Music Scores
Most scores can be found on the 6th floor of Milner Library. Search the library catalog to find out what scores are in the collection.
Scores in Milner Library are cataloged using the Library of Congress classification system. You can browse the following sections of call numbers on the shelf to find scores with particular instrumentation.
| Call Number Range | Subject |
| M 452 | String quartets |
| M 857.4 | Horn octets |
| M 1001 | Symphonies |
| M 1033 |
Trombone concertos (piano reduction) |
| M 1503 | Operas (piano/vocal) |
Interested in how long you can check out scores? View the list of loan periods Milner resources.
Look at our Understanding Call Numbers guide for more information.
Finding Music Scores
To find music scores, start with the Milner Library catalog advanced search.
- Change Everything to Library Catalog under Search for.
- Enter the composer's name in one box and select Author/Creator from the Keyword dropdown next to that box.
- Enter the type of music or specific name of a piece of music in the next box and leave the dropdown next to it set to Keyword.
- Change Material Type to Scores.
- Choose Search.
Finding Songs in Anthologies
To find individual songs, start with the Milner Library catalog advanced search.
- Change Everything to Library Catalog under Search for.
- Enter the name of the song in the search box, leave the first dropdown on Keyword, and change the second dropdown to contains exact phrase.
- Select Scores from the Material Type dropdown.
- Choose Search.
- In your search results list, you will usually find anthologies or collections of songs. To make sure that the song you need is in an anthology, select the title of the anthology and choose Details on the left or scroll down to view the Details section, and look for the song title next to Contents.
Catalogs
- Milner Library CatalogThis is the first place you'll look for a score. This catalog searches the collection here at Milner.
- I-Share CatalogCouldn't find what you wanted in Milner's catalog? Use the I-Share catalog to find scores in other Illinois libraries. You'll need to set up your I-Share account to request scores through I-Share (ask a librarian if you have questions about this). You can check out scores from I-Share for four weeks, with the potential to renew three times.
- WorldcatCatalog that lets you search for and borrow music materials from libraries around the world. Use this catalog if you can't find the item you need in the Milner or I-Share catalogs.
Online Scores
- NkodaSearchable, curated collections of music scores and sheet music. Users are required to create a personal account either via the website or the nkoda mobile app. Choose the 'Login with your institution' option. It is recommended you use your ISU email address. Consult this FAQ for mobile device instructions.
Read more about nkoda.
Subject Headings
To find a score with a particular instrumentation, search the library's catalog by subject (not just keyword). This strategy will help you find more relevant scores more quickly!
Some subject headings to search for in music are:
Piano music (4 hands) - Scores
Choruses, Secular (Mixed voices) with orchestra - Scores
Trumpet and piano music - Scores
Searching Tips
1. Put quotation marks around multiple words to search them as a phrase. Example: "musical palindromes"
2. Replace the end of a word with an asterisk * to find multiple versions of the word in one search. Example: symph* will show results for symphonies, symphony, symphonic
3. If you see the "Find It" button, click on it. It will show you if we have the full text to an article, or let you request it through interlibrary loan if Milner doesn't have it.