Score Call Numbers in the Music Library: Reading Dickinson Call Numbers
On the shelves
Within each class number, compilations by multiple composers are shelved first, then alphabetically by composer, then alphabetically by work title or opus/serial number. This page gives detailed information about complete call numbers that identify one specific item on the shelf.
Tip: If you have a call number and are looking on the shelves, use the first three lines to find the composer, then look at titles. Titles are printed on score spines or are visible on the covers.
M call number, line by line
First line - M
Second line - class number
Third line - composer OR A3 for collections
Fourth line - title, opus number, work number, or a2 or a3 for collections
Fifth line - publisher or editor
Examples
| Complete string quartets and Grosse Fuge … | |
| M | M, Music |
| 52 | 52, Chamber music, string instruments |
| B39-4 | B39, Beethoven (composer); -4, four instruments |
| a2 | a2, everything Beethoven wrote for string quartet |
| Do | Do, Dover (publisher) |
| Favorite Spanish Art Songs / edited by Richard Walters | |
| M | M, Music |
| 71 | 71, voice with piano |
| A3 W171 | A3, compilation; W171, Walters (editor) |
| fa | fa, Favorite (title of collection) |
| H-2 | H, Hal Leonard (publisher); -2 high voice edition |
| Tosca | |
| M | M, Music |
| 91 | 91, Opera |
| P96 | P96, Puccini (composer) |
| to | to, Tosca (title) |
| D | Do, Dover (publisher) |
| Tosca | |
| M | M, Music |
| 91=01 | 91, Opera; =01, accompaniment arranged for piano [vocal score] |
| P96 | P96, Puccini (composer) |
| to | to, Tosca (title) |
| P | P, Parker (editor) |
Symbols and common marks used
= Equals signs indicate that the musical work was arranged for a different instrumentation than the original version. The original medium is on the left; the arrangement is indicated on the right
M23=66 Originally for cello and piano, arranged for cello and orchestra. This would be shelved in between M23 and M230.
M11=21 Originally for piano, arranged for violin and piano. This would be shelved in between M11 and M12.
[ ] Square brackets are used for regional or denominational divisions
( ) Parentheses around a number on the fourth line (works) indicate opus, serial, or work numbers
/ Slashes on the fourth line (works) indicate excerpts
M91 W12 m/v Vorspiel, Meistersinger (Wagner)
M933 F62 r/a3 Selections (a3) from Ragtime (Flaherty)
-2, -3, -4 on the last line of vocal compilations, versions for high voice (-2), medium voice (-3), low voice (-4)
A3 after the class number is used for a collection by multiple composers. If there is an editor of the compilation, there will be letters/numbers on the same line next to the A3.
a2 on the third line means the complete works by one composer for a particular instrument/medium
a3 on the third line means selected (only some) works by one composer for a particular instrument/medium
