The Frances G. Spencer Collection of American Sheet Music is one of the few collections of its kind and size in the country. Acquired by Baylor University in 1965, this collection of approximately 30,000 titles was the life-long pursuit of the avid and well-respected sheet music collector for whom the collection is named. The collection includes many fine examples of first editions such as Jingle Bells and Battle Hymn of the Republic, as well as first editions of prominent American composers of the time such as Stephen Foster and Scott Joplin. Spanning from the late 18th century to the early 20th century, the Spencer collection complements other areas of study in addition to music, including Texas and American history, art, political science, sociology, theater, sports, and recreation. It is arranged in over 200 subject categories.

The Baylor University School of Music has a sterling reputation as an institution that educates and trains young men and women for excellence in the performance of instrumental and vocal music.This collection will contain programs from performances given by the students and faculty of the School of Music from the 1960s to the present. The items in this collection are keyword searchable.

Featuring items written in English and Portuguese, this collection is centered on the papers of Joan Riffey Sutton, a 1951 Baylor University alumna and longtime missionary to Brazil. Sutton, who grew up a missionary child in Brazil, has composed, translated, arranged or collected a large body of Christian music, and a gift of her archives launched Baylor’s Music in Missions Collection.