Nir Brand

Nir Brand
Brand performing at the US embassy in Israel
Born Nir Chaim Brandt
(1961-06-06) 6 June 1961
Beersheba, Israel
Occupation Classical conductor, educator, media personality
Known for ClassiKid, Israeclassi, Music without Borders
Spouse(s) Ilana Brand (1987–present)
Website www.nirbrand.com

Nir Brand (born June 6, 1961) is an Israeli conductor, a humanitarian and a musical performer.

Early life

Brand studied piano and double bass while growing up in Beer Sheva. His first big break came at the age of 17 when Chick Corea invited him to join Chick on stage at the Jerusalem International Convention Center at the piano. Brand wowed the audience, critics and Mr. Corea himself. During his army service, Brand performed with the famous Army Entertainment Group working with top Israeli musicians such as Rita and Rami Kleinstein, Hanokh Rosen and others. After leaving the army, Brand studied conducting and composition at the Rubin Academy of Music in Tel Aviv University.

As a conductor

Brand

In 2000, Brand was picked out by Professor Mendi Rodan to become his personal student, supporting Brand in becoming an educational conductor. Brand has since conducted countless orchestras in front of tens of thousands of children and families, moving forward in his life's mission of bringing the joy of classical music into their lives, making it approachable in his unique and amusing style. Among the orchestras he has worked with are The Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion, The Haifa Symphony Orchestra, The Israel Camerata Jerusalem, The Israel Sinfonietta Beer Sheva, The Raanana Symphonette Orchestra, The Israel Chamber Orchestra, The Israel Netanya Kibbutz Orchestra, The IDF Chamber Orchestra, The Nairobi Orchestra, Kenya National Youth Orchestra and the Safaricom Youth Orchestra Kenya.

Solo shows

A chance meeting at a restaurant with Yuval Dor, member of the band Hakol Over Habibi and a unique solo artist himself, led to building Brand's own one man show, Life Is a Concert, which he has presented to a wide range of audiences and has performed over 2,000 times up to date. In 2001, Brand made his American debut performance of Life Is a Concert in New York City and Washington, D.C. In 2008, Brand created his second one-man show, Israel My Love, and in 2015, he created My Days in Africa, which he has been performing globally in order to raise funds to support his humanitarian tours in Africa.

Brand after his show about Cameroon

ClassiKid

In 2001, Brand faced a great number of people, suggesting that he creates a similar programme for children. This gave birth to ClassiKid, which is now a government-funded program for Israeli schoolchildren, to teach them life skills such as tolerance, listening to one another, being polite, studying and encouraging teamwork. Throughout the programme children are given a guided tour of the history of music with a variety of different classical musical styles and pieces being utilised within the classes to emphasise the lessons being imparted by the musician.

Each year of the programme is based on seven separate events, adapted specifically for the different age groups. Over 100,000 students have joined the programme so far, and the numbers are growing steadily. Cities in which the program is taught, include Sderot, Ashkelon, Migdal Haemek and Kiryat Shmona, all located in conflict zones. The programme supports the children in order to better deal with anxieties and stressful situations that are a part of their daily lives.

Israclassi

In 2008, Brand began his radio show, 'Israclassi', which ran for 8 years and consisted of 400 episodes. It featured guests the likes of Michel Legrand, Ian Anderson, The Manhattan Transfer, Valerie Gergiev and Chick Corea, among other international and Israeli stars. 'Israclassi' won him the prestigious 2012 Galatz Award, given out by Israel’s most popular radio station.

Music without Borders

Ilana Brand speaking about Africa

Following a tropical cyclone that devastated Myanmar in 2009, Maestro Brand performed for the orphaned children there. This was followed by Brand's decision to set up a non-profit organization named "Music without Borders" (MWB). Focusing on concerts mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, the organization aims to engender happiness and raise children's ambitions. MWB is financed by donations gathered in benefit concerts all throughout Europe. Maestro Brand donates his performances both in Africa and in Europe, and his wife, Ilana Brand, a well-known motivational consultant, acts as a volunteering CEO of the organization. All planning and production processes are also performed free of charge by volunteers.

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