Concerts from the Library of Congress launches an exciting, yearlong America 250 celebration this January, presenting a broad panorama of the nation’s music in concerts and conversations, lectures, film screenings, educational programs and more.
Ed Zanders, a British composer and musical director based in London, shares some of his discoveries of Sondheim's creative process, found amongst the Stephen Sondheim Papers held by the Library of Congress Music Division. The finding aid to the newly acquired Stephen Sondheim Papers is now available online, and a small set of materials from the collection is on display in the Performing Arts Reading Room.
Doctoral candidate Ellen Sauer describes the role of patriotic music and song, such as “La Marseillaise,” during the French Revolution. See samples of art and music used to illustrate the essay.
Music Reference Specialist Morgan Davis recaps a lecture delivered by Dr. I Augustus Durham at the Library on June 5, 2025. His lecture, entitled “Marvin Gaye: Melancholy and Genius in Black Culture and Media,” explored the influence of creators such as George and Ira Gershwin, Marian Anderson and Mahalia Jackson, on music from the crime thriller “Trouble Man” scored by Marvin Gaye. This blog includes the video of the lecture.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
