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Musical Theatre

Scout

Searching for Scores and Recordings in Scout

More Search Tips

Formatting Names:

  • Use full names for composers with common surnames 
  • Use standard English-language spellings (e.g., "Rachmaninoff" instead of "Rachmaninov")
  • Avoid abbreviating names (e.g., J. S. Bach)

Searching for Vocal Music:

  • To specify vocal range in your search, indicate high, medium, or low voice 
High voice Medium voice Low voice
Soprano Mezzo Soprano Alto
Tenor Baritone Bass
  • You can add vocal range to some subject headings, like "Songs (High voice)" OR you can simply search "high voice" as a keyword

screenshot of advanced search, showing subject heading search for "songs (high voice)"

Keys:

  • Avoid using keys in your search terms (such as "C" or "G minor")

Finding recordings by format:

  • For CDs, add a keyword search for "compact" or "CD"
  • For LPs, add a keyword search for "LP"
  • For streaming media, add a keyword search for "electronic"

Digital Scores

Browsing Musical Theatre Materials by Call Number

M Music Scores
M1500 Full scores of operas and musicals
M1503 Vocal scores of operas and musicals
M1507 Anthologies from opera and musical theatre (some vocal selections)
M1508 Vocal selections from musicals and operas
ML Literature on Music
ML47-54.8 Librettos. Texts. Scenarios.

Finding Librettos in Scout

When searching in Scout, "libretto" or "librettos" can be used as a search term. You can also check the "Subjects" listed under each item on the search results page to see if the item is classified as a libretto.

Item from Scout search with a circle around text that reads "Subjects: Musicals -- Librettos."

Musical Theatre Songs