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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.

Medieval manuscript fragment on parchment with Latin text in brown and red links and early musical notation<br />

​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.

Light brown page with hand-written lettering and some staining

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

Rare Books

Thick book with an engraved wooden cover and exposed binding

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.

Magazine cover with large type in white and red and a partial headshot of singer Madonna.

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.

Orange theater program with drawing of Black woman in chair and holding a cigarette in left hand with two large eyes underneath

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

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.

Comic panel of Alley Oop being given an activity schedule

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

Music Magazines, 1988-2003

Magazine cover with image of bass player Geddy Lee over white background.

Introduction Music journalism found significance in the 1960s, following the Beatles’ mainstream success. One of the first popular music magazines was...

Music Magazines, Samir Husni Collection

Magazine cover with two guitars and an amp, and bold font.

The Music Magazines presented in this exhibit highlight the influence these magazines had on establishing the social and cultural identities...

Selected Items

Michael

Magazine cover with images of Michael Jackson.

Black Beat Superstar Special #9

This issue of Black Beat Superstar Special (#9), titled Michael, was published in 1993 by the Sterling/Macfadden…

Batanga

Magazine cover with bold type and an image of singer Ricky Martin.

Issue #6 ISSN: 1545-0007

Processional

Contents: Music, Contains processions for St. Mark's Day, Rogation Days.

Revolution

Magazine cover with large type in white and red and a partial headshot of singer Madonna.

“Revolution” was a magazine published monthly by Imagine Media, Inc. focusing on dance and electronic music from 1999 to 2001.

Processional : (for the use of the Dominican sisters of St. Louis, Poissy).

168 leaves : parchment, ink, illuminations ; 160 mm x 105 mm

A specimen of printing types / by W. Caslon and Son, letterfounder, London.

Includes fonts in Hebrew, Gothic, Coptic, Etruscan, Arabic, etc., music and printer flowers.

Digital Musician: A Complete Guide for Mac and PC

Magazine page with a blue background, text, and images of early internet browsers.

Digital Musician: A Complete Guide for Mac and PC is a special computer and music production guide published around 2000, designed to help independent…

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