Music : Finding Songs

While you can find songs published individually, they can be published in anthologies or are part of a larger work such as a song cycle, opera, or cantata.  In most cases, all that's needed is a keyword search to locate a score of a song. 

Here are some steps to help you find scores of songs.

I. Catalog:

A. Use a keyword search in the catalog (i.e. "Gute Nacht").
B. Enter the composer name in one of the other text boxes (in this case, it would be Schubert).  Select "Author" from the drop down box labeled "Any field."
C. On the left-hand side under "Resource Type", select "Scores."
D. If you know that the song came from a larger work such as an opera, song cycle, cantata or oratorio, then search under the title of that larger work instead(in this case, it would be Winterreise).  Select "Title" from the drop down box labeled "Any field,"  add the composer's name, and select the "Author" from the drop down box labeled "Any Field."
E. On the left-hand side under "Resource Type", select "Scores."

II. If you are having trouble determining whether or not a song came from a larger work, try the following:

A. Search The New Penguin Dictionary of Music by composer and locate the song in the works list if possible.
B. UTK Song Index - Keep in mind that this resource will link to the University of Tennessee resources, not the ones here at MSUB. If you find an item you would like to request, input the citation information into an InterLibrary Loan request here, and we will try to locate a copy for you from one of our partner libraries.
C. When you find a song in a collection, write down the title of the anthology and look it up in the MSUB Library’s online catalog.
D. Don't hesitate to contact Linda Garcia, Music Librarian, for more help!