Skip to main content
It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.
print page banner

The University of Iowa Libraries

Skip to content

Rita Benton Music Library

Spring 2021 Music Library Guide: Scores

HOW TO FIND AND REQUEST SCORES 

We will do our best to get you the scores you need for your studies. The following limitations will apply:

  • Interlibrary Loan services will not be as reliable in covering requests for scores not available in the Music Library. Most libraries are not sending physical items, but only providing scans, and there are copyright limitations on how much of a score can be scanned.
  • The Music Library's stacks will not be open for patron browsing and item retrieval. All scores must be requested for pickup through InfoHawk+. See the video below for help on how to make a request for scores, books, and recordings using InfoHawk+.
  • The Music Library will scan portions of a score to meet patrons requests. Examples of a portion include a movement, a particular part (e.g., violin part), a song, or a work or two from a collected volume of works. See the video below for help on how to make a request for a score scan.
  • The Music Library subscribes to several online score platforms, and can recommend other open access or public domain products that may contain the scores you need to study. See the items in the left-hand column for information on various online score providers.

BabelScores

undefinedWhat you'll find in BabelScores
  • Contemporary music
  • Works by composers from around the world
  • A robust online viewer
  • Information for contacting composers

Visit Babelscores >>

A-R Editions Online Anthology

a-r editions logoWhat you'll find from A-R Editions:
  • Over 1,000 scores, from medieval to the 20th century literature.
  • A western music history textbook, covering topics, works, eras, specific composers, theory, and genre/forms.
How to Read Online:

You will want to access this resource on a desktop or laptop computer, it is not mobile-friendly.

Access A-R Editions Online Anthology >>

IMSLP

imslp logoWhat you'll find in the Petrucci Music Library at IMSLP:
  • Sheet music for 160,000+ works, most in the public domain
  • Over 60,000 recordings 
How to Read Online:

IMSLP allows pdf downloads of scores where public domain applies (e.g., not all works are public domain in the United States). Unless you are a subscriber, you must wait 15 seconds before a pdf will download. 

Visit IMSLP>>

Iowa Digital Library

What you'll find in the Iowa Digital Library:
  • The Ignaz Pleyel Early Editions: over 200 scores of Pleyel's music, collected by Dr. Rita Benton and the Music Library.
  • The Arthur and Miriam Canter Rare Book Room collection: scores digitized on demand from our Rare Book Room, then added to our digital library.
How to Read Online:

You can view Iowa Digital Library scores online or download as pdf. If you need a high-quality image for publication, TIFF files are available per request (email lib-mus@uiowa.edu).

Visit Ignaz Pleyel Early Editions >>

Visit Canter Rare Book Room collection >>

How to Request Library Scores for Pickup using InfoHawk+

How to Request Scans of a Music Score section/part/song