Research Guides: Composition: Program Note Resources

Resources for writing program notes

Guides to writing about music often include suggestions for specific types of music-oriented writing, including how to write program notes. Indexes to, and compilations of, published program notes can serve as models for how to write program notes for your own compositions. Below are a few examples of these types of resources in the UO Music Collection, but there are many more on the shelves.

A Short Guide to Writing about Music by Jonathan D. Bellman
Call Number: ML3797 .B4 2007
Publication Date: 2006
Writing about Music: An Introductory Guide by Richard Wingell
Call Number: ML3797 .W54 2002
Publication Date: 2001
Schoenberg's Program Notes and Musical Analyses by J. Daniel Jenkins (Editor)
Call Number: ML410.S283 A2513 2016
Publication Date: 2016
Index to Symphonic Program Notes in Books by Anna Tipton Voorhees
Call Number: ML128 .O5V6
Publication Date: 1970
Program Notes for Band by Norman E. Smith
Call Number: MUSIC REF ML102.B35 S54 2000
Publication Date: 2000

Music and Dance Librarian

Ann Shaffer

She/Her/Hers

Email Me

Contact:

Pronouns: she/her/hers

I currently work on campus on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and work remotely on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. I am available for in-person research consultations on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and for virtual consultations (via Zoom, Teams, or phone) on any weekday.

541-346-1850

Subjects: Dance, Music