Lesson Plan: The Transformative Power of Music 

TED Talk by Benjamin Zander 

 
Lesson Overview​ (5 minutes) 
- Students  will  watch  a  ​TED  talk  by  a  conductor  that  discusses  the  transformative  power  of 
classical music. 
- Conductor  Benjamin  Zander  discusses  how  no  one  is  tone  deaf  and  the  importance  of 
expressing emotion through music. 
- Students  will  work  in  table  groups  to  create  a  definition  of  leadership  and  to  provide 
examples  of  leaders  that  demonstrate  some  or  all  of  the  attributes  embodied  by  the 
conductors featured in the video. 
- Wait until the video is finished ​before​ passing out the worksheet. 
- Key Questions are provided to guide your discussion and response to the video. 
 
Key Terms 
- TED  Talks​:  influential  videos  from  expert  speakers  on  education,  business,  science, 
tech, etc. 
- Tone  deafness​:  misguided  belief  that  one  is  unable  to  perceive  differences  of 
musical pitch accurately. 
 
Activity​ (21 minutes) 
Show video “The Transformative Power of Music” (Benjamin Zander TED talk). 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9LCwI5iErE 
 
Group Work​ (12 minutes) 
Students  will  work  in  their  table  groups  for  this  activity.  They  may  not  switch  groups  or  move 
chairs;  however,  if  any  groups  are  left  with  two  or  fewer  students  due  to  multiple  absences  at  a 
single  table,  you  may  allow  them  to  join  another  group.  Students  may  not  choose  their  own 
groups;  however,  if  any  groupings  prove  problematic,  you  are  welcome  to  separate  and/or  to 
regroup  them.  Groups  will  need  to  designate  the  role  of  Scribe  (writer)  to  one  student,  and  all 
should  participate  equally  in  the  discussion.  They  should  answer  the  questions  ​in  hard  copy  on 
the provided sheet​ to be submitted to you before the end of class. 
 
Key Questions 
Discuss in table groups, then record responses. 
 
1. What does it mean to listen, to understand, and to be moved? 
2. Describe an experience that you had when ​live​ music moved you. 
3. Do you believe that classical music is for everyone? Why or why not? 
4. What  is  one  observation  that  you  made  on  the  video  that  changed  your  thinking 
about classical music? 
5. What is one thing that makes your eyes “shiny”? 
 
Following  a  brief  discussion  of  the  key  questions,  each  group  should  respond  to  the  questions  ​in 
hard  copy  on  the  provided  sheet​.  In  each  case,  students  should  explain  their  reasoning. Students 
should feel open to disagree civilly with each other’s opinions and to debate others’ arguments. 
 
Closing​ (2 minutes) 
- Turn in hard copy of group responses to Key Questions with group members’ names. 
- Pack up, tidy up the tables, and push in chairs. Wait until the bell to leave. 
Student Worksheet: The Transformative Power of Music 
TED Talk by Benjamin Zander 
 
Table Color ________________ 
 
Group Members’ Names 
 
____________________________ ____________________________ 
 
____________________________ ____________________________ 
 
 
 
Key Questions 
Discuss in table groups, then record responses. Use the back of the sheet if needed. 
 
 
 
1. What does it mean to listen, to understand, and to be moved? 
 
 
 
 
 
2. Describe an experience that you had when ​live​ music moved you. 
 
 
 
 
 
3. Do you believe that classical music is for everyone? Why or why not? 
 
 
 
 
 
4. What  is  one  observation  that  you  made  on  the  video  that  changed  your  thinking  about 
classical music? 
 
 
 
 
 
5. What is one thing that makes your eyes “shiny”?