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 labor， not for himself alone， but in and for a brotherhood 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 spotlight. 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 applied to life.
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.