‘Hominin’ Book Launch (Neil R McAdam) & ‘Interstellar 10’ (Roger Sayer)

This weekend I was lucky enough to take Dearest Son to a couple of events:

1. The launch of Neil R McAdam’s first book ‘Hominin’
2. An evening of organ music, including music from the film ‘Interstellar’ with Roger Sayer aka The Interstellar Organist

It was our first book launch event we’d ever been to and I was keen to take DS (that’s Dearest Son) as I want him to experience new things, even if they make him feel a little uncomfortable. To be honest, I felt a little uncomfortable. I felt like I didn’t belong but I stayed anyway and I even enjoyed myself! Despite feeling out of place, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Neil R McAdam discuss his writing process, his thoughts and readings from his new book ‘Hominin’.

It was presented as a Q & A type of affair, with 3 readings from his novel. I could tell DS was enjoying hearing about the story so when we came out of the small but packed room, I asked him what he thought. A big smile spread across his face as he told me ‘that was amazing’!

He even went off to find out the price of the book but came back with a sad look as he said ‘£10.99’. He knows our budget is restricted to say the least. However, when I said, ‘Would you like it’? His wee face lit up and I took him over to purchase a copy. Then I was able to encourage him to join the queue to get it signed by the author! You can leap over to the author’s website here.

I swear that boy walked out of the building a foot taller than he had when he walked in.

So riding on that high wave of new experiences and being around intelligent people, we agreed to go to the Interstellar music event.

Now I have to confess, I haven’t seen the film – I skimmed through it and got the gist (enough to know I’m not emotionally able to watch it). The music however, did not offer such a barrier. In fact, I was quite determined to go and experience real organ music, in a church, for myself!

We arrived in good time to find 2 queues either side of the large church which looked a little odd but we joined the one nearest to us. After about 15 minutes, the doors opened and we all gently poured in. It was meant to start at 7.30pm but I gathered they’d had a power cut at some point so a late start it was – not that anybody really seemed to mind.

We were introduced to Roger Sayer – a world renowned organist, amongst other things and from what I could tell, a lovely man! He was, in fact, the organist on the soundtrack of the movie ‘Interstellar’ and to my shame, I’d never heard of him. I’m happy I am now aware of his existence!

The evening started with a short piece, followed by some by Holst: I. Mars, the Bringer of War, II. Venus, the Bringer of Peace, IV. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity. I was most taken by Venus.

We then got to see a video which starred Roger Sayer, Hans Zimmer & others, talking about the music for the soundtrack as we got some behind the scenes about how it was done and how technical it is to play the organ. Believe me – it looks extremely technical.

There was a lovely Q & A session, with questions taken from the audience too and after a short interval we got to hear the music from the movie. The lights were dimmed and replaced with hues of blues and reds – rolling along the walls up to the church roof – as the screens around the church were showing planets, stars and from time to time, Mr Sayer on the organ.

I watched people sit with their head bobbing gently, some had their eyes closed, some had their heads bowed down as if in remembrance. Most were looking at the screen or trying to get a glimpse of Roger’s head as he sat behind the organ.

As for me – I was transported. There were many words which ran through my head. I was aware of being in a room with many other people but I felt, at times, as if I was in a bubble all of my own. Watching the planets as I listened to a master organist, I became aware of my own insignificance and extreme significance, all at the same time. To feel so small and vulnerable and yet a part of something so large and important.

Connection. I think.

At that time, all of us, as individuals were completely connected while remaining absolutely separate in our own minds.

To say it was an emotional experience wouldn’t do it justice and I’m not ashamed to admit I shed a tear or two at the end. It really is one of those times when words don’t do it justice. It needs to be experienced. You can find Roger Sayer’s website here.

There is a word which I am unable to locate in my brain – when something is so small and feels insignificant but is immensely important – does that make sense? What word would you put to that?

After a successful weekend like this, I’m keen to keep looking for events which I can take DS to as I want him to experience things for real, not through a screen. To meet people of all ages, from all walks of life, to push our comfort zones and be in places whether we feel like we belong or not.

Have you ever been to an event which did this for you – made your head explode with thoughts and emotions – in a good way? I’d love to hear about it!