New term, new music, new resources

 With the new term quickly approaching, I thought I would take this opportunity to post a few links that I have found to be fantastic resources for myself, my colleagues and my students.  While there are many traditional routes that are often suggested to us for finding all those 'school supplies' that we need, there are also handy online tools that can be helpful, and even get us out of a jam when we get to class and realize we forgot something important! Here are my top 5 favourite resources.
1. IMSLP.org
Possibly my favourite website ever (I don't even think I'm exaggerating!), this site offers downloadable files public domain sheet music.  While the list is not exhaustive (but could it ever be?), it is incredibly comprehensive, varied and easy to use.  And it's Canadian, eh!  Though I first used it solely for printing off solo sonatas and concertos, I pull it up time and time again for many great uses.  Forgot your part at home? No problem.  Study book in your locker and you have a lesson tonight? Kling and Kopprash are online! Big week in orchestra-why not print off the score of that Mahler Symphony for your upcoming sectional?  Piano proficiency coming up - Bach minuets are a great place to start learning your 4-voice playing and improving sightreading. Musicianship classes got you down? Go to Imslp for sightreading material and pick something you would never normally see-perhaps a bassoon sonata?  Hanging out with a friend, pick out some  horn duets to play.  Empty spot on the next chamber concert? Imslp has all the parts to great works like the Dvorak serenade and lots of cool harmoniemusik.  Audition coming up and need to get the piano part to someone out of town? If you can't mail it fast enough, send them the link to the piano part online, and they'll have a chance to look it over in advance.  (However, this should only be a last resort method, as you should always treasure your accompanist, and avoid their incurring any expenses or extra work if it is possible).  What about your excerpts? Compare editions, and make sure you always have a complete part and score if possible - the Brandenburg concerto is much more intersting when you see what's around you! As you can see, there's lots to find, and let your creativity help in your searching!
2. Hornexcerpts.org
Yep, I know its obvious, but it has to be said. This is certainly one of the best online sites to find and compare recordings of common orchestral excerpts.  The reprinted versions are also typically accurate, so they can be used for learning materials for auditions coming up.  Don't forget though that this is only a selection of both excerpts and recordings, and you should always look for others and compare to common performance auditions.  Also, don't just listen and walk away- what is your favourite recording and why? What tempo are these esteemed orchestras playing at? What makes them unique? Active listening makes an informed musician.
3. Homework help
These days, practically everything you need can be found online.  Here's a few cool resources that I've found helpful in the past.
- History help - did you know that there are chapter summaries online for A History of Western Music? There are also quizzes, but the chapter summaries are great review for entrance exams and the like.
- Theory time - www.blanksheetmusic.net not only has free staff paper to print, you can customize the number of staves, clefs, etc...always a bonus when you're composing a new horn cadenza or trying to work through your theory homework.
- How fast exactly? webmetronome.com is an online metronome - I've used it when comparing recording tempi or practicing at home.  And if you're on the go and have your iPhone handy...there's an app for that too ;)
-Say what? http://translate.google.com/# can help with translations for all those terms in your part :) For other musical terms, websites like http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdictionary/appendix/translations/Translations.html
are useful as well.
4. Mozart rocks.  The Digital Mozart Edition provides complete works of Mozart and letters, documents and libretti as well. Check out your next concerto:  http://dme.mozarteum.at/DME/main/index.php?l=2
5.New Music for a new year
Though some of us live in big cities with big music stores, we don't all have the same kind of access to printed music that others have.  Here's a few places to check for new works that you might not find at your local shop.
http://www.musiccentre.ca/home.cfm
Canadian Music Centre offers music rentals for free on contemporary Canadian composers - support your local composer!
www.sheetmusicplus.com  Fast, reliable, and good selection.
www.thompsonedition.com
A few different works you might not find otherwise.
rkingmusic.com Robert King music
www.hickeys.com Great selection at Hickeys music