What's Wrong with this Picture?

Well, to be honest, there's nothing wrong with this picture. It's what it's telling us that is the challenge.
No matter what the "high end" art form, among those most likely to participate ( the college educated) Arts participation is in decline.  And not a little bit either.

While we can blame this on education, or the internet, or the recession (which surely did impact the last set of numbers), there is another contributor. Demographics.  A study by noted researcher Russel Belk in 1982 found that arts attendance in the theater and symphony were directly correlated to life stage. Young single people were twice as likely to go out as newly married (have you tried to get a baby sitter lately?).

 In 1982 the baby boom, that  "pig in a python" moving through our demographic curve was sitting solidly in the single  people stage  remember yuppies?). 30 years later, there is good news. The baby boomers are becoming empty nesters and retirees. If past data holds, they may be ready to re-enter your  arts world.

The question is.. Choral Nation... are you ready for them?