Music History

Welcome to the Music History Research Guide! This guide is designed to help you discover new information and utilize research tools, whether you are an undergraduate performance major in a required music history course or a graduate-level student pursuing an advanced degree in musicology. Begin your research by accessing reference materials like Oxford Music Online or locating any number of print reference volumes listed on the Reference Sources page. Next find Books, Articles, and Scores and develop search strategies by learning about library classification, subject headings, OneSearch, and various databases like RILM Abstracts of Music Literature. Also browse recommended materials for inspiration when determining your research topic. Then Listen to Audio or Watch Video via a streaming platform like Naxos Music Library or on physical disc.

Several specialized pages will assist the advanced student researcher. These include the Bibliographies page where you will find in-depth guides to research on a specific composer, performer, topic, or repertoire. On the Source Readings page, find writings by the musicians themselves, including autobiographies, correspondence, and interviews. On the Musical Sources (M2) and Complete Editions (M3) pages, find lists of scholarly series and editions held in the Music Collection as well as links to similar resources online. On the page, Dissertations and Theses, view advice for locating culminating documents prepared by student researchers. Finally, as you are writing your term paper, find style guides and citation tools at the Writing and Citation page. Know of a resource not included in this guide? Feel free to email the Music Librarian and they will add it. Or, suggest an item for purchase, if it is a resource not currently owned by University Libraries.