You can also browse the library's scores and books by call number using the Browse Search option in UC Library Search.  Or, from the Advanced Search page, click the word "Browse" at the top of the screen.

Select the "Library of Congress Call Number" option from the dropdown menu. 

Type one of the M, ML, or MT numbers above into the search box. 

Finding specific scores and recordings

To find a specific title for a musical work, always use Advanced Search.

Click "Resources in the Library." Then type in the composer and title, and select Scores (for scores), Audio (for sound recordings), or Visual (for DVDs and online videos) from the "Types of Material" dropdown menu:

You can use Author searching not only for authors and composers but also for performers and ensembles:

Use the menu on the left-hand side to limit composer results, etc.: 

Still stumped? Final tips: 

• Are you sure you're spelling the composer and title of the work correctly? We only have correct spellings in our database, so the search usually won't work if there's a typo.
• Read this guide on "Using Preferred Titles" to find out how to refine your search when looking for a specific work, such as an opera that is known by different names in different languages.
• Play around with the facets on the left-hand side menu.
• Don't be shy - Ask a Librarian for help! 

Have you noticed that musical works very often have two titles in UC Library Search?  The one in square brackets is called a "uniform title":

In library catalogs, most musical works each have a unique, standardized uniform title.  Whereas the title of the same work can vary on different scores and recordings, its uniform title in library catalogs is always the same.  Therefore, if you know a little bit about uniform titles, you can use them to search for music more effectively. 

To lean more, see the tutorial Using Uniform Titles from the music library at Indiana University. 

Finding vocal music

You can find music for the voice by simply browsing the shelves. In the Library of Congress system, used in academic libraries, call numbers of scores begin with the letter M, followed by a number that designates the medium of performance. The class numbers begin approximately with M1500 for full scores of operas. Sacred vocal music follows secular, beginning approximately with M2000 for full scores of oratorios (notice that both secular and sacred begin in parallel with large dramatic works). The class for vocal scores of operas is M1503, and for oratorios, M2003. Solo songs, secular and sacred, do not have parallel numbers: the former begin with M1611, the latter with M2102. Collected songs of individual composers are under M1620. Song cycles are under M1621.4. See vocal music. Most class numbers are arranged on the shelf alphabetically by composer. For example, if you are looking for a vocal score of an opera by Puccini, look in the M1503s under P. If you are looking for a collection of solo songs by Schubert, look in the M1620s under S. For symphonies by Mozart, look in the M1001s under M.More numbers:

Solo songs with orchestra

• M 1613 – Full scores  
• M 1614 – Vocal scores

Solo songs with piano

• M 1619 – Collections by more than one composer
• M 1620 – Collections by one composer:
  • M 1620.B – Brahms 
  • M 1620.F – Faure 
  • M 1620.I – Ives 
  • M 1620.S – Schubert, Schumann, Strauss
  • M 1621 – Separate songs
  • M 1621.4 – Song cycles

Operas, musicals

• M 1500 – Full scores
• M 1503 – Vocal scores
• M 1507 – Excerpts 

Oratorios

• M 2000 – Full scores
• M 2003 – Vocal scores

Other useful numbers

• M 1530 – Secular choruses, mixed voices with orchestra, full scores
• M 1533 – Secular choruses, mixed voices with orchestra, vocal scores
• M 2010 – Masses 
• M 2011 – Masses, unaccompanied
• M 2020 – Sacred choruses, mixed voices with orchestra, full scores
• M 2023 – Sacred choruses, mixed voices with orchestra, vocal scores

Finding books

Call numbers of books begin with ML, and call numbers of instructional materials such as methods, studies, and orchestral excerpts begin with MT.  Browse under these numbers to find books and instructional materials for clarinet:

ML AND MT CLASS NUMBERS FOR VOCAL MUSIC

Literature (a very selective list)

ML 1400-3275 – Vocal music 

• ML 1460 – Vocal technique
• ML 1500-1554 – Choral music
• ML 1600-2881 – Secular vocal music
• ML 1700 – Dramatic music (opera, musical theater, etc.):
  • ML 1711 – United States
  • ML 1727 – France
  • ML 1729 – Germany
  • ML 1731 – British Isles 
  • ML 1733 – Italy
• ML 2500-2862 – Songs
• ML 2600-2770 – Part songs
• ML 2633 – Madrigals
• ML 2800-2862 – Solo songs:
  • ML 2811 – United States
  • ML 2827 – France 
  • ML 2829 – Germany (Lied)
• ML 2900-3275 – Sacred vocal music:
  • ML 3000 – Christian (general)
  • ML 3002-3095 – Roman Catholic
  • ML 3100-3188 – Protestant
  • ML 3195 – Jewish 
  • ML 3197 – Islamic

Instruction and study

• MT 820 – General
• MT 821 – Physiology, hygiene
• MT 823 – History of vocal pedagogy
• MT 825-850 – Systems and methods
• MT 885 – Studies and exercises