The auditorium¹ is full of people conversing² in the audience. On the stage the performers are shuffling³ their music and tuning⁴ their instruments as they prepare for the performance. The conductor enters, takes a bow, and all is silent. He raises his baton⁵ and the symphony begins to play. All of the instruments have different sounds, and the parts they play blend and harmonize with one another. The music would not be as exciting if every part were the same. The symphony is a symbol for life, especially in a community. Diversity and the coming together of each instrument is what gives the symphony its unique and special sound. This is also true in life and the world we live in. Individuals bring in their own input⁶ that influences others.

A symphony orchestra is composed of a variety of brass⁷, woodwind, percussion⁸ and stringed instruments. Each of these instruments has its own unique sound but when played together they complement⁹ each other. Like a symphony and its instruments, the world is composed of many races and cultures. They are uniquely different but can have an influence on each other even if it is not intentional¹⁰. If you are walking down the street, for example, and move out of the way so as not to bump into someone, they are influencing your actions when you move inside.

Individuality is an important part of the symphony. Each player has his or her own part to perform. These parts can be played on their own but do not have the same effect as when they are combined with the other parts of the orchestra. They blend into a harmonious¹¹ piece of music. In other words, you can hear what each person has to contribute and how each performer works together. In life, each person has a talent that they are particularly good at. When they work together, it accentuates¹² their talent. A surgeon can be very gifted but is more capable of saving a life if he has a team of medical personnel assisting him.

In an essay called "The Gospel of Wealth," Andrew Carnegie discussed his views on wealth, the public good, and individualism. He described individualism as "a nobler ideal that man should labor¹³, not for himself alone, but in and for a brotherhood¹⁴ of his fellows, and share with them all in common." Carnegie felt that individuality was important, but should not be taken so far that it separates everyone from each other. Each person should contribute their own ideas that better help the community as a whole.

Another similarity between life and the symphony is that a performer may not always have the melody but will accompany someone who does. Or in another case, a performer will not always have a solo and the chance to be in the spotlight¹⁵. In life, everybody has their moments of glory although they may go unnoticed like the accompanist. This does not mean, however, that they are any less important than anyone else. The melody does not stay with one instrument for the whole song but moves throughout the orchestra. As in life, everyone eventually has their moment to shine and their chance to be in the spotlight.

When preparing for a concert, the musicians are reminded by their conductor to stagger their breathing. They can, of course, breathe when they need to but they have to try not to breathe at the same time as the person sitting next to them. If everyone breathed at the same time, there would be a noticeable moment of silence in the song. This is yet another example that can be applied¹⁶ to life. People have to breathe when they need to breathe and to do what they want to do. They have to be an individual and know that someone will be there to cover for them.

The orchestra continues to play. It moves together as a group yet separately, with each person contributing their own part. Each musician is an active member of the symphony. We more together in life, contributing what we have to offer from day to day as active members in our community. The orchestra plays their last note and the song is over. There is a moment of silence that is broken by the applause of the audience.