Every new teacher soon realizes the importance of principals, those often put-upon school leaders who play a key role in determining the direction and quality of education in their buildings. In this article, the author focuses on differently spelled but equally important "principles"--the kind that guide one's decision making. While principals may visit classrooms two or three times during a school year, principles are with people daily, shaping everything they do. A principled person acts with integrity by consistently doing what is "right" rather than what is "easy". Principled music teachers are "student centered", acting in the best long-term interest of children, even when it would be easier or self-serving to do otherwise. This article presents five guiding principles to help music teachers realize the goal of music education for life for all those whose lives they touch. Teachers who follow these principles can help their students find personal paths to lifelong involvement in and support for music.