Performing Arts at the Library of Congress

09/08/2026

Teaser Tuesday: When a ballet company goes on tour, it's not just the dancers, the costumes, and the many many shoes that travel, but also the music. This page is from the timpani part for Aaron Copland's score of Rodeo, a ballet choreographed by Agnes De Mille. The American Ballet Theatre first performed Rodeo in 1950, and this page shares some insight into the percussionists who play their part.

Image: Timpani part for "Rodeo" by Aaron Copland, 1950-1960. American Ballet Theatre Records, Box-Folder 95/3, Music Division, Library of Congress. https://lccn.loc.gov/2014572470/?loclr=fbmus

09/04/2026

The Library of Congress has added a new musical gift from Wales to the collections, presented to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence. An excerpt of the work was first performed in the U.S. on Sept. 1 in the Library's historic Coolidge Auditorium, with the score now set to join the Library's extensive music collections. "Symffoni'r Môr Mawr, A Transatlantic Symphony," is a 15-minute orchestral work with voices by multi-award-winning composer Katie Jenkins. We were honored to be joined by Welsh Government Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport, Heledd Fychan, and His Majesty's Ambassador to the United States Sir Christian Turner. Special thanks to the U.S. Air Force Strings, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and Chloe Flower for their performances.

https://newsroom.loc.gov/news/library-of-congress-adds-new-symphony-from-wales-to-music-division-collections/s/47de8db6-783f-444c-89b1-6690d1ed3f3d?loclr=fbmus

09/02/2026

Music Reference Specialists Dr. Stacey Jocoy and Heather Darnell recount the Library's recent K-Pop edition of Live! At the Library in a new blog post. The Music Division’s display at the event placed K-pop within a longer history of popular music, celebrity and fandom.

https://blogs.loc.gov/music/2026/08/k-pop-takes-over-the-library/?loclr=fbmus

Image: Collectible K-Pop fan books and guides from the Music Division featured in the Division’s K-Pop display, August 6, 2026. Photo courtesy of Heather Darnell.

09/01/2026

Teaser Tuesday:
This portrait depicts German soprano, Lilli Lehmann, at a vibrant age 72. A major operatic figure in the late 19th and early 20th century, Lehmann anchored roles in the first complete performance of Wagner's Ring Cycle at the 1876 Bayreuth Festival, solidifying her influence in Wagnerian performance. Learn more about Lehmann's remarkable five-decade career as a performer, festival director, writer, and innovative vocal pedagog in the recently processed Lilli Lehmann Papers.

Image: Studio portrait of Lilli Lehmann, 1920. Lilli Lehmann Papers, Box-Folder 5/1, Music Division, Library of Congress. https://lccn.loc.gov/2013572137/?loclr=fbmus

08/31/2026

Library acquires the papers of jazz legend Gil Evans.

08/28/2026

The Music Division is pleased to announce a vacancy for a Librarian (Reference). Deadline to apply: September 11, 2026. This telework-eligible role will be hired at the GS-9 level with a career ladder up to a GS-12. The starting salary range, including locality pay, is $70,623 - $91,815 per year.

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/882575500

Image: Whoopi Goldberg viewing performing arts collections at the Library with staff, May 2024. Shawn Miller/Library of Congress.

08/27/2026

The Music Division is accepting applications for the position of Librarian (Cataloger). Deadline to apply: September 10, 2026. This telework-eligible role will be hired at the GS-9 level with a career ladder up to a GS-12. The starting salary range, including locality pay, is $70,623 - $91,815 per year.

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/882423400

Image: Staff show visitors performing arts collections.

08/25/2026

American music has lost one of the all-time greats. Rest easy, Ms. Parton. We thank you for all your music and support for literacy. What a life and legacy.

https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2026/08/an-extremely-fond-farewell-to-dolly-parton-library-friend-and-childrens-literacy-champion/?loclr=fbmus

Image: Dolly Parton reads to children in the Library’s Great Hall in 2018. Photo: Shawn Miller

08/25/2026

Teaser Tuesday: Who knew that composer Harold Arlen and singer Bing Crosby had much in common? In a letter to publicist Bob Wachsman responding to a request for information about Arlen for an article, Crosby lists their similarities, including that they "both sing like Jewish Cantors" (Arlen was the son of a Jewish cantor; Crosby was Roman Catholic). He writes a flattering and warm description of Arlen and his music, and remarks that when he first met Arlen, he "really knocked me out with his unique singing style and his great wizardry on the piano." Crosby recorded several of Arlen's songs, including "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive" and "I've Got the World on a String."
Image: Opening of letter from Bing Crosby to Bob Wachsman, December 15, 1947. Rita Arlen Collection of Harold Arlen Papers, Music Division, Library of Congress. https://lccn.loc.gov/2020570189/?loclr=fbmus

08/23/2026

We had such a great time connecting with so many community members on Saturday! Save the date for the 2027 Library of Congress National Book Festival, Saturday, August 21, 2027.

That's a wrap on the 2026 National Book Festival! We're thrilled to announce that next year's event will be on August 21, 2027. Mark your calendars!

If you attended the festival today, please take our survey, which will help Festival organizers design future events to meet your needs!

🔗 to survey: https://2026nbf.sawtoothsoftware.com/cgi-bin/ciwweb.pl?L=&hid_link=1&hid_pagenum=1&hid_studyname=2026NBFSurvey&hid_javascript=1&hid_screenwidth=1225

Image: The Naptown Brass Band from Annapolis, Maryland, plays on the L Street Bridge of the Washington Convention Center near the end of the National Book Festival. Photo by Shawn Miller/Library of Congress.