Researching your chosen musical selection and composer/performer may be quite difficult. My first advice is to start early!
Many students turn to Wikipedia for their initial exploration of a topic. This is fine, but be sure to augment your research with sources you can actually include on an academic bibliography. Do not include Wikipedia on your Works Cited list.
Here are some suggested resources to consult early on in your research.
The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians by Use books to read broad overviews and detailed discussions of your topic. You can also use books to find primary sources, which are often published together in collections.
You'll use the library catalog to search for books, ebooks, articles, and more.
If you need materials (books, articles, recordings, videos, etc.) that you cannot find in the library catalog, use our interlibrary loan service.
Search scholarly materials on the Web.
Why Use Databases?
The MJC Library subscribes to many databases filled with authoritative articles, book chapters, research reports, statistics, and more from thousands of respected publications.
Using the Library's article databases ensures that you're using the academically-appropriate sources your instructors expect you to use. Also, you won't have to cull through millions of unrelated Web pages that will waste your time and energy.
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All of these resources are free for MJC students, faculty, and staff.
If you're working from off campus, you'll need to sign in. Once you click on the name of a database, simply enter your student ID (without the W) and your six-digit birthdate.