTA , some accompanied by Juno award winning artists. There were politicians and corporate business executives who gave speeches and awards to different schools in recognition of the annual event of Music Monday, including Long & McQuade Musical Instruments. A Canadian astronaut named Jeremy (can’t recall last name) was also a part of the event. He was introduced as an astronaut that is training to follow directly in Commander Hadfield’s footsteps.
Commander Chris Hadfield’s brother performed on stage with the Chris Hadfield Choir. They introduced his part in the festivities with a brief slideshow of a “truly Canadian guitar”. This instrument was constructed using a variety of materials acquired from all across the country, and has been played by a wide array of important Canadian public figures (musicians, politicians, legends, etc.) This was the instrument that Mr. Hadfield used when performing here on Earth.
Jeremy the astronaut was at the podium along with the president of the Canadian Coalition for Music Education (organisers of the event) to introduce Commander Chris Hadfield to us. We were informed that the International Space Station was in orbit directly above the city of Toronto in time for the broadcasting of the event. Jeremy’s speech was cut off as “Houston ” was calling in for verification to proceed. The ‘space communication procedures’ transpired before our very eyes (the only reference I would have to the experience is from the movies, and yes, it was just like the movies! : ) Commander Chris Hadfield appeared on the projector screens set up on either side of the stage, and the room erupted in applause and cheers! It is difficult to describe the feeling of being a part of that kind of connection, but I do know for a fact that everyone in the room MUST have been thinking the exact same thing: how incredible is this moment in history, that I have the extreme privilege of being a part of? That astronaut, in outer space, is communicating with us, in this very room, at this exact moment, in real time! Who knew that I would ever be a part of something so magnanimous and extraordinary?
Commander Chris Hadfield had his room set up out on the space station with his guitar and microphones floating at zero gravity (cables too!) Jeremy was the one leading the verbal correspondence from the Ontario Science Centre to the International Space station. There was a minor delay on Commander Hadfield’s end when listening to the questions from the Science Centre, which Commander Hadfield took advantage of by doing “space tricks” for us all: spinning his microphone and guitar around, holding onto a metal bar so that his body would float to a horizontal, and even completely upside down position, etc. It was very amusing!
After the introductions and opening remarks from the Science Centre to the International Space Station, Jeremy led a Q and A session with representatives from different schools across the country. Some of the questions were particularly interesting, such as: what is the difference when playing your guitar in outer space vs. here on Earth? Commander Hadfield’s answer was something to the effect of ‘it is very similar, although like trying to play an instrument that is constantly trying to get away from you, as well as the strings vibrate a lot more, so the sound different’. Another good question was: if you were to meet intelligent life from other planets/galaxies, what song would you play for them to represent humans from the planet Earth? His answer was of course the song that he co-wrote with Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies, the first song to have ever been collaborated from Earth to outer space, and the one performed soon after this question was presented, “Is Somebody Singing”?
Ed Robertson was not in attendance for the event, so instead the ‘space jam’ was performed in the following way: Commander Chris Hadfield with acoustic guitar from the International Space Station, ‘unspecified rock band outfit’ playing drums, guitar, bass, keys, Wexford Gleeks choir (original performers when the song was recorded and posted on Youtube), the Chris Hadfield choir, and the E.C. Drury School for the Deaf signing along. Beyond both the International Space Station and Ontario Science Centre, schools across the country were tuning in to the live broadcast and singing along simultaneously.
Once again it is very difficult to describe the emotional reality of being a very small part of something so incredibly massive and extraordinary as this. One of the presenters/ orators said it best when she said ‘everyone in this room over the age of 35 definitely had tears in their eyes the whole time’. What an overwhelming experience to know that you are connected with so many people, both near and far, through the unique and beautiful expression of the art of performance music! For all of this to be taking place simultaneously, successfully, and co-ordinated as beautifully as it was both here on Earth, as well as in outer space, was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I am so privileged to have been able to be a part of!
After the title song was performed, Is Somebody Singing, the thanks were exchanged between Commander Chris Hadfield and Jeremy on behalf of the Ontario Science Centre, and the connection was terminated soon after that. There were more speeches and presentations, and the event was closed with the West Humber Collegiate Steel Pan Band performance, ending with O Canada.
What an incredible afternoon, one that I know I will remember forever!
Yours completely awestruck and inspired by human potential,
Ms. Michelle
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