This study is an exploration of the musical backgrounds and beliefs of nonmusicians and the relationship of these variables to music appreciation factors. Subjects were 533 college students enrolled in 17 sections of courses in Music Appreciation and Music for Classroom Teachers. Subjects completed a questionnaire regarding their musical backgrounds, preferences, and beliefs and then heard and responded to four highly expressive classical music excerpts. Data analyses indicated significant relationships between certain musical background factors and responsiveness to classical music. More specifically, past emotional experience with classical music was a reliable predictor of music appreciation, as measured by appropriate recognition of expression and willingness to listen to classical music on one's own time. Implications are drawn regarding approaches for teaching classical music to nonmusicians, including increased focus on expressive qualities in music listening experiences.
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