A comment on 2 studies conducted in Holland: (1) 'The Audience Heard', (U of Utrecht, 1962), & (2) 'Public Attitudes to the Opera', (Amsterdam Council of Culture, 1963.) (1) was based on questionaires sent to 509 S's, to determine the nature of concert audiences. 40% was found to be over 50 yrs; 30.2% of those under religious affiliation were important factors. (2) was less voluminous though more ambitious. Out of 350 concert-goers, 33 were selected for exhaustive interviewing having a psychol'al orientation. Various types were delineated, ie, the all-around music lover, the 'culture-inclined,' etc. 2 questions must be answered: (A) how to maintain the present audience, & (B) how to attract new concert-goers. It is felt that neither study (1) or (2) answers these questions adequately, for neither takes into account the occasional, or `selective' concert-goer; both deal only with 'regulars.' It is concluded that the 'threshold fear', determined by S-cul factors, must be analyzed & overcome, esp among the young & the Lc's, if concert attendance is to improve. A. Chapman.
