Collection description by Gail E. Lowther, winter 2016

Please contact the Special Collections department for further information.

I.  Description of the collection

II. Description of series

III. Inventory

  • Sub-group II: thematic arrangement around specific subjects

Description and Scope
The U.S. Sheet Music Collection contains more than 100,000 pieces of sheet music published in the United States dating from the late 18th century to the early 20th century. The items represent a wide variety of musical literature, including art song, parlor song, folk song, and popular song, as well as numerous genres of instrumental compositions. This material presents a significant perspective on American history and culture, reflecting the many interests, attitudes, and musical tastes of each era. Of particular interest is the series of local imprints, which includes an extensive sequence of sheet music published in Rochester, NY, and Buffalo, NY, as well as several imprints from publishers across western New York and eastern Pennsylvania. These items are a unique and invaluable source of information about publishing in upstate New York.

Provenance
The collection is comprised of items that the Sibley Music Library has acquired over an extended period of time from various sources. Acquisitions range from gifts of single items to substantial collections given to the library by different donors.

Restrictions and Use
There are no restrictions on use of the collection. The provisions of the United States Copyright Law (1976) and its revisions apply in each instance of reproduction and performance. For all items published in 1923 or later, obtaining copyright clearance is a necessary prerequisite before requests for reproductions will be granted.

Associations
The Charlotte Stafford Collection (SC1995.15) and Burke Sheet Music Collection (SC1995.16) contain popular sheet music, both vocal and instrumental, the bulk dating from the early 20th century. The World War II Sheet Music Collection (SC1995.7) consists of over 500 items of popular sheet music published during the years of World War II relating to the war or general patriotism. The Sam Forman Dance Orchestra Collection (SC1999.2) contains full and partial sets of performance parts for nearly 200 popular compositions, the bulk of either French or Spanish origin, published between 1910 and 1960. Certain other collections also contain significant amounts of sheet music published in the U.S. The Robert Schwartz Collection contains exclusively popular sheet music titles from the 20th century, the bulk dating from the 1960s and 1970s. The E. Maude Wilson Collection (SC1996.14) contains late 19th- and early 20th-century music for piano solo and piano four-hands. The Carl Dengler Collection contains many sheet music imprints, both in their original published manifestations and in manuscript from arranged specifically for ensemble (dance band) performance. There is also a separate series of music composed by Irving Berlin, but at the time of this writing, this music has not been processed. In addition, the Ruth T. Watanabe Special Collections department holds an extensive collection of European imprints, the bulk of which consists of music published in the U.K., Germany, and France. At the time of this writing, this collection has not yet been processed.

Description of Series
So as to address the growing body of sheet music received by the Sibley Music Library over a long period of time, SML personnel established the given arrangement in the 1960s or 1970s and arranged the music accordingly. The collection at large is subdivided into three broad sub-groups, each of which is in turn subdivided into various series as outlined below. Inevitably, there is some overlap of musical literature among the three sub-groups. To peruse the titles within any given series or sub-series, simply double-click on the .PDF indicated.

Sub-group I: Chronological arrangement
Sub-group II:
Thematic arrangement
Sub-group III:
Popular music

Sub-group I

Sub-group I is subdivided chronologically into five series of sheet music:

Sub-group I, Series 1 consists of pre-1801 imprints, arranged in a sequence according to the page numbers found in Oscar Sonneck’s A Bibliography of Early Secular American Music (New York: Da Capo Press, 1964).

Sub-group I, Series 2 contains imprints dating from 1801-1825, arranged in a sequence according to the entry numbers in Richard J. Wolfe’s Secular Music in America, 1801-1825 (New York: New York Public Library, 1964).

Series 3 contains imprints dating from 1826-1860, divided into instrumental and vocal sub-series.

Sub-group I, Series 3, sub-series A includes titles scored exclusively for instrumental performance, arranged alphabetically by the surname of the known composer or arranger.

Sub-group I, Series 3, sub-series B includes titles scored for solo voice with instrumental accompaniment or vocal ensemble, arranged alphabetically by the surname of the known composer or arranger.

Series 4 contains imprints dating from 1861-1890 and, as with Series 3, is divided into instrumental and vocal sub-series.

Sub-group I, Series 4, sub-series A includes titles scored exclusively for instrumental performance, arranged alphabetically by the surname of the known composer or arranger.

Sub-group I, Series 4, sub-series B includes titles scored for solo voice with instrumental accompaniment or vocal ensemble, arranged alphabetically by the surname of the known composer or arranger.

Series 5 contains imprints dating from after 1891 and, as with Series 3 and Series 4, is divided into instrumental and vocal sub-series.

Sub-group I, Series 5, sub-series A includes titles scored exclusively for instrumental performance, arranged alphabetically by the surname of the known composer or arranger.

Sub-group I, Series 5, sub-series B includes titles scored for solo voice with instrumental accompaniment or vocal ensemble, arranged alphabetically by the surname of the known composer or arranger.

Sub-group II

Sub-group II is organized thematically by several designated special subjects. The subject categories include patriotic music; music associated with presidents, national figures, and wars (e.g., Civil War, WWI); music associated with specific persons and personal names (e.g., Jenny Lind, Charles Lindbergh); corporate associations, such as colleges, fraternal orders, and other groups or clubs; music associated with places, principally U.S. states and cities; music for or associated with specific events (e.g., U.S. centennial, Great Exhibition);  local imprints, including music published in or associated with Rochester, NY, Buffalo, NY, and other localities in western New York and eastern Pennsylvania; and music on special topics (e.g., abolition, prohibition).

It should be noted that additional items associated with these subject categories may be found in Sub-group I and Sub-group III.

Sub-group III

Sub-group III consists exclusively of music of a more consciously popular vein, including popular dance forms; selections from operettas, musical stage plays, and motion pictures; and songs composed on prevalent topical themes (e.g., social movements and trends).

The division between items included in Sub-group I and the popular sheet music categorized in Sub-group III is somewhat indistinct, and it should be noted that some items in Sub-group III are also included in Sub-group I. As with several of the series from Sub-group I, this sub-group is divided into instrumental and vocal imprints.

Sub-group III, Series 1 includes titles scored exclusively for instrumental performance. The items are arranged alphabetically by title.

Sub-group III, Series 2 includes titles scored for solo voice with instrumental accompaniment or vocal ensemble. The items are arranged alphabetically by title.