Music is a means of unifying and a means of distinguishing; a means of establishing and a means of revolting; a means of being intensely present and a means of escape. This book, with its several stories of the musical occasion in extreme diversity of place and time, aims at implicating a wide variety of readers in the consideration of truly social issues. All members of society are engaged in the musical phenomena in some way; many who are not professional musicians or academicians will be glad of an opportunity to consider such experiences more consciously.