Music has an important place in the lives of many people as shown through this compilation of descriptive statements on music. One hundred and three people responded to a request from music educators to share their thoughts about how music has influenced their lives. Comments of leaders in entertainment, government, and business are contained in the first section. The second section contains famous and provocative quotations from past and present personalities ranging from Plato to cartoonist Charles M. Schultz. Many of the people spoke of the importance of a music education. As Plato said, "I would teach the children music, physics, and philosophy, but the most important is music, for in the pattern of the arts are the key to all learning." (SM)