Digital Resources

Research in television music requires an interdisciplinary approach that encompasses both audio and visual materials - particularly those that cover broadcasting history. Most television music in the Library's collections is still protected by copyright and not available for online access. This page describes Library resources that include content available online that is relevant to television music research through its connections to broadcasting history writ large.

Digital Collections

Some of the Library's digital collections include materials relevant to television music. Select examples include:

Leonard Bernstein Digital Collection
The Young People's Concerts with the New York Philharmonic are the longest-running series of family concerts of classical music in the world. Leonard Bernstein began televising these concerts when he became the conductor the orchestra in 1958. The digital collection includes notes and annotated scripts for the television broadcast program. The digital collection also includes scripts, memos, and other materials from Bernstein's appearances as a music educator on the CBS Television Network's Omnibus, a weekly culture-oriented program funded by the Ford Foundation.
The Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine Collection
For those interested in researching American variety shows from the mid-twentieth century, this digital collection includes scores for skits and songs as well as press kit materials, scripts, and recordings from The Danny Kaye Show

Lectures & Videos

Several digitized videos on the Library's website provide historical overviews of television broadcasting in the United States. Several are part of the National Screening Room digital collection. Search for additional videos on the Library's website.

Featured Video

This video discusses research conducted by the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) which led to the development of both black and white and color television. It traces the history of television broadcasting by the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) and includes animated sequences showing the operation of television cameras, transmitters, and receiving sets.

Behind Your Radio Dial
This program presents the complicated audio and visual components that must come together for any radio and television broadcasting. The video includes capsule summaries of the departments making up the NBC network organization, scenes of rehearsals, and broadcasts by NBC's top stars.
Preserving Digital Public Television
This video addresses the factors that contribute to how we are able to view legacy television programs. Project director Nan Rubin discusses the "Preserving Digital Public Television" project, which explores the selection and appraisal of programs for preservation, a variety of technical issues, and the roles and responsibilities for long-term preservation within the public television community. Among other technical topics, the project is examining appropriate formatting for video preservation.
Stepping Along with Television
This film explains the process that allows for a national simultaneous broadcasting of television with a broadcast of Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty.

Blog Posts

Multiple Library blogs have published posts relevant to television music research. These blogs include:

In the Muse
Music Division blog
Now See Hear!
Motion Picture, Broadcasting, & Recorded Sound Division blog

Search for additional Library of Congress blog posts on the main blog website. The following is a representative sample of television music-specific blog posts published by the Music Division in In the Muse.

Star Trek: Two Versions of the Opening Theme
Music Cataloger Chris Holden discusses the title theme to the original Star Trek television series.
Milton Berle: Comedy From Vaudeville to the Computer Age
Music archivist Anita M. Weber discusses the career or Milton Berle.
It’s the Real Thing: Coca-Cola on Mad Men and In the Library’s Collections
Music Reference Specialist Cait Miller discusses music in the series finale to Mad Men.

Television Music: A Guide to Resources at the Library of Congress

Performing Arts: Ask a Librarian

Digital Resources

Digital Collections

Lectures & Videos

Featured Video

Blog Posts