Find a Score - Music Subject Guide
Find a printed musical score in the Library
Begin by searching the online catalog
Are you looking for a particular piece of printed music?
By Title
Searches using the title of a work.
Example: Appalachian Spring
When you see the list of results, click the 
button and limit the material type to Music Score.
By Author
Searches using the artist's name as author. Type the composer's last name first.
Example: Copland, Aaron
Limit using both material type "Music Score" and "Words in Title": Appalachian Spring.
By Keyword
Searches for words in titles, authors, subjects, or notes.
Select "Expanded Keyword Search" and enter an Author and a Title, then limit the search to "Music Score" before hitting the “submit” button.
Try the examples above to see the different results you get from searching in different ways
|
Search Tip: In the Author and Subject searches put the composer's last name first. If you get no results in any of the searches above, check to make sure you are spelling the composer's name correctly. |
Are you looking for scores with particular instrumentation?
By Subject
Type the musical form first, followed by the instrument, or just the name of the form.
Examples: sonatas piano | suites orchestra | concertos harp | symphonies
Limit the results to "Music Score" and "Words in Author or Title"
By Keyword
Select "Expanded Keyword Search".
Choose "Subject" from the drop-down menu, enter the type of music you want, and limit Material Type to "music score"
Examples: string quartets | blues music | piano quartets
View the examples above to see the different results you get from searching in different ways.
|
Notice: You will get more results using a keyword search, but searching by subject gets more specific results |
Once you have performed a search, you will get a list of results, click on the item you wish to view.
For additional help in searching for scores, visit our finding music scores and sound recordings supplemental page.
What does this part of the record mean:
Call Number: A call number is the address each item is given so you can locate it in the library. The University Libraries use the Library of Congress call number system, called the Library of Congress Classification System. If you click on this link you will get a list of the books that will be surrounding the item on the shelf.
Location: This states where the item is located in the library. If you click on the information this will show a map of the library.
Most music scores will be in the M Section on the first floor of the library.
Status: Is the score checked out, been ordered, lost, etc...
If the status is listed as MISSING or the score is not located on the shelves, please visit the circulation department to inquire about the item. If the location is listed as ANNEX, click the annex location link and fill out the Annex Request Form.
If the score status is NOT CHK'D OUT go ahead and head for the shelf.
|
Search Tip: If you need more help using the catalog, go to the reference desk or try this tutorial. |
If this library does not have the scores you need for your research:
WorldCat
Over 1.2 billion records of any type of material (mostly books) cataloged by OCLC member libraries.
Scores that are not owned by this library or are checked out can be ordered through interlibrary loan.
NOTE: Interlibrary loan should not be used for materials you will need in a few days or to order textbooks.