It was the turn of the 20th century and much of the world had only been explored to a superficial extent. In 1910, deep in the jungle-rivers of South America, paddled a small European survey expedition of Great Britain’s Royal Geographical Society. The party was led by Colonel Percival Fawcett, a man who found the trappings of Victorian society deplorable. By this time, Fawcett had spent years exploring South America. Working on the pretense of geographical expedition, Fawcett spent his time in the jungle searching for mythical lost cities and native gold.

It was Fawcett’s lot in life that his expeditions would encounter hostile elements, both natural and human, frequently. On this occasion, Fawcett’s party rounded a bend in the river and was startled to find a native village. The natives, who at first mirrored Fawcett’s astonishment, soon took up arms and released volley after volley of arrows at the small flotilla. Fawcett, accustomed to thinking on his feet, attempted a dialogue with the natives in their own language. His attempt was met with only more projectiles. Reluctant to return fire, the desperate colonel ordered one of his men to produce his accordion and play as if he were “passing a jolly hour in an English pub.” The soldier promptly followed orders. Fawcett then urged the rest of the party to sing as if their lives depended upon it.

The point of my discourse is to emphasize the importance of music as a worldwide cultural phenomenon. Here were two completely different groups of people whose lives and circumstances dictated that they must be enemies. Yet, through music, Fawcett realized that he had a chance for peace. Though a shot in the dark, for Colonel Fawcett, that was enough.

Although rarely a life or death matter, music holds great importance in almost every known historical and modern society. It is one of the most instantaneously recognizable defining elements of a culture. Many times, the mere thought of a foreign region immediately brings to mind the strains of that culture’s music. Such is the case in East Asia, which many relate to the pentatonic scale, or the buzzing didgeridoo of Aboriginal Australia. The jazz of inter-war America is another such example. It seems safe to surmise that every society attaches itself to a specific sound.

Still, music is rarely created on a national level. Rather, it is made by the people who comprise the region. Music is meant to be a personal expression, which often bears social implications. This is why it has worked so well as the defining element of many societies. Through music, the composer and players are showcasing their lives for the world to hear. Tchaikovsky wrote the “1812 Overture” to commemorate Russia’s defeat of Napoleon and his country’s deliverance from the despotical French Empire much the same as The Who wrote “My Generation” 150 years later as an expression of teenage restlessness and angst. Likewise, the blues players of the early 1900s sang of their woes living in an oppressive society, which offered them little in the way of opportunity. When one listens to the works of a musician, if that person is insightful, they will learn about the life of the musician on a very deep level.

Despite this, quite a few demographics treat their personal genres as if they are the only ones that matter. Country music fans might listen to little else but country and those who prefer rap might rarely listen to much else. People have a funny way of attaching themselves to one particular musical element and completely disregarding others. This is especially ironic as current music is often built upon the foundations of composers spanning hundreds of years and many musical epochs.

One should realize that even classical music was once the hip new music of roguish socialites. Your grandparents’ jazz? That was a clandestine movement often associated with marijuana, rebellion and sex. So the next time someone says “Tchaikovsky,” think twice before replying, “God bless you.” And it may behoove one to learn that Beethoven was a composer before a St. Bernard. So, take the time to experience music from different cultures and different times because even when the sounds change, the formulas remain the same.

But what ever happened to Fawcett and his men that one forgotten day in the jungles of Amazonian? As the music was played, the native barrage slackened. Eventually it came to an end. Still carrying on with their cheerful chorusing, Fawcett’s party was eventually approached by the once hostile native warriors. That night, Fawcett and his men sat as honored guests amongst their recently placated enemies.