The Boy Who Said WOW

By Gavin Oates

In a world often obsessed with rules, sophistication and perfection, sometimes it’s the simplest moments that resonate the most. And I love it when something so magically human happens that it cuts through the nonsense of the very rules, sophistication and perfection we are taught to buy into.

There aren’t many worlds more layered with rules, sophistication and perfection than the world of classical music. Let me tell you the true story of an unforgettable evening at Boston’s Symphony Hall in 2019, where a single word - just three letters - reminded everyone of these raw human moments.

Now, I wasn’t there, but when I watched the YouTube video, the hairs on the back of my neck stood. My first thought was ‘Yes! This is going in the new book, but I can’t wait that long so it’s going in MADE Magazine first.’

I don’t claim to be an expert when it comes to classical music, but my understanding is this was a typical night for the Handel and Haydn Society, known for their exquisite performances of classical masterpieces. The audience, a mix of seasoned music lovers and curious newcomers, settled into their seats, ready to be enveloped by the sound of Mozart’s Masonic Funeral Music. The orchestra played with precision, the notes carrying a sombre beauty that held the entire hall in silent reverence.

And then, just as the final note faded into silence, something extraordinary happened. From somewhere in the audience, a young voice broke through the quiet with a single word: “Wow.”

And it’s a proper good ‘Wow’ too. A heartfelt, wonderous ‘WOOOOOOOW’. 

The voice belonged to 9-year-old Ronan Mattin, a boy who is largely non-verbal and has autism. Ronan was attending the concert with his grandfather, Stephen, who immediately felt a twinge of concern. Had Ronan’s innocent outburst disrupted the performance? What would the audience think?

But instead of discomfort or irritation that one might (wrongly) expect, Ronan’s ‘WOOOOOOOW’ was met with smiles, nods, and even a few tears. The musicians on stage paused, touched by the pure, spontaneous reaction. David Snead, the president of the Handel and Haydn Society, was moved by the moment, recognising it as something truly special.

Ronan’s “wow” wasn’t just a reaction, it was an expression of something deeper; pure wonder. In that moment, he captured the essence of what music is meant to do. 

In fact, scrap that, Ronan reminds us of what life is meant to do: move us, inspire us, and remind us of the beauty in the world. It wasn’t rehearsed or polished, it was raw and real. It was the kind of moment that doesn’t just happen, it emerges from a place of genuine connection. 

The wee guy felt it.

And that’s the magic of moments. Glimmer moments. They remind us to pause, to feel, and to appreciate the magic around us. Whether it’s a piece of music, a breathtaking view, or a simple act of kindness, these moments have the power to cut through the noise of everyday life and bring us back to what truly matters. It’s not about perfection or protocol, it’s about connection, emotion, and those rare instances when something truly moves us.

We don’t need to be experts to appreciate the beauty of life, sometimes, all it takes is a little bit of wonder and a willingness to be moved.

A glimmer is essentially the opposite of a trigger. Whether it’s the sound of a siren, seeing an old photo, or smelling a particular food, our minds can quickly associate these cues with either negative or positive emotions. Triggers are cues that signal to our brain that we are in danger, whereas glimmers are cues that signal safety, granting us permission to let go.

According to Dr. Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, the nervous system plays a pivotal role in shaping our individual emotional and behavioural responses to our surroundings. Central to this regulation is something known as the Vagus Nerve, which modulates our heart rate. 

Just as the body combats illness, the nervous system possesses the capability to ward off negative emotions by activating the Ventral Vagus. A glimmer is effectively a brief moment of engagement with the Ventral Vagus, highlighting the body’s innate capacity for emotional regulation.

As humans we are incredible. Without even knowing it, we’re like the conductor of our own emotional orchestra, conducting a symphony of feelings! 

According to The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy by Deb Dana, in our overstimulated world, these lovely, warming, contented moments are not just pleasant and comforting, but they may actually be the answer to regulating our overwhelmed nervous systems. Get it right and we’re no longer in the school band, we’re in the Handel and Haydn Society!

There are people we meet in life that make everything seem magical. Whether you meet them in real life, or in books, or online…cherish them.

To Ronin Mattin, big thanks for the reminder little man. 

Gavin Oattes is an international keynote speaker and bestselling author.
Find out more at www.gavinoattes.com. His books are available in all good bookstores and on Amazon via
www.amazon.co.uk