In the third and final Ted Talk we heard in class, we listened to Guy Raz talk music with Benjamin Zander, an English, world-class music conductor. Zander happens to be the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic and the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. He is someone that prides himself in his livelihood and owes everything to music and the effect it has on people all over the world. Zander considers music a “transformational experience”. What he means by this is that it has the absolute power to change anyone from within, and even the whole world for that matter.

Zander is someone that truly appreciates music for what it is, an art form. He understands the power it has on people of all ages and what it does for the mind and the body. “Music is a much more precise language than words….Music speaks directly to the heart. It speaks through the molecules. And it’s irresistible.”

The music that was played during the Ted Talk reminded me of the score from Disney Pixar’s Up. This is one of those films where the music carries you throughout the movie and really brings the power. Every single time I watch Up I cry.  And sure, the plot is pretty sad as Ellie passes away within the first 5 minutes leaving Carl widowed, but without the music it wouldn’t nearly be as sad.

Whether it be through film, the marching band, watching a sad Pixar movie or enjoying fine classical music in Boston, music holds a strong presence in this world, something we can all cherish.