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Posted by: Libby Smigel
A fitting blog post for the forthcoming Independence Day celebrations on July 4th, Morgen Stevens-Garmon, senior music archivist in the Library of Congress Music Division, reminisces about a favorite Broadway show, "1776," and other musicals set during the American Revolution.
Posted in: American history, Guest bloggers, Holidays, Musical Theater, New finding aid, Special Collections, Uncategorized
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.
Posted in: Composers, Guest bloggers, Musical Theater
Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres
In commemoration of the Library's acquisition of the Stephen Sondheim Collection, Senior Music Specialist Mark Eden Horowitz reflects on the work and legacy of Stephen Sondheim.
Posted in: American history, Composers, Curators, LGBTQ+, Musical Theater, Musicians, New Acquisitions, Special Collections, Webcasts
Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres
Curator of the George and Ira Gershwin Collection Ray White discusses the origins of the Gershwins' "Porgy and Bess" in commemoration of the work's 90th anniversary. The Library and Washington National Opera present a concert and panel discussion to celebrate the anniversary on Wednesday, April 23 at 6:00 p.m. in the Coolidge Auditorium.
Posted in: African American History, American history, Composers, Concerts and Events, Curators, Musical Theater, Special Collections, Staff
Posted by: Cait Miller
Learn more about guidelines for transcribing sheet music collections as part of the By the People crowdsourced transcription campaign at the Library of Congress. Volunteers are needed to complete review of our "Sheet Music of the Musical Theater" transcription campaign in order to make the digital collection keyword searchable.
Posted in: By the People transcription campaigns, Musical Theater, Sheet Music
Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres
Discover how manuscripts from the Music Division's Jonathan Larson Collection have shaped the creation of "The Jonathan Larson Project," now running off-Broadway in New York. Senior Music Specialist Mark Eden Horowitz discusses how show creator Jennifer Ashley Tepper's research in the collection led to the creation of this new show that brings to the songs that did not make the final cut for some of Larson's major projects.
Posted in: Composers, Musical Theater, Theater
Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres
Learn about new collection finding aids that have been published by the Library's Music Division. These finding aids provide bibliographic access to the Milton Ager Music Manuscripts, Marvin Hamlisch Papers, Arthur Mendel Correspondence with Igor Stravinsky and Others, Trude Rittmann Papers, William Schuman Music Manuscripts, Robert Wright and George Forrest Papers and more.
Posted in: Arrangers, Composers, Curators, Guest bloggers, Jewish American History, Musical Theater, Musicians, New finding aid, Special Collections, Theater, Women in Music
Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres
While every week at the Library offers something exciting for visitors, researchers and staff, there are certain occasions (like this week) when there is a confluence of musical activity that should perk up everyone's ears. Three major events will grace the Coolidge Auditorium stage, featuring a Broadway and film star, a stellar vocal group that features graduates of the Thomanerchor in Leipzig (that's the chorus that J.S. Bach led at Thomaskirche) and a blockbuster evening of chamber music with the Belcea and Ébène Quartets. Attendees of each event will have a unique chance to see items from the Music Division's collections.
Posted in: African American History, Composers, Concerts and Events, Instrumentalists, Musical Theater, Musicians, Special Collections, Theater
Posted by: Libby Smigel
Film music and musical theater buffs can now explore the scores and papers of composer-arranger Marvin Hamlisch in the Library of Congress Performing Arts Reading Room. Archivist Janet McKinney describes the range of materials, which include photographs, programs, scrapbooks, staging lists, and even Hamlisch's entertainment trophies.
Posted in: Composers, Conductors, Film Music, Guest bloggers, Musical Theater, New finding aid