Call numbers are a way of grouping like items together on the shelves.

Music Books

ML102: Dictionaries (in Reference) to do with songs are at ML102 letter “S”; and those for vocal music are at ML102 letter “V”.

ML48 and ML49 (in Reference): operatic texts

ML54.6 (in Reference): song texts

ML128: Bibliographies of song are at ML128 letter “S”; those on vocal music generally are at ML128 letter “V”; and choral music resources are at ML128 letter “C”.

Books (non-reference) about opera begin at ML1700. This is for general works about opera; the sequence then subdivides by country, so, for example, ML1733 is for French opera.

Books (non-reference) about songs begin at ML2800.

Music Scores

The Music and Performing Arts Library arranges its scores in two different classification sequences. Those arranged according to the Dewey Decimal Classification use just numbers, between 780 and 789; and those arranged in Library of Congress Classification can be found under letter M, followed by a number (usually four figures, in the case of vocal music). For example:

In Dewey, you will find:

Songs at 784.3, then alphabetically by composer. Books about songs will be found at around the same number in the Dewey sequence.

Opera vocal scores at 782.1, then alphabetically by composer

Oratorio vocal scores at 783.3 (this number also includes some Masses and Requiems)

Anthems and motets are at 783.4, then alphabetically by composer

In Library of Congress Classification, you will find:

Opera vocal scores at M1503, then alphabetically by composer

Masses at M2010/2011 (including Requiems)

Songs at M1613 upwards; song cycles are at M1621.4

Musicals in vocal score are at M1508

Motets at M2020

Cantatas, oratorios etc. at M2023, then alphabetically by composer