Skip to Main Content

University Library

LibGuides

Citing Sources in the Performing Arts

Music Scores in APA Style

Below, you will see examples of music scores cited in the APA style. For more information on how to read these examples, see the Getting Started page of this LibGuide (see the tabs to the left.)

Musical scores follow the same formatting rules as Audiovisual Media; see the referenced sections of the ALA Publication Manual below.

Examples of Music Scores

Example Item

Provide the composer and librettist in the Author position, in the order shown on the work. Also make sure to specify the type of score in square brackets (i.e., “[Musical score],” “[Piano score],” “[Vocal score]”).


Reference List

TEMPLATE: 

Composer Last Name, Composer First Initial (Publication Year). Title of score [Type of Score]. Publisher.

EXAMPLE:

Larsen, L. (2014). Ferlinghetti: for Clarinet, Viola, and Piano [Musical score]. Kenwood Editions.


In-Text Citation (Parenthetical)

TEMPLATE: 

(Author Last Name, Publication Year)

EXAMPLE:

(Larsen, 2014)


In-Text Citation (Narrative)

TEMPLATE: 

Author Last Name (Publication Year)

EXAMPLE:

Larsen (2014)


See Also: APA Manual 9.1-9.52 - Reference List
APA Manual 10.13 - Audio Works (Example 92)
APA Style Website - Musical Score References

Example item


Reference List

TEMPLATE: 

Composer Last Name, Composer First Initial (Publication Year). Title of score [Type of Score]. Publisher. (Original work published Year)

EXAMPLE:

Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, F. (2005). Konzert in e-Moll für Violine und Orchester, op. 64, 1844/1845 = Concerto in E minor for violin and orchestra [Orchestral Score]. Bärenreiter. (Original work published 1844)


In-Text Citation (Parenthetical)

TEMPLATE: 

(Author Last Name, Original Publication Year/Newer Publication Year)

EXAMPLE:

(Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, 1844/2005)


In-Text Citation (Narrative)

TEMPLATE: 

Author Last Name (Original Publication Year/Newer Publication Year)

EXAMPLE:

Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1844/2005)


See Also: APA Manual 9.1-9.52 - Reference List
APA Manual 10.13 - Audio Works (Example 92)
APA Style Website - Musical Score References

Example Item

When presenting the composer's and the librettist's names, cite them in the order they appear on the work.


Reference List

TEMPLATE: 

Creator Last Name, Creator First Initial & Creator Last Name, Creator First Initial. (Publication Year). Title of Work [Type of Score]. Publisher.

EXAMPLE:

Grant-Schaefer, G.A., Paynter, T., & Irving, W. (1938). Rip Van Winkle, an operetta in three acts based on Washington Irving's story [Musical Score]. Raymond A. Hoffman Co.


In-Text Citation (Parenthetical)

TEMPLATE: 

(Creator Last Name & Creator Last Name, Publication Year)

EXAMPLE:

(Grant-Schaefer et. al., 1938)


In-Text Citation (Narrative)

TEMPLATE: 

Creator Last Name and Creator Last Name (Publication Year)

EXAMPLE:

Grant-Schaefer et. al. (1938)


See Also: APA Manual 9.1-9.52 - Reference List
APA Manual 10.13 - Audio Works (Example 91)
APA Style Website - Musical Score References

Example Item

When the title is in a different language, include a translation in square brackets after the original-language title.


Reference List

TEMPLATE: 

Composer Last Name, Composer First Initial (Anthology Publication Year). Title of Piece [Type of Score]. In Anthology Creator Name, Anthology Name (Edition, Pages). Publisher. (Original work published Year)

EXAMPLE:

Strozzi, B. (2013). Lagrime mie [My tears] [Vocal Score]. In Rothenburg, D.J. et. al. (Eds.), Oxford Anthology of Western Music (pp. 322-325). Oxford University Press. (Original work published 1659)


In-Text Citation (Parenthetical)

TEMPLATE: 

(Author Last Name, Publication Year)

EXAMPLE:

(Strozzi, 2013)


In-Text Citation (Narrative)

TEMPLATE: 

Author Last Name (Publication Year)

EXAMPLE:

Strozzi (2013)


See Also: APA Manual 9.1-9.52 - Reference List
APA Manual 10.13 - Audio Works (Example 91)
APA Style Website - Musical Score References