"I always ask the people in government, 'Who was your music teacher in school?'  When I know the name, then I know they understand the arts.  It's so important to get people in government who understand the arts!"

-- Romans Vanags

In response to the question, "Why is music important to humankind?"

"Any crisis requires harmony.  I believe harmony in life critically important because all the bad things that happen around us are based on inharmonious living.  I see this with my choirs; they are better people for being involved in music."

-- Romans Vanags, Latvian choral conductor

"For me, music is a vehicle to bring our pain to the surface, getting it back to that humble and tender spot where, with luck, it can lose its anger and become compassion again."

-- Paula Cole

"Choral music is not one of life's frills.  It's something that goes to the very heart of our humanity, our sense of community, and our souls.  You express, when you sing, your soul in song.  And when you get together with a group of other singers, it becomes more than the sum of the parts."

-- John Rutter