Use course materials and reference tools such as Grove or history texts to identify certain composers or types of music you want to focus on. Then use the tips below and at left to find more materials about them in the library catalog.
Library Catalog. USD's online library catalog contains full information (bibliographic records) for books, scores, recordings, etc.
Find books, recordings, DVDs, journals, music scores, and more held at USD and in other Regental Universities in South Dakota. Direct export of records to EndNote. Start here to request things we don't own with Interlibrary Loan.
WorldCat
A catalog containing the holdings for most of the academic and many of the public libraries in the country and some from other countries. Also great for direct export of records to EndNote. Direct links to request things we don't own with Interlibrary Loan.
The European Library
Access to many of the European libraries' catalogs and digital content.
Directory of National Libraries
Links to National Libraries around the world.
There are several ways to find materials on your piece/topic in the library catalog.
What catalog to use? See "A Word About Catalogs".
1. By composer
Use the composer name as an author (if you want works by them) or as a subject (if you want writings about them)
2. Through subject heading searches
By composer name (see above)
By genre--always use plural to find scores and recordings*
Madrigals, English.
Motets
By era
Motet - 15th century. (when talking about a genre as a subject, then it's singular)*
Sacred vocal music - 15th century.
Music - 16th century - History and criticism.
*could search with motet* to find all "motet" and "motets" (or motet? in the old catalog)
By topic
Performance practice (Music)-500-1400
Performance practice (Music)-15th Century
3. Keyword searches
"renaissance music"
"16th century music"
"instrumental music" and "15th century"