Music
Scores
Call number ranges for choral music:
M 1529-1609 Secular choral
M 1611-1624 Secular vocal
M 1999-2199 Sacred choral & vocal
M 2000-2003 Oratorios
M 2010-2013 Masses, requiems, etc.
M 2020-2023 Cantatas and other works
M 2038-2058 Anthems
Sources for free scores online:
- CPDL: Choral Public Domain LibraryOut-of-copyright choral music.
- Music Online: Classical Scores Library This link opens in a new window
Classical Scores Library, volume 1 contains more than 50,000 scores in PDF files for printing. Search specific composers, works, genres, instrument, time periods, etc., or browse the collection. Links to the audio recordings in Classical Music Library allow users to listen while viewing the score.
- IMSLP/Petrucci Music LibraryMore than 250,000 public-domain (out of copyright) scores, plus music from composers who are willing to share it without charge.
- American Choral Music - Library of CongressMusic by 23 American composers, including five women. PDF scores may be printed.
Books on Choral Music
Books on choral music are at these call numbers:
- Histories, surveys: ML 1500-1554
- Appreciation and analysis: MT 115 (by composer)
- Sacred and church music: ML 2900-3275
- Singing and voice culture: MT 820-849
- Conducting: MT 85
See also the Composers tab above for finding music by and information about specific composers.
Some useful library resources:
Choral Music by Call Number: ML128.C48 S53 2011 (Reference)ISBN: 9780415994194Publication Date: 2011-03-23
Choral Repertoire by
Choral Repertoire is the definitive and comprehensive one-volume presentation of the canon of the Western choral tradition. Designed for practicing conductors and directors, students and teachers of choral music, amateur and professional singers, scholars, and interested vocal enthusiasts, it is an account of the complete choral output of the most significant composers of this genre throughout history. Organized by era (Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern), Choral Repertoire covers general characteristics of each historical era; trends and styles unique to various countries; biographical sketches of over 500 composers; and performance annotations of more than 5,000 individual works. This book will be an essential guide to programming, a reference tool for program notes and other research, and, most importantly, a key resource for conductors, instructors, scholars, and students of choral music.
Call Number: Electronic BookISBN: 9780195327786Publication Date: 2009-04-07
A Conductor's Guide to Choral-Orchestral Works, Classical Period by Call Number: ML128.C48 G703 2002 (Reference)ISBN: 0810842068Publication Date: 2001-12-11
Historical Dictionary of Choral Music by Call Number: Electronic BookISBN: 1282607715Publication Date: 2010-01-01
Related Websites
- ChorTeach - ACDA"Practical teaching ideas for today's music educator."
- ChoralNet - ACDANews, blogs, forums, resources.
- Hymnary.orgComprehensive index of hymns and hymnals.
- NetHymnalInfo and MIDI files for Christian hymns.
Texts & Translations
Two sources for translations are below. Recordings can also be a good source for texts and translations.
- Lieder Net ArchiveTexts in public domain. Some translations available.
- Translations and Annotations of Choral Repertoire by Call Number: MT883 .J34x 1988 (Reference)ISBN: 0962153206Publication Date: 1988-11-014 volumes: Latin, German, French, and Hebrew texts.
Score Collections
Collections with a significant amount of choral music are:
- Das Chorwerk
- Early English Church Music
- English Madrigalists
- Musica Britannica
- Recent Researches in the Music of the...(Middle Ages through 20th century)
Search these as titles in the library catalog to see what is available.
Choral Periodicals
Choral Journal
Choir & Organ
Voice of Chorus America
These are in the Current Periodicals area for browsing; back issues in Periodicals stacks. We have access to many more periodicals via article databases.