Notes (journal)
July of 1934 marked the debut of Notes, a quarterly journal devoted to music librarianship and bibliography. Eva Judd O'Meara served as the first editor during this initial phase. Her opening statement in that first issue revealed a lonely effort. She wrote that the notes were intended for a chorus of voices from all the music libraries. Yet so far none had joined in, leaving her to drone on alone. The first twenty-three pages contained mimeographed sheets rather than professional typesetting. These early issues included an article about creating subdivisions for card catalogs to handle works by Johann Sebastian Bach. A humorous column titled Wrong Notes listed common mistakes made by music students.
December of 1943 brought a significant change when the Music Library Association issued the first volume of the second series. Richard S. Hill took over editorship at this time. He oversaw the switch from long unwieldy mimeographed sheets to type-set pages. This new format allowed for more space for articles and advertisements. The previous series had concluded in December 1942 after fifteen issues produced over eight years. By May 1940, the journal had written its own constitution and doubled its membership. Charles Warren Fox edited the publication between 1941 and 1942 before Hill arrived. The shift to printed pages gave the journal a new dignity compared to the earlier informal sheets.
A list of editors traces the leadership from 1934 through the present day. William McClellan served from 1977 until 1982. Susan T. Sommer followed him from 1982 to 1987. Michael Ochs held the position from 1987 to 1992. Daniel Zager led the journal between 1992 and 1997. Richard Griscom edited from 1997 to 2000. Linda Solow Blotner took charge from 2000 to 2004. James P. Cassaro served from 2004 to 2010. Jane Gottlieb was editor from 2010 to 2015. Deborah Campana led from 2015 to 2020. Jonathan Sauceda began his term in 2020. Harold E. Samuel edited from 1966 to 1970. Edward N. Waters served from 1963 to 1965. William Lichtenwanger edited from 1961 to 1963.
The journal covers diverse musical genres through its book reviews and articles. Reviews appear on modern musicians like Johnny Cash or Nine Inch Nails. Classical composers such as Béla Bartók or Chopin also receive attention. Later years divided book reviews into specific sections including Times Places Peoples. Another section focuses on American Highways and Byways. Twentieth Century Musics forms a distinct category for review. Late Romantics comprise another segment of the publication. The journal continues to publish articles about music librarianship practices. These include collection development concerns regarding digital media. Scholarship in the field receives coverage alongside bibliographies of musical works.
Donald William Krummel wrote a retrospective in 2004 marking sixty years of the journal. This history spans from the first series debut in July 1934 to the present day. The Music Library Association publishes Notes quarterly. Early contributors included the Grosvenor Library in Buffalo, NY. The Sibley Music Library at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY participated. The New York Public Library joined the effort. The Newberry Library in Chicago contributed to the early issues. The Boston Public Library was among the initial group of libraries. The first series concluded in December 1942 after fifteen issues were produced over eight years. The second series began one year later in December 1943 and continues today.
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Common questions
When did Notes journal first debut?
Notes journal debuted in July of 1934 as a quarterly publication devoted to music librarianship and bibliography. Eva Judd O'Meara served as the first editor during this initial phase.
Who edited Notes from 2015 to 2020?
Deborah Campana led Notes from 2015 to 2020. Jonathan Sauceda began his term in 2020 following her tenure.
What format changes occurred when the second series of Notes started?
The Music Library Association issued the first volume of the second series in December of 1943 with Richard S. Hill taking over editorship. He oversaw the switch from long unwieldy mimeographed sheets to type-set pages which allowed for more space for articles and advertisements.
Which libraries contributed to early issues of Notes?
Early contributors included the Grosvenor Library in Buffalo, NY, the Sibley Music Library at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, the New York Public Library, the Newberry Library in Chicago, and the Boston Public Library. These institutions joined the effort alongside other initial group members.
How many issues were produced in the first series of Notes?
The previous series concluded in December 1942 after fifteen issues were produced over eight years. The second series began one year later in December 1943 and continues today.