Can we understand music's meaning?-part 4

       The music philosopher Roger Scruton stated, "If music has meaning, then that meaning must be understood by one who understands the music." Understanding Music by Roger Scruton, p. 34   Although I do not agree with all Scruton meant by that statement, I do agree that, at face value, the statement is true.  We can understand music and also its meaning i.e. it's import. Where we would disagree is that I believe that the performer always brings something from outside of music to the experience of "doing' i.e. performing music or to the experience of listening to music. I believe that all understanding that comes from inside of music can be understood outside of music.
       The most important thing about music is that we EXPERIENCE it.  It will never hurt or help us very much while it is merely left in the musical score.  Although an astute musician may audiate music (hear the music in his mind as he sees it), I contend that it does not really come alive and have great power until we experience it  produced, performed, recorded etc.
       I believe that Scruton's statement is true, in that the person who stands to receive the most "understanding" from music is the one who understands its formal properties, its style, its "nuts and bolts" its melodic structure, its harmonic practice, its text etc. etc. etc. Therefore, the person who stands to be influenced the most, either for good or for evil, by a particular type of music is the person who hears or performs it with the most understanding. However, I believe that everyone who musics actively by" doing" or passively  by hearing is affected what they do understand.