Benjamin Zander was the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra for over seventeen years, and of Boston’s Youth Philharmonic Orchestra for nearly a quarter of a century. He is known throughout the United States as one of the most inspiring teachers and trainers of young musicians, as well as a... Read more
Benjamin Zander was the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra for over seventeen years, and of Boston’s Youth Philharmonic Orchestra for nearly a quarter of a century.
He is known throughout the United States as one of the most inspiring teachers and trainers of young musicians, as well as a musician at the cutting edge of interpretation of music of the nineteenth and early twentieth century.
He was a member of the National Youth Orchestra and later studied cello in Florence and at the State Conservatoire in Cologne. After graduating from London University he went on a Harkness Fellowship to the States were he has lived ever since, teaching at the New England Conservatory.
Zander reveals the distinctions of leadership, teamwork, creativity and coaching gained in a life-time of conducting. The orchestra has often been used as a fertile model to illustrate the dynamics of the corporate world. Now, as the traditional male styles of “conducting”, such as insistence on hierarchy, control and right thinking, are giving way to new ways of transferring authority to the players, different skills are required for effective leadership.
The art of listening and ensemble playing and the ability to provide coaching to remove the hidden barriers to individual self-expression will become increasingly crucial. In an era where interdependence is recognised to be vital as winning out over the competition, the central question for the leader becomes how to train institutions to act as great symphony orchestras. In demonstrating how a performance of a piece of music can be transformed from the ordinary to the extraordinary by questioning assumptions, a model may emerge in which leaders can design institutions that authentically respond to the challenges of the new day.
Using the orchestra as metaphor he speaks on a range of themes: – The Interpretation of Music: Understanding the possibilities of your company – The role of the conductor: True executive leadership – Coaching the individual players: Getting the best results from an employee – Conducting the symphony: Enabling teamwork – Enrolling the audience: Marketing your product or service, and – Creating a great artistic experience: The gap between ordinary and the extraordinary performance.
“Thank you for generating the most wonderful atmosphere at our conference. The participants each felt that they emerged from the experience you created as enhanced and fulfilled people. This transformation occurred because of your extraordinary ability to reach into the individual and show where his or her real potential lies – all this with ‘just’ words, music and movement
Partner, Coopers & Lybrand
“You leading our team into the adventure of exploring ourselves, killing our fears, understanding better our strengths and unlocking possibilities within ourselves, has really been an incredible journey transformed into beautiful music we all played in harmony. Thank you for opening this inspiring chapter of possibilities for us.”
Coca-Cola Hellenic
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You can book Benjamin Zander through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Benjamin's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Benjamin Zander's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Benjamin tailored to your event.
Benjamin Zander speaks on Business & Management, Innovation & Creativity, Learning, Motivation, Music & Art. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Benjamin to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Benjamin Zander for events worldwide, subject to Benjamin's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Benjamin Zander is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Benjamin can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Benjamin Zander on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Benjamin can offer.
Benjamin Zander delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Benjamin Zander's areas of expertise include Business & Management, Innovation & Creativity, Learning, Motivation, Music & Art. To get a clear sense of Benjamin's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Benjamin Zander can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Business & Management, Innovation & Creativity, Learning, Motivation, Music & Art is relevant. Details of Benjamin's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Benjamin Zander is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Benjamin Zander, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Benjamin's current availability for your dates.