An in-depth examination of symphony orchestra youth concerts in 20 American cities was conducted under the auspices of the American University, Washington, D.C., and with the cooperation of the American Symphony Orchestra League, to determine the role of youth concerts in cultural education. Field teams, each consisting of a music education specialist and an orchestra specialist, spent 2 weeks in each city collecting information on the purpose, history, operation, and financing of youth concerts; on the attitudes of teachers, students, orchestra members, supporting organizations, and local citizens toward the concerts; on the preparation of students for both attending concerts and taking part in follow-up activities; on socioeconomic factors governing concerts; and on the need for concerts as related to their availability. Highlights of the findings included: (1) Youth concerts were generally believed to be vital to a child's education. (2) The success of the concerts depended on the effective leadership of school administrators, teachers, and orchestra members, especially that provided by the conductor in his selection of music and through his personal influence. (3) The symphony orchestras paid about 75% of the youth concert costs and helped raise funds to pay the rest of the costs. (4) Most concerts were given to students in grades 4-9 during school time. (5) Students must be prepared for concerts. (LH)