Music Library

Please note that the library is currently offering online services only. Our operating status will be reassessed as conditions change around COVID-19. Patrons in need of assistance from the Music Library should contact Amanda Steadman (ajstead@american.edu). Thank you for your flexibility during this time.

Learn more about changes to Library services and policies.

The Music Library houses library collections supporting the coursework of AU academic programs in music and the performing arts. The collections represent a broad spectrum of subjects, periods, and styles, including classical music, musical theatre, jazz, blues, world music, and popular music. Some highlights include:

Headphone Icon: Streaming audio/video databases
Access to streaming databases that include classical, jazz, musical theatre, and world music for both audio and film.
Musical Note: Historic Sheet music
Over 12,000 scores are in our collection. This includes more than two hundred digitized items from our historical sheet music collection.
Disc Icon: CD collections
Over 10,000 CDs from a variety of genres including AU-related, Blues, Jazz, Opera, Rock, and more!
Film Icon: DVD collections
This includes Films & Movies relating to music from genres such as Classical, Opera, World, Musical Theatre, etc.

In addition to the highlighted holdings we also have rare musical theatre recordings on vinyl, selected reference works including collected works by major composers, and reserves for Department of Performing Arts courses.

Subject Guides

AU Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni: Want to spread your love of music from the comfort and safety of your own home? Upload a video of you performing with the hashtag #SoundbitesfromHome and tag @AULibrary We will repost our favorite performances!