New Music Databases

The library added 10 new music databases this week! These databases contain streaming music files, videos, scores, discographies, and musician biographies, as well as more traditional reference materials. They cover a variety of genres from throughout time and around the world, from medieval motets and early american folk music to jazz and hip-hop. There are also databases specifically devoted to dance and opera. Basically, no matter your musical tastes or academic interest, you can find something in these new databases.

One of the most interesting new databases to me is Smithsonian Global Sound for Libraries. This database contains streaming music from the Smithsonian's Folkways Recordings, which collects diverse, traditional musical forms from around the world. It also contains music from archives in Africa and Asia.

Music students and faculty will probably find a lot to use in the Classical Scores Library. This database contains over 45,000 scores. They include everything from individual instrumental parts to full orchestral arrangements. They are presented in an easy-to read format and can be printed.

Dance for Art!

What would life be like without art?  We would dress without style, simply utilitarian in purpose.   What would our houses look like?  They would be drab without color or architectural interest.  We’d have no need for ornamentation or decorations.  What would we do to entertain ourselves?  We’d have no music, no paintings, no sculptures, and no dancing.  We wouldn't have concerts halls or concerts in the park.  What kind of books would we have?  Would we have only manuals and documentation?  We’d have no poems, short stories, or novels.  Our lives would be devoid of so many things that enrich our lives. 
Obviously this little girl feels the impact of art in her life!

When I found this picture of this little girl dancing in front of Irish painter, John Lavery’s (1856-1941), painting of ballerina, Anna Pavlova, I was moved.   I know that I have felt exactly the same way when viewing a particularly expressive painting, but I’ve never been brave enough to show it. To see images of other painting by John Lavery or other artists, go to Tarleton’s database Oxford Art Online.

So today let’s all dance for art!