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Music

Special Collections has a considerable collection of music materials dating from the medieval period (c. 1100) to more modern times. Of particular strength are materials with early Church music, such as antiphonals, graduals, and liturgies; eighteenth- and nineteenth-centuries broadsides and ballads; and twentieth-century music magazines. Our closed collection contains modern American music, symphonies, librettos, operas, and other musical topics and genres.

How to Use the Collection

With a few exceptions, the collections can be accessed and requested through the library catalog (Search for “music special collections” and set “MU Ellis Special Collections” as library location filter). Finding aids for individual collections are linked on this website. Materials are available for use in the Special Collections Reading Room (room 401) during regular hours. Materials do not circulate. 

MU Library Catalog

 

Finding Aids for Music

Fragmenta Manuscripta Collection.

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​Fragmenta Manuscripta is a collection of over 200 manuscript leaves and fragments dating from the eighth to the seventeenth century. Originally…

Kenneth W. Leish Theatre Reviews, 1961-68

Biographical Note Kenneth W. Leish (Kenn.) was a freelance drama critic in New York City from 1961-1966 for Variety Magazine. Variety’s policy did…

Private Collection of Antiquarian Books and Manuscripts.

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The University Libraries and a private collector are partnering to make an extensive collection of medieval and early modern materials available to…

Rare Books

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The Rare Books Collection is the default designation for materials in Special Collections that are acquired as individual items. Like Special…

Samir Husni Magazine Collection.

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Biographical Sketch Samir "Mr. Magazine™" Husni, Ph.D., is a leading expert on print journalism and magazine industry consultant. Husni received his…

Theater Program Collection.

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Scope and Contents The majority of the programs are for performances dated from 1945 to the present in New York, London, Washington D.C., and St.…

University of Missouri Archives

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University Archives is the depository of official records of the University of Missouri as well as of the administrative records of the University of…

V. T. Hamlin Collections.

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Biographical Sketch Vincent Trout Hamlin was born May 10, 1900 in Perry, Iowa to Erma Garland and Frederick Clarence Hamlin. He enlisted in the Army…

Related Exhibits

Selected Items

Gradual

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Contents: Music

1776-1876, July 4th, City of New Haven, Centennial Celebration under direction of the Joint Special Committee of the City Council : for the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of American independence : programme.

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Contents: Fourth of July parade. General order of the Chief Marshal ; Order of procession ; Programme of fireworks -- Grand centennial concert :…

Missal.

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ff. 182 - Bound in a parchment leaf (see Part 2 of description) over boards. Paper - 210 x 155 mm - 15 long lines for most of the text; 11 long lines…

Antiphonal

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Contents: Contains material for services at Ascension and the vigil of Pentecost; Music: Neumes

[Breviary, St. Paul's Day].

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Parchment - 567 x 384 mm - 5 lines of text and music. Gothic liturgical script. Black square notation on 4-line red staves. Contains parts of the…

Missal

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Contents: Music: Blessing of Font.

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