A method and apparatus for automatically creating a play list from search criteria. A user inputs at least one search parameter for a store of music files. The player then builds a search query from the search parameter and any other search parameters entered. The query is stored in such a manner that the query is associated with a particular play list name. When the user desires to play that play list, the entry of the play list name causes the query to be executed and a list of objects is obtained. The list of objects may in turn contain other queries, which are then executed as well.