Near the film's conclusion the piecemeal orchestra, made up of former students of Mr Holland, plays his long awaited composition. As Mr Holland demonstrates throughout the film, he is a great admirer of John Lennon, so it is only fitting that the very last note played in his piece of music is exactly the same struck piano chord heard in the Beatles, "A Day in the Life" (although The Beatles chord is an E Major while the Mr. Holland chord appears to be an F Major).