Research Starters
We all use Wikipedia, but if you want something authoritative and reliable, Britannica® Academic is a great option. Like all encyclopedias, this source is a good way to find background information on a topic.
- Encyclopedia Britannica - Academic This link opens in a new windowIf the search widget above isn't working, you can click here to access Britannica Academic.
Opposing Viewpoints is a great source for information about current events, especially controversial ones. They provide a wide variety of sources on each topic - everything from opinion essays to scholarly articles. We recommend this source when you're having difficulty coming up with a topic. It's also a good tool if you already have an idea, but aren't sure what direction to take.
- Opposing Viewpoints In Context (Gale) This link opens in a new windowIf the search widget above isn't working, you can click here to access Opposing Viewpoints.
This source is very similar to Opposing Viewpoints in Context - it's a good place to look for information on controversial issues.
- Points of View Reference Source This link opens in a new windowIf the search widget above isn't working, you can click here to access Points of View Reference Center.
General Music and Music History
- Heritage of MusicML160 .H527 1989
- The Grove Dictionary of American MusicRef ML101 .U6 N48 2013
- Oxford Companion to MusicML100 .S37 2002
- New Oxford History of MusicML160 .N44
- Oxford Dictionary of Music, ML100 .K35 1985
- The Library of Congress Performing Arts EncyclopediaA guide to performing arts resources at the Library of Congress (not all are available online).
Digitized scores, sheet music, audio recordings, films, photographs, and other materials; special Web presentations on topics and collections; articles and biographical essays; finding aids to collections; databases for performing arts resources; information on concerts at the Library; and a special Performing Arts Resource Guide which contains entries for hundreds of Library collections, Web sites, databases and exhibits.
Direct link to available subjects in Performing Arts Encyclopedia.
- The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians byCall Number: 3rd Floor ML100 .N48Publication Date: 1980
- Women in Music TimelineThis timeline from Oxford Music Online focuses on Western music and ranges from 810 - 2000 CE.
Pop/Rock Music
- Encyclopedia of Country Music, 2012Also available in print: ML102.C7 E54 2012
- Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music, ML102.P66 G84 1992
- Historical Dictionary of Popular MusicRef ML102.P66 A25 2017
- Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & RollML3534 .R64 1992
Jazz/Blues
- New Grove Dictionary of JazzRef ML102 .J3 N48 2002
Opera
- New Grove Dictionary of OperaRef ML102 .O6 N5 1992
- New Kobbe's Opera BookMT95 .K52 1997
Musical Theater
- Encyclopedia of the Musical TheatreML102 .M88 G3 1994
Instruments
- New Grove Dictionary of Musical InstrumentsRef ML102 .I5 N48 1984
- Oxford Companion to Musical InstrumentsML102 .I5 B34 1992
World Music
- Garland Encyclopedia of World MusicRef ML100 .G16 1998
- The Library of Congress Performing Arts Reading RoomA guide to performing arts resources at the Library of Congress (not all are available online).
Select a Subject to search on that topic, or switch to a "Person" or a "Title" browse for more options.
Bibliographies
- Norton/Grove Dictionary of Women Composers, Ref ML105 .N67 1995
Plan Your Research
Not sure how long it will take you to complete an assignment? Want to make sure that you're not stuck at the last minute?
The Assignment Calculator can help you plan your work. Don't forget to email yourself the schedule, or print it - both options are at the bottom of the page.