Creating sound files

I need to create a database-driven web site which will include short
(one-minute or so) sound clips of recently-composed pieces of music.  I've
never worked with sound before, so this is completely new to me.  In this
case, the commissioning organization will be providing me with CDs or DATs
of the works and I'll have to be responsible for getting them into some
sort of web-useable format.  What's the best format for something like this
-- wav?  MP3? -- and what software should I be looking at?  Any words of
wisdom will be greatly appreciated!

M. Casey

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