How to Be a Contributor to Musical Culture

Local colleges, including community colleges that teach recording arts and other schools and institutions that have choirs and other musical groups-- there’s something in it for you too, other than good karma. Help them record their work; if the compositions are covered by copyright, the mechanical licenses are not costly and can usually be gotten at a reduced rate for small, non-commercial distributions. Imagine listening to some of this stuff on your system if it is recorded simply. Pretty cool.
If you have professional chops as a business person, you can teach a seminar or do a guest speaker slot at a public forum-- part of educating the artist community. You don’t have to be a music business person to explain basics of good business practices. If you are a lawyer, volunteer some time to a pro bono organization for artists. Some cities have Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts type programs; others may offer similar services.
Find a local band you dig-- supporting them can take many forms- helping find them gigs at venues; introducing them to music they may be unaware of; introducing them to other artists (the biggest failing of young and not so young bands is the songwriting-- some of these folks can really play but lack material).
It isn’t just charity or being a good citizen-- there are tangible and intangible rewards for doing this, on so many levels. Good post there, @Erik!

Before electronics, Group music was the only entertainment available. People used to invite each other to listen to an actual human playing piano in the parlor! Sometimes the group would actually sing along! I think we are slowly moving to the "Matrix Model" where everyone has their own pod with all needs provided for (I'll bet you didn't notice the headphones Keanu was wearing, did you?). But you're right Eric, It's up to us 'cause nobody else will do it.