Students at A.R. Kaufman Public School in Kitchener joined one million of their peers Monday in taking part in a once-in-a-lifetime singalong.
The singalong was part of Music Monday, a countrywide celebration of music, but was led by somebody far beyond Canada’s borders – International Space Station commander Chris Hadfield.
Sung was I.S.S., or ‘Is Somebody Singing’, a song co-written by Hadfield and Barenaked Ladies frontman Ed Robertson to serve as Music Monday’s theme song.
For many students, the song caused them to reflect on the technological marvels that made the singalong possible.
“The fact that he’s performing it live from the space station is amazing,” said student Blake Hartlen.
A.R. Kaufman was one of hundreds of Canadian schools tuning into a live webstream to connect with Hadfield for Music Monday.
“We’ve looked forward to this for about two months now, and we’ve been preparing to sing this song … and today it was worth it,” said music teacher Nadia Mushani.
Before beginning the singalong, Hadfield reflected on the importance of music.
“Music opens doors and music stimulates the brain … It’s a wonderful, applicable skill that only makes you a more capable human,” he said.
The song, which was translated into 12 different languages, was Hadfield’s last live broadcast from space.
Hadfield’s time in command of the space station will come to an end when he returns to Earth on May 13.
Music Monday events involving Hadfield were held across Canada, including at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto and at Chris Hadfield Public School in Milton.
With files from The Canadian Press
