This timeline is of the cultureal evolutions in music from the Colonial Period which is during the early Renaissance period to WWI. Between these periods music changed a great deal and gave birth to many famous composers that we still listen to today. Starting from just sacred music and then venturing out to secular music which is the most popular of the two in this century.  The most significant time for me was the advancment in which women where allowed to be involved in the expanding music world. The timeline dates from the 1600 to the early 1900s ending with the the nationalism of music.