Music Collection

The Music Collection at the University of Alberta includes large collections of scores, recordings, books and journals and the department is home to the Canadian Centre for Ethnomusicology and Sound Studies Institute that, in partnership with the Smithsonian Institute, houses the unique Folkways Records collection and provides a hub for world music study and cultural research.

Our Music Collection includes:

  • Over 50,000 sound recordings (physical and streaming)
  • Over 1,000 videos (physical and streaming)
  • More than 60,000 volumes of printed music, plus digital scores from Music Online Classical Scores Library and nkoda Digital Sheet Music
  • Over 50,000 books about music
  • 440 printed journal titles, with over 12,000 individual issues; many of these titles are also available in full text online, along with numerous additional titles that we provide only online

The physical collection is housed in several locations:

Need help?

UAlberta Music Librarian Lucinda Johnston provides personalized help with music research and provides in-class instruction in accessing or working with music resources.

  • Visit the Library Website for information on library spaces, services, and collections
  • Check out the Music Subject guide which contains tips for starting research in music, finding repertoire for your instrument, and links to key sources of information
  • Visit the library service desk in person on the first floor of Rutherford North
  • Use the AskUs! drop-down menu
  • Book a consultation, or drop by during office hours
  • Recommend resources to purchase

Listening & Viewing Facilities:

  • Individual listening and viewing stations are available on the main floor of Rutherford North
  • Headphones are required, and you must bring your own.
  • Two rooms in Rutherford North (2-109A and 4-101) are equipped with monitors to provide space for group listening, viewing, and study. Laptops can be connected to the monitors with an HDMI cable, or wirelessly using Kramer Via Connect. Book study space here, subject to availability.