Benjamin Zander: The transformative power of classical music

Vocabulary
Engaged

a.

to push someone or something hard so that

they fall / move from the position that they are in.

Impulse

b.

unable to sing a tune correctly because you

cannot hear the difference between musical notes.

Take off

c.

a force producing sudden motion

Push-over

d.

to reach a point where you eventually realize,

understand or believe something

Tone-deaf

e.

to embark on rapid activity, development, or

growth

Come to do something

f.

pass through someones thoughts easily

Waft into someones head

g.

greatly interested

Drift-off

h.

a desire for sexual involvement with the parent

of the opposite sex and a concomitant sense of
rivalry with the parent of the same sex

Oedipus complex

i.

to get someones attention, to remind someone of

something, to prompt them.

To dig someone in the ribs

j.

to gradually start to sleep

Comprehension
1. What is the purpose of presenting what a 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-year old sounds like when he plays
the piano?
2. What is the difference between a "two-buttock" and a "one-buttock" manager?
3. Zander says: Im not gonna go on until every single person in this room will come to
love and understand classical music. What leadership characteristic is reflected in this
statement? Which other leader does he mentions to prove his point?
4. What does the word vision mean to Zander? What example does Zander use to
illustrate this meaning?
5. Four different types of people were described with regard to their attitude towards
classical music, what are these types?
6. According to Zander, what is the job of the B?
7. What is the story of the two shoe salesmen in Africa? What does it mean?
8. Generally, at what age do children stop taking music lessons?
9. What are the characteristics of a great conductor?.

10. According to Zander, what is the definition of success?

11. According to Zander, is it always possible to say the right words? What is the example
that he uses to discuss the issue?
Discussion Questions

What is a leader?
Who are the first leaders who come to your mind?
What makes those people great leaders?
What are the qualities or characteristics that every leader should have?
Are some people natural leaders and other people natural followers? Why?
What are some of the biggest challenges of leading a country like Korea?
Would you like to be a leader in Korea? Why or why not?
Why do some people think it's a bad thing to always follow other people?
What characteristics does a bad leader have?
If you were the leader of your school, what changes would you make?