(Ed. Note--Following are extracts from an article written by a Yale undergraduate columnist on the conditions of classical music in college.)

Most of us can think of a few otherwise intelligent people who are hidebound on the subject of the Younger Generation; professional pessimists who moan and become vehement over the lack of taste and the low standards of the Jazz-mad, Whoopee young people of the day. These pessimists are no doubt permanent fixtures of society, but if they were to glance about with a little more regard for facts and a little loss regard for their own enviable position, the story would be of quite another color; and a color more favorable to the pathetic, abused Orphans of the Culture Reform storms: the wild present generation.

In the first place the numbers added each year to the classes of musical appreciation at the Music School, while the eminence of the teacher may be the cause of drawing a certain group, indicate a general desire to acquire some sort of idea of "what music is all about." In the second place the number of students attending the concerts in the past few years has grown perceptibly. But these general observations are less stable than actual figures; occasionally economic facts are more digestible. In this case it deals with the sale of phonograph records; and the fact is rather amazing. At a record store in the vicinity of the college, of the total sale a little over a year ago, about ninety-three per cent, were jazz or popular music. At the present time the seven per cent, has risen to forty-five per cent ... approximately, and seems to be increasing.

Perhaps of all the arts it requires less intensive study and knowledge to become an appreciative and intelligent listener of good music. And while a certain amount of affectation is admitted, it is not credible that a large percentage of undergraduates will be affected to the extent of paying out fifteen-dollar lump sums for appearing to be an appreciator of good music. There is no one urging the majority to buy records, to hear music, by telling them what "finer men" they may become if they listen to Beethoven's "Seventh" every evening. Certainly a judicial, unprejudiced individual would say that the interest is prefectly sincere and indicative of pronounced broadening.

This article does not intend to imply that as far as cultural standards are concerned there is nothing more to be asked. Far from that! It wishes only to assert that the doldrums of low aesthetic standards (for lack of a better term) are by no means a permanent condition in this country, at least. --Yale News.