Finding music at the Conservatorium Library

How to search

1. At the top of the page, select the search bar and select Library catalogue advanced search.
2. In the first row under search filters, type the Title or any keywords.
3. Then in the second row, type the composer or Creator's last name.
4. Using the filters on the right, select your Material type (e.g. Scores, Audio).
5. Select the Search button.
6. If you haven’t found what you’re searching for but you’ve found a similar item, select See all versions, then check your Material type filter is still set to the correct format.

Fine tune your search

Use Google or The Oxford Dictionary of Music to explore different ways the item you’re looking for is described. You can use this information to improve your search.

For example, the music you’re searching for could:

• be part of a larger work
• have a unique number assigned to it such as opus number or other catalogue number such as Köchel or BWV
• be commonly described in another language or have a ‘uniform title’
• have spelling variations.

You can always contact staff at the Conservatorium Library information desk for more help.

Find the score or CD on the shelf

The Wynn call number system is a cataloguing style unique to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Library, designed to help you easily locate and browse music in our physical collection.

The Wynn system categorises works based on instrumentation, musical form and composer.

Components of a Wynn call number

Music scores

For example: J3 BEE = Beethoven violin sonatas.

Music CDs

For example: CD1A SHO = Shostakovic symphonies.

Once you’ve noted the item’s call number on the Library website, use the corresponding signage on the shelves to locate it.

You can also view a full list of Wynn call numbers for scores and call numbers for CDs.

Request access to specific items

Some letters at the start of Wynn call numbers indicate that you need to see Conservatorium Library staff to access the item. These include:

• C: Orchestral sets
• Z: Jazz sets
• KR: LP vinyl records