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Search the library catalog to begin. The Northwestern University Music Collection includes books, scores, sound recordings and databases, with particular strength in twentieth-century music.
Further tools for your search include:
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Explore the Collection
The Northwestern Music Collection covers all historical periods, with particular strength in twentieth-century music. The collection also includes recordings of Bienen faculty recitals, faculty master classes, and performances by School of Music ensembles.
Research and Instruction Services
We are available for research, reference, consultation and instruction to support the exploration and use of our collections.
Visit Us
University Library, 3rd Floor
1970 Campus Drive
Evanston, IL 60208
Space open for all University Library hours.
Set up an appointment for research assistance, to review rare materials or to request archival recordings of Northwestern performances.
Rare materials can be requested from the McCormick Library.
About
The Northwestern University Music Library was established in 1945 in a room of the Music Administration Building. Don L. Roberts, Head of the Music Library from 1969 to 2002, set a collections strategy to develop a music collection of international distinction. Roberts placed emphasis on collecting music composed since 1945 and, through arrangements with publishers and dealers from around the world, developed the most extensive collection of contemporary music held by any academic library. During this period, the Music Library also began acquiring music manuscripts and archival collections, including the Fritz Reiner Library, a portion of the Moldenhauer Archives and the John Cage Collection. In 1976, the library moved to Deering Library, and again in 2021 to 3 South in University Library.
The Music Collection today continues to build its holdings of contemporary works through extensive acquisitions of printed music, sound recordings, and rare materials. Notable recent additions include the archive of the publishing firm American Music Edition, a collection of letters by Edgard Varèse, and manuscripts by Samuel Barber, Lou Harrison, Iannis Xenakis, and other prominent composers.