Jewish musicality in America

Abstract

A study of musical attainment of Jewish adults; results with children, based on the Seashore musical tests, Kwalwasser-Dykema tests, and Drake musical memory test; and a historical and theoretical interpretation of data yield the conclusions that follow: (1) "Jewish incidence among 'American' musicians exceeds expectancy. (2) Roughly 50 per cent of the violin virtuosi, and the maestros and first violinists of American symphony orchestras are of Jewish origin. One-quarter to one-half of the piano virtuosi and of all symphonic and amusement instrumentalists are Jewish. Ten per cent of 'American' composers are of Jewish extraction. (3) Comparable Jewish (N = 200) and non-Jewish (N = 300) children aged 10-11 years are equally endowed in basic musical tracts… . (4) Historic social forces have stimulated Jewish musicality intensely." (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)