Biography.
INSPIRED BY DIFFERENCE.
Boris Brott was an internationally recognized Canadian conductor. He held major posts as music director in Canada.
He also enjoyed an international career as guest conductor, educator, cultural ambassador and motivational speaker. His other positions included:
- Conductor and Music Director of the McGill Chamber Orchestra in Montreal, Canada.
- The National Academy Orchestra of Canada.
- Principal Youth and Family Conductor of the National Arts Center of Canada.
- Artistic Director of the Brott Musical Festivals, Ontario’s principal classical orchestra music festival.
Internationally…
Boris has served as Assistant Conductor to the New York Philharmonic under the late Leonard Bernstein. Other positions include:
- Music Director and Conductor for the Royal Ballet, Covent Garden.
- Chief Conductor of the BBC National Symphony of Wales.
- Music Director of the Northern Sinfonia of England.
His extensive guest-conducting appearances have been around the world. In 2000, he conducted Leonard Bernstein’s “The Mass” for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican.
In 1988, Boris was awarded the Officer of the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest civic honor. That same year, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law at McMaster University. Two years later, he was made a Knight of Malta.
- In 1992, he was selected International Man of the Year by the International Biographical Center in Cambridge, England.
- In 1996, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts of Great Britain. In 2006, he was appointed to the Order of Ontario.
In addition to his conducting career, Boris was a motivational speaker, presenting more than 35 talks annually around the world for Fortune 500 companies.
Besides numerous film and radio commitments, Boris has conducted, produced and hosted over 100 television programs on both sides of the Atlantic. He has recorded for CBC, Septre-Mace, Mercury, Pro-Arte Records and Sony Classical where CDs with the late Glenn Gould have been released.
Boris lived in Hamilton, Ontario, with his wife, Ardyth, an author and lawyer. The Brotts have three children and two dogs.
Services.
BY BORIS BROTT.
“Mastfully engaging, motivating and rewarding to watch. A highly skilled stageman with boiling over charisma.”
01. PLAYING TOGETHER WITH BORIS BROTT.
Boris Brott’s presentations are customized:
- Each presentation draws comparisons between business organizations and symphony orchestras — both have common goals.
- Both orchestras and business organizations strive to achieve the same goals, and both aim for perfection.
- Both seek innovation and creativity.
- Boris draws a juxtaposition of teamwork and leadership; the need for creativity within an organization; the joy of communication and the achievement of success. All are explored through the medium of music.
During his presentation, these analogies are enhanced with graphics, hi-res video and audio tracks. The audience hears of Beethoven’s struggles, his quest for perfection … hears brief passages from some of Beethoven’s best known works.
Then, to conclude his presentation, it’s time to play together…
- Boris instructs the audience to reach under their chairs where they will find a tone bar — a xylophone-like musical instrument with a mallet.
- The audience has been divided into five sections, each section a note.
- After “rehearsing” and enjoying the levity and excitement, the audience is prepared to play Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” under Boris’s direction.
- He turns to the video screen, gives a signal, and a full symphony orchestra begins to play the well-known composition.
- At the appropriate point, he turns to the audience and “conducts” them in this informative, educational, and fun-filled presentation.
Audiences are thrilled to be playing a significant part in an historic piece of musical history, and to make music under the direction of a symphony conductor. Audiences and corporate executives find it a memorable and unique presentation.
02. VARIATIONS OF PLAYING TOGETHER.
- A live orchestra joins Boris on stage. Musicians and their instruments are introduced until an 11-piece orchestra is formed.
- The meeting’s host joins Boris in conducting the audience and/or explaining the similarities between their organization and a symphony orchestra.
- The presentation’s length is suited to the client’s program requirements.
- Boris can act as host throughout the meeting.
03. COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Click here to view common questions and answers about Boris’s services.
A Tone Bar is a musical instrument that resembles a small xylophone. It’s shipped in a box along with a mallet. The Tone Bars are distributed throughout the audience prior to the presentation. To distribute the Tone Bars—there are five notes—the audience needs to be divided into five sections, each section being a note. To facilitate this delineation, clients send a Plan View of the room where the presentation will take place. Boris will then mark it up and send it back to the client.Reviews.
RAVE REVIEWS FROM OUR CLIENTS.
Boris’s passion for motivational speaking is infectious. Here are some client reviews from recent events.
“”The analogy you shared of an orchestra playing together to create beautiful music aligned perfectly with United Way’s work to achieve the vision of a poverty-free community.”
Nancy Critchley, Director, Communications
Nancy Burns, Coordinator, Communications
United Way, Alberta Capital Region
“You imparted useful information that our associates are able to digest and apply to their work at Capital One. More importantly, you left my team feeling energized and renewed.”
Ryan Schneider
Executive Vice President
Capital One
“Your combination of intellect, energy, and musical expertise yielded a powerful example of teamwork in action for our leaders.”
Bonnie C. Hathcock
Senior Vice President
Humana
“No one has ever captured our sales and marketing team as you did. In watching the audience duringyour performance, I knew that they were totally immersed.”
Kristen Kinser
Trade Show and Special Event Manager
Amadeus Global Travel Distribution LLC
“We were all amazed how six hundred of us could so quickly work as a team and release our potential on the musical front!”
Clive Brownlee
Assistant Managing Director
GUINESSUVD
“Every conference needs to have the balance and intent of entertainment, fun and laughter. Thank you so very much for providing all, and in good measure!”
Barbara J.W. Dawson
Vice President, Corporate Affairs
Shoppers Drug Mart