Robert DeGaetano's tribute to the 1986 Challenger tragedy
For one week beginning October 4th, the world community will celebrate World Space Week. Classroom teachers are encouraged to show and tell about space exploration to inspire students to join the future space workforce.
However, there are risks to those brave enough to step out among the stars. In 1986, seven astronauts climbed aboard the Challenger on a journey that ended 73 seconds later. One of those on board was a young teacher, Christa McAuliffe. Her legacy is multifaceted. One program, The Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference, held every year in Nashua, New Hampshire, is a forum to promote and discuss education technology, which compliments the efforts of World Space Week.
On that tragic day, January 28, 1986, the talented concert pianist, Robert DeGaetano was watching TV with a friend as the Challenger blasted into space from Cape Kennedy. Seventy three seconds later it disintegrated due to a faulty O-ring seal. As a young boy growing up in New York City, Robert had two ambitions: to become an astronaut or a concert pianist. His decision to pursue a career in the arts has never dimed his respect for the men and women who dedicate themselves to exploring the mysteries that lie beyond earth.
When he saw the Challenger explode, he turned to his friend, Jean Brown, and said, “I really would like to write a tribute to these seven men and women because to me astronauts were always the cream of the crop in terms of our society and how they represent humanity.” The following New Years’ eve Robert began his composition, focusing first on Mission Specialist, Ellison Onizuka.
His musical composition to Christa McAuliffe, the first schoolteacher to participate in a space mission, has always been one of his favorites. To create his masterpiece he felt that “all of the energy from these people came through me musically.” The section dedicated to Christa has a distinctive Irish flavor which identifies her Irish ancestry.
When Alice Tully heard Robert’s composition, Challenger, she immediately commissioned the work. The family and friends of the seven astronauts were invited to the Alice Tully Recital Hall at Lincoln Center to listen to Robert’s presentation. Following the recital, Robert continued to perform his tribute before audiences in throughout the world. One of his favorite moments was his presentation to Ellison Onizuka’s family on Hawaii’s Big Island.
Robert used his talents to praise those who died in the disaster. But, his music had a higher purpose. To inspire the next generation to pick up where Christa and her companions left off and expand our understanding of the universe. “Exploring the universe”, the theme of World Space Week, voices the combined efforts of the US space program, Robert’s music and Challenger’s legacy.
In Ronald Reagan’s address to the world on the evening of the tragedy, he ended his tribute with a quote from John Gillespie Magee, jr.’s beautiful poem, High Flight:
“ We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and ‘slipped the surly bonds of Earth to touch the face of God’.”
Sidebar: to view the interview and hear an excerpt of Robert DeGaetano’s composition to Christa McAuliffe follow the following link to YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/anniecoburn
However, there are risks to those brave enough to step out among the stars. In 1986, seven astronauts climbed aboard the Challenger on a journey that ended 73 seconds later. One of those on board was a young teacher, Christa McAuliffe. Her legacy is multifaceted. One program, The Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference, held every year in Nashua, New Hampshire, is a forum to promote and discuss education technology, which compliments the efforts of World Space Week.
On that tragic day, January 28, 1986, the talented concert pianist, Robert DeGaetano was watching TV with a friend as the Challenger blasted into space from Cape Kennedy. Seventy three seconds later it disintegrated due to a faulty O-ring seal. As a young boy growing up in New York City, Robert had two ambitions: to become an astronaut or a concert pianist. His decision to pursue a career in the arts has never dimed his respect for the men and women who dedicate themselves to exploring the mysteries that lie beyond earth.
When he saw the Challenger explode, he turned to his friend, Jean Brown, and said, “I really would like to write a tribute to these seven men and women because to me astronauts were always the cream of the crop in terms of our society and how they represent humanity.” The following New Years’ eve Robert began his composition, focusing first on Mission Specialist, Ellison Onizuka.
His musical composition to Christa McAuliffe, the first schoolteacher to participate in a space mission, has always been one of his favorites. To create his masterpiece he felt that “all of the energy from these people came through me musically.” The section dedicated to Christa has a distinctive Irish flavor which identifies her Irish ancestry.
When Alice Tully heard Robert’s composition, Challenger, she immediately commissioned the work. The family and friends of the seven astronauts were invited to the Alice Tully Recital Hall at Lincoln Center to listen to Robert’s presentation. Following the recital, Robert continued to perform his tribute before audiences in throughout the world. One of his favorite moments was his presentation to Ellison Onizuka’s family on Hawaii’s Big Island.
Robert used his talents to praise those who died in the disaster. But, his music had a higher purpose. To inspire the next generation to pick up where Christa and her companions left off and expand our understanding of the universe. “Exploring the universe”, the theme of World Space Week, voices the combined efforts of the US space program, Robert’s music and Challenger’s legacy.
In Ronald Reagan’s address to the world on the evening of the tragedy, he ended his tribute with a quote from John Gillespie Magee, jr.’s beautiful poem, High Flight:
“ We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and ‘slipped the surly bonds of Earth to touch the face of God’.”
Sidebar: to view the interview and hear an excerpt of Robert DeGaetano’s composition to Christa McAuliffe follow the following link to YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/anniecoburn
