Arthur Farwell (1872-1952), the drum-beater for the American composer beginning about 1900, was in the forefront of nearly every facet of the nation's musical life. When he discovered that neither the music written by American composers nor their profession was recognized or supported, he vowed 'to change the United States in this respect.' He founded the Wa-Wan Press and the American Music Society nationwide, made four crusading transcontinental tours, and published countless essays to promote the cause of American music. His story reveals the human side of a composer caught up in a passionate love for his country and its 'common people' and how he met the countless challenges of his 'mission' to bring good music into their lives through community music experiences.