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Towe Archive of Classical Music Collection
In February 2025, the self-proclaimed “America’s oldest college DJ” passed away and left behind his vast trove of records. However, few outside the world of New York metro area Classical radio listeners or networks of Bach scholars might have received the news of his death. Being a member of neither, it was not until late September 2025, when I received a call from a lawyer handling the estate of Teri Noel Towe, that I learned of the man and the unbelievable collection that he had amassed during his life.
The Music Library, located within the Music Building, is open 10:00am-4:45pm Monday to Friday.
Student at Queens College Music Library
The Queens College Music Library, housed within the Music Building, is part of the Queens College Library system. Over the years, it has developed into a premier research facility and holds the largest music collection in the CUNY system. The Music Library is located on two levels in the Music Building and contains over 40,000 scores, 35,000 books and 30,000 sound recordings as well as a computer lab, book scanner, and circulating iPads. The reference collection, including complete works of composers and monuments of music, is one of the best in the New York City area. In addition to materials housed in the Music Library, Special Collections on the works of Karol Rathaus Archives, the K. Robert Schwarz Papers, and the Leo Kraft Papers are housed in the Benjamin Rosenthal Library.
You can browse our collection online using OneSearch. Also, be sure to check out Music Research Guides, which offer a wealth of information about locating and using resources specific to music research.
Location & Contact:
Music Building, Room 225
65-30 Kissena Boulevard
Queens, NY 11367-1597
(tel) 718-997-3900
(fax) 718-997-3928
musiclibrary@qc.cuny.edu