International Day of Music Titles for Higher Education

By Liza Riitters | September 29 2026 | Higher Education

The International Day of Music on October 1st offers an opportunity to reflect on music as a powerful force in culture, scholarship, and everyday life. This title selection brings together books that examine music not only as an art form, but also as a way to understand history, identity, social change, and global connection. From studies of performance and creativity to explorations of sound, memory, and community, these titles are great for seminar discussion, academic courses, and independent reading.

Find the full collection of music titles for higher education here.

9780593687895
From one of the world's most beloved and respected public intellectuals comes a sweeping work of musical criticism, examining the distance between the performer and their audience "Not since Virgil Thomson have we had a music critic with as wide ranging a view as Edward Said."—Studs Terkel "Wonderful personal thoughts on music and musicians . . . Mr. Said is marvelous."—New York Times Book Review
$19.00 US
Sep 22, 2026
Paperback
144 Pages
Vintage
US, Canada, Open Mkt

9780807022504
From a scholar and dedicated member of the BeyHive comes an an in-depth exploration of the lessons and affirmations of Beyoncé’s work and how her music continues to speak for the historically unspoken for.
$29.95 US
Sep 01, 2026
Hardcover
232 Pages
Beacon Press
World

9781984858399
The definitive photographic celebration of John Coltrane's life and music, featuring exclusive contributions written by Ravi Coltrane, Wayne Coyne, Dev Hynes, Phil Lesh, Julie Mehretu, Carlos Santana, and Patti Smith.
$60.00 US
Sep 01, 2026
Hardcover
288 Pages
Ten Speed Press
World

9780806545257
The greatest untold story in the history of hip-hop, this is the first-ever complete account of the scene, street-savvy stars, and daring record label that launched West Coast hip-hop into the American mainstream and produced the hits that dominated the ’80s and ’90s—with previously unseen material, photos, and exclusive interviews. WITH A FOREWORD BY B-REAL OF CYPRESS HILL
$29.00 US
Jun 30, 2026
FOC Jun 01, 2026
Hardcover
336 Pages
Citadel
World

9780262551854
A critical examination of the twenty-first century fetishization of professional audio technologies, and how it led to a new social formation: gear cultures.
$75.00 US
May 20, 2025
Paperback
394 Pages
The MIT Press
World

9780593850978
A neuroscience-based approach to learning how to play music at any age
$18.00 US
Mar 18, 2025
Paperback
256 Pages
Tarcher
World

9781984898951
NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • From the indie rock sensation known as Japanese Breakfast, an unforgettable memoir about family, food, grief, love, and growing up Korean American. •  "In losing her mother and cooking to bring her back to life, Zauner became herself.” —NPR
$17.00 US
Mar 28, 2023
Paperback
288 Pages
Vintage
US, Canada, Open Mkt