I think that listening to music is important, as someone else has stated it can lift our spirits when we are down. If you are fortunate to have the talent to actually play music it is even more important.

Music touches emotions. Music and lyrics touches emotions. It lifts us up. It takes away boredom. It helps us concentrate. It helps us connect through empathy to situations others face. Music also has been proven to aid in learning, so yes music is important.

They say that reading music or the ability to play an instrument is one of the few (perhaps the only) persuit that actively engages nearly all of the brain simultaneously. There is also a part of the brain that is only activated and utilized by the reading of music and playing an instrument.

Certainly music is an integral key to high order intellectual thinking.  It has been used as therapy, as a means to actively engage students with various mental and physical disabilities, and even for some, a method of communication.

Music is not something I would ever force upon my own children, but it is something I truly hope they are interested in because I think it will make them more well rounded in every other area of intellectual and social skills.

Absolutely. I need music when I'm doing anything: driving, working, exercising, reading...just about everything! My family also has a musical background. My paternal grandmother was a lounge singer, and my dad played drums and sang in a band for about 30 years. I love to sing, but usually only do so in the privacy of my own home, or onstage in musicals. Few things in life can influence my mood like a good song.

Well, it is certainly important in my life, judging by the fact that some form of music is almost always playing, in my house, in my car, even in my classroom.  As a historian, I like how music reflects the time period and events taking place as it is written and performed.  I like how it reflects and reminds us of culture at the time.  It serves as a connection between eras and generations.  Plus it's just fun and uplifting.