Durrell was a professional musician. He toured Asia, Brazil, Canada, gigs in Paris. Now he teaches chorus at a high school on Chicago's south side. Touring was easier. Durrell explains the frustrations of being a music teacher. We hear him try to cancel the last concert of the year...and how his students try to change his mind.

Act One. Papa Was Not A Rolling Stone.

A case study of how children are asked to live the unlived lives of their parents. Author and TAL contributor David Sedaris had a father who loved jazz, but played no instrument himself. Instead, he dreamt that his children would learn to play and form a little jazz combo. He sent David to take guitar lessons. David, however, had dreams of his own.

Act Two. Toccata and Fugue in Me, A-Minor.

As a teenager, Sarah Vowell was not casual about music lessons—music became her life. She was in marching band, jazz band, Band One, symphony band, pep band and the Bozeman Recorder Ensemble. Here Sarah recalls all the things she learned in music class that had nothing to with music. Music from elementary school students from the San Francisco Unified School District.

Act Three. Knockin' on Heaven's Door.

Writer Anne Lamott with an example of what we can learn from music, right now, outside of formal classes. She tells the story of an airplane trip, a song, and a small miracle.

Song: "Eyes on the Sparrow," Renola Garrison vocals, Anne Jefferson pianist