Music Scores in MLA Style
Below, you will see examples of music scores cited in the MLA style. For more information on how to read these examples, see the Getting Started page of this LibGuide (see the tabs to the left.)
Examples of Music Scores
Example Item
Music scores are cited in the same way as books.
Bibliography
TEMPLATE:
Composer Last Name, Composer First Name. Title of score. Edition, arranged for <instruments> by Name of Arranger, edited by Name of Editor, Publisher, Date of Publication, location.
EXAMPLE:
Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Felix. Concerto in E Minor for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 64. Bärenreiter Urtext edition, edited by R. Larry Todd, Kassel, 2005.
In-Text Citation
TEMPLATE:
(Last Name of Author, Pages)
EXAMPLE:
(Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, 2-3)
See Also: MLA Handbook 5.3-5.22 - Author Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 5.23-5.30 - Title of Source Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 5.31-5.37 - Title of Container Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 6.3-6.30 - In-Text Citations: What to Include and How to Style It
Example Item
Unpublished music scores are cited in the same way as unpublished books.
Seven cantatas by Bach, once owned by Mendelssohn : copyist's manuscript, [1700-1750] by J.S. Bach
Online Resource
Bibliography
TEMPLATE:
Author. Title of Manuscript/Document. date of composition (at least year), along with the name and location of the library, research institution, or personal collection housing the material. If possible, include a URL.
EXAMPLE:
Bach, Johann Sebastion. Cantatas. Selections. Seven Cantatas by Bach, once owned by Mendelssohn. Copyist's manuscript. [1700-1750]. Department of Music Manuscripts and Books, Pierpont Morgan Library. https://ww.themorgan.org/music/manuscript/114166.
In-Text Citation
TEMPLATE:
(Last Name of Author, Pages)
EXAMPLE:
(Bach 10)