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Photo of Civil War-era snare drum with sling and eagle depiction painted on the drum.

A Bugle, a Drum, and the Joy of Discovery

Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres

Former Stanford University Liljenquist Fellow Ben Limric discusses his experience creating two StoryMaps for the Music Division. The StoryMaps are interactive digital webpages that share the stories of several Civil War instruments and the soldiers they belonged too. The instruments were generously donated to the Library by James Madison Council member Tom Liljenquist and provide insights into the life of Union musicians during the Civil War.

Photo of Stephen Sondheim seated on couch next to his large poodle named Max.

Thank You for the Music

Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres

University of Kentucky MSLS graduate Jay Stringer-Vaught describes their time researching in the Music Division's collections as part of an Alternative Spring Break Program. Stringer-Vaught describes the "extraordinary" experience of seeing some of Stephen Sondheim's papers—recently acquired by the Library—up close. 

Portrait photo of composer Brigitta Muntendorf seated on stool

New Music Weekend at the Library of Congress

Posted by: David Plylar

As our 100th season enters its last few weeks, we are excited to invite you to a new music weekend, with an enticing pair of concerts featuring new and recently composed music. First, on Friday, May 30 at 8 p.m., loadbang will join us for a concert that will feature three Library of Congress commissions. …

Sheet music cover for "On Patrol in No Man's Land" features a black and white photograph of James Reese Europe posing with his Hellfighters band in military uniform, with an additional portrait of James Reese Europe featured below the ensemble.

New Research Guide: James Reese Europe Resources at the Library of Congress

Posted by: Cait Miller

The Music Division’s newest research guide, James Reese Europe: A Guide to Resources at the Library of Congress, provides a gateway to accessing historic sheet music, unique literary manuscripts, newspaper archives, recordings, photographs and scholarly research by and related to leading cultural figure James Reese Europe (1881-1919).

Image of Stradivari viola laying on velvet cloth on a table

A Second Stradivari Viola Finds a Home at the Library of Congress

Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres

The Library of Congress Music Division announces in the acquisition of the 1690 Tuscan-Medici viola made by Antonio Stradivari. Now rechristened Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, 1690, viola, Fulton, ex Baird, Tuscan-Medici, the acquisition was made possible through an extraordinary gift to the nation from David and Amy Fulton and the Baird family’s Tuscan Corporation. Learn about this historic addition to the Library's instrument collection.