Music Department Collection Development Policy


General Purpose And Scope

The James G. Gee Library collection of music materials supports the curriculum and research needs of undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty in the Music Department. This also includes non-majors taking music classes as electives. Gee Library also acts as community-based library and resources in the music related collections may also be used by the general public.

Texas A&M at Commerce Music Program
The undergraduate program in Music includes courses in music theory, music literature, and music history in Western Music. Requirements in performance, musicianship, and a Capstone are also included. Additional courses are offered in music technology, conducting, pedagogy, and other specialized topics. Depending upon the degree, the student is prepared for a career as a professional musician or as a music teacher.

The following programs in music are offered:
Major in Music

  • All-Level Teacher Certification-emphasis can be keyboard, vocal, or instrumental
  • Secondary Teacher Certification-emphasis can be keyboard, vocal, or instrumental
  • Secondary Teaching Field in Music
  • Bachelor of Music Degree with a Major in Music Performance – emphasis in Piano Pedagogy, Piano Performance, Voice, or Instrumental
  • Bachelor of Arts or Science Degree

Minor in Music

  • Music as a second teaching field
  • Non-teaching minor

The graduate program is constructed to help students develop a high degree of skills and abilities in the fields of performance, theory or composition, music literature, or music education.

 

The scope of the music collection is in Western music history from antiquity to present; performance practices; vocal and instrumental repertory; music theory, analysis, and composition; music technology; music literature; choral and instrumental conducting; orchestration; and pedagogy.

The music program is accredited by The National Association of Schools of Music: http://nasm.arts-accredit.org/index.jsp
The Teacher Education Programs in Music is accredited by the State Board for Educator Certification.

General Subject Boundaries
The collection process primarily focuses on the varied aspects of an undergraduate and graduate music curriculum. This includes the full variety of music topics as indicated in the “General Purpose and Scope” section of the Music Area policy. Audio recordings are also an important aspect of this emphasis.

LC Classification
Description
Level of Collection
M1-M0004 Music: Collections, Manuscripts 1
M0005-M1490 Instrumental Music, Music before 1700 0
M1495-M5000 Vocal Music 0
ML-ML9999 Literature of Music 3
MT1-MT9999 Music Instruction & Study 3

Priorities:

  • Requested materials related to curriculum and research needs.
  • Western music
  • Significant repertoire in all genre that directly support curriculum and research needs.
  • Reference materials supporting curriculum and research in electronic and print formats
  • All other genre upon request.

Exceptions

  • Scores for ensemble works are not collected as the Department purchases or rents scores needed for performances.
  • Any format not supported by current Gee Library technology

Deselection
Items are generally deselected when they become so shop-worn that they are not usable. Replacements may be sought depending upon usage, availability, and cost. Scholarly works in music will not be deselected based solely upon publication date as music research generally does not become outdated.

Languages
Vocal scores will be acquired in the original language when applicable. Some scholarly works are not available in English, and will be acquired as needed depending upon availability and funds.


Geographical Coverage
No restrictions with emphasis in the Western music tradition in classical and popular genre.

Types of Materials

  1. A. Scores/Performance Materials (including solo/chamber music) is acquired to support the study of performance practices. Scores for ensembles, orchestral, dramatic music are acquired primarily in study score form. Conducting scores are not acquired. Performance parts are not acquired.
  2. B. Facsimile Editions are not widely collected, but will be acquired as needed to support research, and as funds are available.

Period Coverage
No restriction as music courses cover all periods of music history, literature, and performance practices with no emphasis on one historical period.

Date of Publication
No restrictions. An emphasis is placed on the acquisition of current publications/issues of monographs, scores, serials, and recordings. Some retrospective acquisition of materials may be necessary to fill gaps or replace lost/damaged items. In this case, older materials may be needed. Also, older editions of research, scores, and sound recordings may be needed to facilitate the study of performance practices.

Special Collections and Manuscripts
Recital/Concert tapes are acquired as they are donated to the collection by students and faculty.

General Sound Recordings Guidelines
The sound recordings collection consists of various formats: LPs , CDs, and cassette.

The purpose of the recordings collection is to be a non-circulating reference collection that directly supports curriculum and research needs. Recordings may circulate to faculty members only.

All duplications are avoided unless research requires multiple recordings of the same work performed by different musicians, ensembles, or conductors.

Recordings Formats

  1. Compact discs-the medium of choice for recent issues
  2. LPs-only when recording is not available on CD
  3. Cassettes-only when recordings is not available on CD
  4. 78s-not acquired for lack of adequate supporting technology


Bibliography
Duckles, Vincent and Ida Reed. Music reference and research materials: An annotated bibliography. 5th ed., Belmont, CA: Wadworth/Thompson Learning, 1997.

Creation Date
06/12/2003

Revision History
Created 1/10//2005

Subject Librarian
Craig Wheeler, Humanities Reference Librarian
Email:Craig_Wheeler@tamu-commerce.edu

 

Level of collection definitions

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