Songs for Racing Fans

The Indy 500 is two days and 70 miles away. Here are some song suggestions to set the tone:

One of the best known early car songs comes from the 1930s: "Terraplane Blues" by Robert Johnson Nobody remembers the car anymore, but Robert Johnson is still revered as possibly the best blues artist ever recorded, and this song is one of his signature songs.	1935 Hudson Terraplane
From the 1950s: Chuck Berry, No Particular Place to Go From the 1960s: Beach Boys: 409, Fun Fun Fun, and Little Deuce COupe Jan & Dean: Dead Man's Curve Ronny & the Daytonas Little G.T.O.	1961 Chevy Impala 409
From The 1970s:Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen: Hot Rod Lincoln Janis Joplin: Mercedes Benz War: Low Rider Blackfoot: The Highway Song	Low Rider Car
From the 1980s & later: Gary Numan: Cars Queen I'm in Love with My Car Bruce Springsteen's Cadillac Ranch Or you could just check out the music of The Cars.
For fun reading, check out this list of the 100 Greatest Car Songs.

We're Moving!!! (Temporarily)

Due to an upcoming carpeting project, Music Collection materials and equipment are being moved around. Services will continue as usual throughout the summer, but we may have to do some creative work-arounds. Please bear with us!

Some of the audio listening carrels have been dismantled, but you can still use other listening carrels (behind the glass wall) for reserve listening. Just ask at the service counter if you have any questions.

Books and scores are already being moved to their temporary quarters on the fourth floor. The M2s and M3s are already there! Check for them in the Northeast corner of the Fourth Floor, just past group study rooms 409 and 410.

Research Help by Appointment

If you missed out on last week's research refresher sessions, you can still brush up on your research skills with a one-on-one research consultation. I can help you get started on your term paper research or direct you to more fruitful sources if you've gotten stuck. Summer goes by so fast! Don't let rusty library skills delay your term paper research!

Contact me to set up a time to meet and I'll be happy to help you. 765-285-5065 BSUMusicLibn on AIM

Wedding Music

Planning your wedding? Planning someone else's wedding? Playing a "gig" at a stranger's wedding? The Music Collection has songbooks and recordings to help you get ready for the big day. Musicians & the happy couple can work together to find just the right pieces for the big event.

Check out compact discs of wedding music to hear the common & uncommon selections that you might want your guests to hear. Then the musicians can check out Sheet music (score) selections of wedding music including both secular and religious songbooks. The music collection has music for organ, string quartet, brass quintet, and of course, singers.

If you are a pianist, you might want to consult Maurice Hinson's Classical music for the Wedding Service: Piano Literature Appropriate for the Wedding Service.

The Chamber Music Finder can help you search the catalog for sheet music for specific ensemble types. If you want music for an unusual grouping, such as clarinet, viola, and piano, you can find it there! Just indicate the instrument and number of players using the instrument, and click "search!" You can also type "wedding" into the keyword box to specify music for weddings.

Music Refresher Workshops this week

I'll be holding music research refresher workshops in Bracken Library 009 (Computer Instruction Room) during the first week of Summer Session at the following times:

Monday	3:00 p.m.
Tuesday	5:00 p.m.
Wednesday	2:00 p.m.

If you can't come to one of these sessions, call the Music Collection (765-285-8188) to set up an individual reference appointment or send me an e-mail at the address below:

Summer Session 2010

Happy Summer everyone!
The Music Collection & staff are ready to help you with your course and entertainment needs this summer. New books, scores, and compact discs arrive daily.

The Music Collection hours for Summer Session are the same as those for Bracken Library:

Monday-Thursday	7:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m.
Friday	7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday	9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Sunday	10:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m.

Cinco de Mayo - celebrate with music!

Though not the official national day of Mexico (which is September 16), May 5th, or "Cinco de Mayo" (pronounced Sink-o day My-o) is a day for Mexican-Americans and Mexicans to celebrate their cultural heritage. People mark the day with celebrations with parties and cultural events. The date has become so popular that you no longer need to be Mexican to take part. Like St. Patrick's Day and Oktoberfest, everyone can be Mexican on May 5th.

The most popular Mexican-American/Mexican music style for celebrations is Mariachi (pronounced Marr - ee - ah - chee). In this genre, performers in oversized hats and matching costumes entertain with love songs and sometimes other topics. The groups use only acoustic instruments, including violins, trumpets, guitars, a large guitar with a deep sound (bajo sexto) and sometimes other instruments, such as the folk harp or accordian.

Bands can have as few as four members but some have over twenty. Traditionally, mariachi groups have been all-male, but women are increasingly active, either in mixed-sex groups or all-women ensembles such as the Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles (left).

The mariachi band is often the highlight of weddings and quinceñeras (birthday party for a 15-year-old girl) but can be called on for every type of celebration. And of course, they often perform in Mexican restaurants.

The Music Collection has mariachi music that you can check out for your Cinco de Mayo party.