# Collections

Build named lists for recitals, lessons, or programmes, give each one its own tuning and ambience, and share a link.

> Type: How-to · Status: Stable · Platforms: iPadOS 17+, iPadOS 17+ · Last reviewed: 2026-07-18

A collection is a named list of pieces: a recital programme, a term of lessons, an exam list. It stores references, not copies — a piece can belong to several collections, and adding or removing membership never moves, duplicates, or deletes a score file.

## Create a collection

1. In the library, tap the round `Collections` chip in the drawer's chip row. Collections is a chip, not one of the four library tabs (`My Library`, `Catalog`, `Calibrated`, `All`).
2. Select `New Collection`.
3. Enter a `Collection name`. This is the only required field.
4. Optionally pick a cover glyph, add a one-line description (for example `Spring recital program`), and set `Visibility`: `Private`, `Public`, `Unlisted`, or `Shared`.
5. To fill the collection with new files at the same time, select `Bulk import scores or a folder` and pick PDFs or a whole folder from Files or iCloud Drive. The row above shows how many scores are staged; `Clear` unstages them.
6. Select `Create`.

Importing during creation runs the same import and duplicate check as a normal [bulk import](/docs/import/bulk-review); the imported pieces land in your library and in the new collection at once.

> **Limit** `Public` can only be chosen here, and sharing does not honour it: the share sheet offers only `Private`, `Unlisted`, and `Shared`, and opening it on a `Public` collection switches the setting to `Unlisted` (link-only).

## Add pieces from the library

For one piece, swipe a library row and choose `Add to collection`, or use the same entry in the row's long-press menu or at the top of the piece's Properties. In the picker, check one or more collections, or choose `New collection…` to name a new one on the spot.

For several pieces, select `Select` in the library toolbar, pick the pieces, then choose `Add to Collection`. This also works on Catalog pieces you have not downloaded yet.

Pieces keep their place in `My Library` and keep their metadata, versions, recordings, and annotations. If you want sections that maintain themselves from metadata (all Baroque pieces, one composer's works), use [grouping and saved views](/docs/library/organize) instead of a hand-maintained collection.

## Turn a suggested program into a collection

When [Ask the Score](/docs/practice/ask-the-score) suggests a recital program, the reply's `From the catalogue` card has an `Add as collection` button: one tap creates a collection named after the piece (for example `Recital — Clair de lune`) holding the current piece and the suggested works. Rename it, reorder it, or delete it like any other collection.

## Work inside a collection

Open a collection from the `Collections` chip's list; the `All Collections` pill returns to the list. The `…` menu at the top of a collection offers:

- `Reorder pieces` — drag rows into programme order, then `Done reordering`.
- `Open as tab group` — opens every piece in the collection as reader tabs.
- `Tuning preset…` — the collection's reference pitch and ambience (below).
- `New folder…` — creates a folder inside the collection. Move a piece with its row's `…` menu > `Move to folder`; `Unfiled` takes it back out. Folders only group rows — a piece in a folder is still in the collection.
- `Delete collection` — asks for confirmation.

To take one piece out, swipe its row and choose `Remove from collection`. This removes membership only; the score stays in your library. Deleting a whole collection likewise leaves every score in place.

To reorder or delete collections themselves, use `Edit` in the header of the `Collections` list, or swipe a collection row.

## Set a tuning and ambience preset

Every piece opened from a collection inherits that collection's reference pitch and acoustic setting. [Follow](/docs/follow/overview) uses them to set its expectations for background noise and reverb tail — useful when one list is your baroque programme at A = 415 and another is rehearsed in a resonant church.

1. Open the collection, then choose `…` > `Tuning preset…`.
2. Set `Reference pitch` with the slider (400–460 Hz) or a preset: `415 Hz`, `430 Hz`, `432 Hz`, `440 Hz`, `442 Hz`, `444 Hz`. 440 Hz is concert pitch; 415 Hz is the baroque reference.
3. Choose an ambience: `Studio (dry)`, `Room (medium)`, `Concert hall`, `Cathedral (lush)`, or `Outdoor / open air`.
4. Select `Save`.

## Share a collection

> **Beta** Sharing currently sends a link that identifies the collection, not the scores themselves. Recipients can open it once collection hosting ships.

1. In the `Collections` list, tap the share icon on a collection's row (or swipe the row and choose `Share`).
2. Pick a visibility: `Private`, `Unlisted` (only people with the link), or `Shared` (people with the link can view and add pieces).
3. Select `Share Collection` and choose a destination in the system share sheet. The message contains the collection's name, piece count, description, and link.

> **Limit** A collection link is not a transfer or a backup. It does not carry the score files, and visibility settings take effect only once hosting is live. To give someone the music itself, share the file from the piece's Properties; to protect your own library, use [iCloud backup or a ZIP export](/docs/library/sync).

## Collections on your other devices

Collection names, membership, order, folders, and tuning presets sync through the app's private iCloud data when you are signed in to iCloud, and merge with what each device already has. The score files travel separately, with [iCloud backup and sync](/docs/library/sync) — a synced collection lists a piece correctly only on devices that also hold that piece.
