<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>From<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.loc.gov/nls/music">www.loc.gov/nls/music</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>you can download the “brf” files for the second edition of INTRODUCTION TO BRAILLE MUSIC TRANSCRIPTION, originally by Mary Turner De Garmo, revised by Dr. Lawrence Smith and others. This is a big and marvelously helpful book. Because of the inability to read ink-print music, blind music students cannot take the transcription course on which the book is based; but anyone can benefit from studying the book. Special guidance on formats and symbols for vocal music is found in Chapter 22 (Volume 4), Chapter 28 (Volume 5), and Chapters 29 and 31 (Volume 6). <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For a still more technical look at braille music, anyone can download the “brf” files of the 1997 BANA music code book. Go to <a href="http://www.brailleauthority.org">www.brailleauthority.org</a> to download the zipped files for the five braille volumes. Chapter 22 on vocal music (in Volume 3) includes explanations of solo music, ensemble music, and opera format.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you are a serious braille-reading singer, don’t shortchange yourself. All this information is available for downloading without cost. Enjoy these resources and make good use of them!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Karen Gearreald <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>