Music as defined by its legal definition in the dictionary is the art of arranging sounds in time as to produce a continuous, unified, and evocative composition, as through melody, harmony, rhythm, and timbre, however, music is much more than this. Music is the aforementioned as well as the universal language that is understood by all persons no matter their race, color, creed, or gender. Music is also a form of self-expression that has been used by all musicians known to mankind, past, present, and future. Whether music is only a language or just a means of self-expression is let for one to decide for themselves, however, one thing is for sure, music is perhaps the only true way that a musician can express him or herself. Through their music, the musician also has a profound and often revolutionary affect on society that may at first seem outrages but in the end, will be highly accepted. Mozart and Madonna are primary examples of such musicians that have lived in our society and revolutionized it. From giving a whole new meaning to the word "opera" to redefining what a woman's role in society is are all examples of such great endeavors that have been accomplished by these revolutionizing artists. In "A Wagner Matinee," written by Willa Cather, an elderly woman reminisces about her past as a great musician in her town. Although not reaching the heights of fame, she (Georgiana) recalls the times when she would cheerfully play her piano during her younger days when she was taken to a symphony by her nephew whom she served as a role model for. Mr. Holland's Opus directed by Stephen Herek portrays a man's passion for music. Mr. Holland originally wants to become a famous composer but has a change of mind when he finds his new hidden passion that even he wasn't aware of. Whether fictional or not, all these persons share one thing in common, the bond that that they have established between themselves and their music is like no other, and is a bond that could never be broken.
