The authenticity of George Selcamm's novel derives from his own experience. A native New Yorker, he prepared for a musical career and is a professional musician as well as an indefatigable concert-goer. With many of his friends also active in the music world, Mr. Selcamm has had unique opportunity to observe the careers of different people and to synthesize their experiences in this novel. The characters are all fictional, but anyone who aspires to a musical career or has made a place for himself will recognize the verisimilitude of Fifty-seventh Street . Mr. Selcamm's previous novel, also about musicians, was The Night is for Music .