This theme issue of "The Goldfinch" focuses on music as an art using sound in time to express ideas and emotions and contains articles featuring appreciations of some of Iowa's renowned musical artists. The first article gives an overview of music in Iowa's history. The next article describes Antonin Dvorak's summer sojourn in Spillville where he played for the town's residents and was inspired to compose several works. Other articles consider the jazz musician Bix Beiderbecke; the lives and works of several female composers and singers; Meredith Wilson, the composer of the Broadway hit, "The Music Man"; Simon Estes, an opera singer; Margherita Roberti, an opera singer; and Buddy Holly, of rock and roll fame. (BT)