Start here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_music

Well Tanya i dont know about the site but i have read this book “Ikhwan us Safa” its a first encyclopeadia ever written depicting Islamic philosophy it says…That all kinds of human work, the effort placed is shown out in material objects only , and manufactures all forms of physical, but the music, here the physical effort produces something which is entirly spiritual, because its effects are on the hearts and soul of the listeners, and its all manifestations of spirituality as well. And as the work of music is shown on hearts and soul so it can change the moods of the people in accordance to its tunes