BLC09 opening Keynote by Benjamin Zander, Conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra

This week I'm at a technology conference in Boston (BLC09). This is my first technology conference, so I thought I would finally join the blogging world. I'd like to record here my thoughts and ideas as I go through the workshops this week. We're singing "Happy Birthday" to a woman named Shannon under the direction of Benjamin Zander, Conductor of the Boston Philharmonic. He's too funny! http://novemberlearning.com/blc/main-sessions/benjamin-zander/ Here are some thoughts:

• We have three responses for everything in our lives - 1) resignation 2) anger 3) possibility
• How do you get "out of the box" thinking? Ask two questions: 1) What assumptions am I making that are giving me what I see? 2)What can I invent to change what I see?
• "In any organization, people need to speak openly about what assumptions are being made. There needs to be at least one person willing and able to do this.
• Beethoven's 5th symphony - FAST - it was an attack on complacency...I could use this to introduce to students at the beginning of the school year. AP, my class, can be an attack on complacency because the students are going to have to challenge themselves. They didn't choose honors or CP...they are choosing not to be complacent.
• Beethoven's 7th symphony - skipping, children, happiness, carefree - "My job is to remind the players what the rhythm of transformation is - lighter, faster, more buoyant."
• What kind of world do we want, and what kind of person do I need to be in that world?
• When a student "performs" two people are actually performing...the student and the student's doubts in his/her head. Students are so anxious about the pecking order, the competition. They can not become great and achieve their potential with these doubts taking over.
• have students write a letter dated May of the next year..."Dear Ms. Tallada, I got my A because..." They have to fall in love with themselves and discuss the potential of what they could be.
• "I only take A students" We can give an A to anyone...imagine how our relationship changes if we "give" them an A.
• It's only when we give an A that we can be honest with them. We give them a "name" as a potential to live in to, not live up to.
• You can not learn anything without making a mistake...when you make a mistake say "How fascinating!"
• We can imagine things on a small scale or on a grand scale. It is the grand scale that can change the world.
• The secret of life - "It's all invented."
• "one buttock playing" - stop thinking about each individual note and start thinking about the long line - the finish. THE VISION
• "there is no where to go from an 'A' but down" - education is filled with downward spirals.
• "If the eyes are shiny" then you're doing well - "if their eyes are not shiny, then you have to ask yourself what you aren't doing to make your players' eyes shiny"
• Let students have a blank piece of paper...they can write on it...what can I do to help you play better?
• Rule #6 - "Don't take yourself so god damn seriously." In other words, get over yourself!
• "There's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing...A person can't live a full life under the shadow of bitterness." - Zander's father who never complained once (Holocaust survivor, blind for last 12 years, etc.)
• "We never know where the treasure is buried...all we can do is stand in possibility. You never know."
• Boston Philharmonic's Vision - "Passionate Music Making Without Boundaries"
• "Everyone loves classical music, they just haven't found out about it yet." So maybe everyone loves reading and writing - they just haven't found out about it yet :-)
• "If the eyes aren't shining, shift the goal posts."
• Eyes don't shine when you say, "you must, you have to, etc." Instead, try saying "what if."
• "Remember to apologize...If people don't do what you want them to do, apologize for not enrolling them." Don't use blame and criticism.
• Comes down to three things: 1) it's all invented 2) standing in possibility 3) Rule #6
• The new leader is the person who recognizes the downward spiral and can get people over to the side of possibility.
• "It's a game we're playing...what did I contribute today?" This is not about a person, it's about a power...possibility. Every conversation should be about the possibilities.
• "It makes a difference what we say." Remember the words you use, what you say; it may be the last thing you ever say to that person. It is a possibility to live into. "Possibility is always only one sentence away...the downward spiral lives in our language...lives in our speaking."
• BTFI -"Beyond The F*** It" Play the 2nd way (I know you won't understand that, but the 2nd way is the way without doubts, with passion, all heart - when you don't care anymore, when you go beyond the doubts, the fears, when you take a chance)
• from one of his stories...one of you could be the next messiah...but who? Every one started to treat one another with great respect for they might be the one...they treated themselves with great respect, for they might be the one. And peace permeated.