Music Collection
Dalhousie's music collection has something for everyone
The music collection is located on the first floor of the Killam Memorial Library. Special Collections provides access to music rare books and books in the Don Warner Jazz Collection. The University Archives also holds archival material from local performing arts organizations, composers, and musicians. Access to this material is provided in the Archives and Special Collections Reading Room on the fifth floor of the Killam Memorial Library.
Maps to Killam Library
- Killam Library (Interactive Campus Maps)
- Location via Google Maps
Contact Information
- Music Librarian: Karen Smith
- Phone: 902-494-8803
- Email: K.E.M.Smith@dal.ca
Collection Overview
Books
- Books about all aspects of musicology, music theory, performance, technique, etc.
- Some mixed media books accompanied by tapes, slides, cassettes, CDs (on site use only)
Databases
- RILM Abstracts of Music Literature
- Oxford Music Online
- IPA Source (International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcriptions)
- Opera in Video (streaming video)
- Rock's Backpages
- Classical Scores Library (online database)
- Naxos Music Library (streaming audio)
- List of all music databases
Scores and recordings
- Comprehensive collection of study scores, including collected works and Urtext scores of major composers
- Selection of performance scores and parts
- CD and vinyl recordings in all genres
- Videorecordings of operas and recitals
Archives and Special Collections
- Music manuscripts
- Archival sound recordings
- Performance records
- Don Warner Jazz Collection
See the music subject guide for a select list of archival collections or search the Archives Catalogue.
Using the Music Collection
- Books, scores, recordings and feature film DVDs are catalogued and available in Novanet or Novanet Classic.
- Headphones may be signed out at the Killam Library Service Point.
- CD and record players, headphones, and an electronic piano are available.
- Music recordings do not circulate.
- Study and Performance Scores circulate for one week.
- M2 and M3 scores are for onsite use only.
Research Tools
- Music subject guide
- Music Reference Collection of major music encyclopedias, directories, IPA librettos of major operas, repertoire catalogues, thematic catalogues, bibliographies and music research guides is located in the Music Collection between the Music score and book section.
- Oxford Music Online
- List of all music databases