Using data from the National Opinion Research Center's 1980 national survey, "High School and Beyond," relationships between an overall measure of ability and participation in performing arts activities were examined for 21,479 high school seniors from 1,015 public and private schools. A low positive relationship was found between participation and ability, a relationship that was similar for both males and females. A similar low relationship was found between participation and various demographic variables. Comparing statistics on participation in performing arts between males and females, the report stated that more females than males participate in chorus, dance, debate, and drama, and that participation between males and females is about the same in band and orchestra. (IM)