Black Composers: Getting Started

Here are some online music databases and general resources that can be helpful as you start your research.

If the suggested resources in this guide don't include what you're looking for, remember that the Libraries have a wealth of other resources available.  Try some of these subject headings to explore further:

• African American Composers
• African American Women Composers
• African American Musicians
• African Americans Music
• Musicians, Black
• Composers, Black
• Music by Black Composers

There are several online databases of music recordings and printed and manuscript music that can help you in your research.

The Black Music History Library is an open-access database of resources in multiple media related to various musical genres.

Music by Black Composers is a project of the Rachel Barton Pine Foundation, and includes music and resources related to both living and historical Black composers.

The Petrucci Music Library (also known as IMSLP) provides free access to digitized images of myriad printed and manuscript musical works of many genres.

Alexander Street Press includes at least four collections of recordings that may be of potential interest to researchers of Black and African-American composers:

The Naxos Music Library has a wealth of recordings and resources categorized by genre and ensemble type, themed playlists, essays, and easily searchable collections.

Note:  access to Alexander Street Press and Naxos requires Duke credentials; the other resources noted above are open-access.