How to Use this Guide
This research guide helps you search and browse for books and scores for your main instrument (listed on list on the left)
Each page for your individual instrument starts with the Library of Congress classification system for books and scores relevant to each instrument, allowing you to browse the shelves of the library.
- The classification system uses call numbers to place items on a physical shelf, and items are also given multiple subject headings, a controlled language that describes the contents of items.
- For printed music, each call number describes a musical genre or performing ensemble, which is then organized alphabetically by the composer's last name.
- Subject headings are used for searching in catalogs and databases, while call numbers are useful for finding materials and browsing physical shelves.
The Performing Arts Collection can be found on the Second Floor of Campbell Library.
- Here, you will find all of the scores, CDs, and most of the reference books (encyclopedias, special music dictionaries, catalogs, and introductory research books), and some of the books on music education and performance.
- The Performing Arts Collections houses all of the items with call numbers starting with just the letter M, all of the scores and most of the books starting with MT, and some books starting with ML.
Please note: As of January 2025 Campbell Library is currently closed for renovations. Please see the renovation website for information on library services.
(Sub-pages under each tab also offer selected primary and secondary source bibliographies.)
Call Numbers for Organ Music
Use these call numbers to browse for music for your instrument!
| M6–M14 | Organ alone: |
| M6 | Collections, mixed (original works and arrangements; more than one composer) |
| M7 | General collections (one composer) |
| M8 | Sonatas |
| M8.5 | Symphonies |
| M9 | Suites, Variations, and Cyclical Works |
| M10 | Fugues (with or without preludes) |
| M11 | Pieces |
| M11.2 | Pedal pieces |
| M12 | Arrangements: collections |
| M13 | Arrangements: separate works |
| M14 | Books (accompaniments to collections of psalms and hymns) |
| M14.3-.5 | Liturgical music (special seasons and occasions) |
| M14.8 | Electronic Organ music |
| M180-186 | Duets |
| M180-181 | One or more organs, two or more players |
| M182-186 | Organ and one other instrument |
| M300–M304 | Trios, organ and two other instruments |
| M400–M404 | Quartets, organ and three other instruments |
Quartets, quintets, sextets, septets, octets, and nonets follow similar patterns (in the M400s, 500s, 600s, 700s, 800s, and 900s, respectively).For more details, see the full classification schedule.
Concertos and similar pieces:
| M1005 | Organ with orchestra, full scores |
| M1005.5 | Cadenzas for such works |
| M1006 | Organ with orchestra, piano reductions |
| M1108 | Organ with string orchestra, full scores |
| M1108.5 | Cadenzas for such works |
| M1109 | Organ with string orchestra, piano reductions |
Studies and methods:
| MT180 | General works |
| MT182 | Systems and methods; Studies and exercises |
| MT185 | General works: special techniques |
| MT187 | Special techniques: pedal |
| MT189 | Special techniques: registration |
| MT190 | Special techniques: accompaniment of liturgical music |
| MT193 | Teaching pieces; Instructive editions |
| MT198 | Self-instructors |
Subject Headings for Organ Music
These subject headings help you search our collections by precise genres and instrument combinations. Use these in advanced searches using subject headings in Library Search to see our holdings or WorldCat to see what is available through other libraries.
| Solo organ music: | organ music; sonatas (organ); suites (organ); fugues (organ); passacaglias (organ); etc. |
| Duets: | organ music (organs (2)); organ music (4 hands) |
| Organ with other instruments: | organ with orchestra; [instrument(s)] and organ music, e.g. trumpet and organ music; trios (organ, [instrument], [instrument]) e.g. trios (organ, trumpet, trombone); quartets (organ, [various combinations]); etc.
Similar for quintets, sextets, septets, octets, and nonets. |
Selected Bibliography
The Cambridge Companion to the Organ by
This Companion is an essential guide to all aspects of the organ and its music. It examines in turn the instrument, the player and the repertoire. The early chapters tell of the instrument's history and construction, identify the scientific basis of its sounds and the development of its pitch and tuning, examine the history of the organ case, and consider the current trends and conflicts within the world of organ building. Central chapters investigate the practical art of learning and playing the organ, introduce the complex area of performance practice, and outline the relationship between organ playing and the liturgy of the church. The final section explores the vast repertoire of organ music, focusing on a selection of the most important traditions.
Call Number: ML550 .C35 1998ISBN: 0521573092Publication Date: 1999-03-04
Guide to Organ Music by
This survey of organ literature is a guide for the organist seeking repertoire and for the listener looking for brief analyses of organ works encountered in recital or on record.
Call Number: PAC MT 140 L954R2 1989ISBN: 0931340101Publication Date: 1989-09-01
King of Instruments: a history of the organ by Call Number: ML550.S713 1985ISBN: 9780847805822Publication Date: 1985-04-15
Organists and Organ Playing in Nineteenth-Century France and Belgium by
An account of the rise of professional organists in France and Belgium in the 19th century. This period is significant not only as a slice of history but also because of its influence on organ playing in other countries to the present day.
Call Number: ML624 .O25 1994ISBN: 0253341612Publication Date: 1994-12-01- Organ literature: a comprehensive survey by Call Number: ML600.A76 1984 (v. 1-2) ; ML600.A752O7 19984 (v. 1)Publication Date: 1984
Call Numbers for Books about the Organ
| Ref. ML128 .O6 | Organ bibliographies |
| ML550 | General works |
| ML552-597 | Construction: general works; by time period; by region or country; individual instruments; special parts |
| ML600-649 | Music and playing: general works; by time period; by region or country; forms and types of music |
Selected Periodicals
Selected Websites
| American Guild of Organists | www.agohq.org |
| Organ Historical Society | https://organhistoricalsociety.org/ |