One of the most enduring lessons that the author learned as a musician is that sometimes the most expressive notes are the ones never played. This lesson continues to teach him as he learns to correctly use it within his compositions, as well as in live performances. The author has used music as a tool to connect with students, and has written songs that spoke to the different environmental, social, and political aspects of where he was living. In this article, the author discusses how music and emotion can be integrated with place-based education to foster actively engaged students with a deeper sense of connectedness and appreciation for the natural world.