Subject headings for vocal music

Music Cataloging at YaleSubject cataloging

See also: Subject headings for instrumental music | Subject subdivisions and qualifiers for music subject headings | Coding for form and topic subdivisions

Instrumental accompaniment of vocal works | Subject headings for liturgical works
Works for one voice with or without accompaniment: Songs | Accompaniment | Solo cantatas | Accompaniment
Works for two or more voices, one to a part with or without accompaniment: Accompaniment
Works for two or more voices, two or more to a part with or without accompaniment: Choruses | Accompaniment | Cantatas | Accompaniment | Oratorios | Accompaniment
Unaccompanied works
Musicals and revues
Arrangements
Qualifying by language of text


Vocal music is assigned form headings or medium of performance headings just as instrumental music is.

Form headings

Medium of performance headings
 
Songs
Oratorios
Cantatas
Masses
Vocal trios, Unaccompanied
Choruses
Vocal duets with harp
Sacred vocal ensembles
 
Form heading are usually qualified by medium of performance (vocal range or vocal grouping) unless it is implied:
Choruses (Mixed voices) no vocal group is implied; it must be stated  
Songs (High voice) no vocal range is implied; it must be stated  
Masses chorus is implied  
Subject headings for vocal music may also indicate:
number of voices: Choruses, Secular (Mixed voices, 4 parts)  
type of accompaniment: _________________________ with piano
Unaccompanied
 
secular or sacred use: Choruses, Secular
Songs [secular is implied]
Vocal trios [secular is implied]
Secular oratorios
Choruses, Sacred
Sacred songs
Sacred vocal trios
Oratorios [sacred is implied]

Medium of performance headings are not assigned to works that are

  • not composed in a specific form of composition
    OR
  • in a form of composition not in LCSH
    OR
  • when the form heading in LCSH (eg. Psalms (Music)) is not to be qualified by medium of performance.

[» Note: It is not LCSH practice to bring out the medium of performance in the majority of headings assigned to popular music.]

Subject headings for liturgical music are added when applicable. Most are given in the singular, with no medium of performance:
Holy-week music.
Magnificat (Music)
Nunc dimittis (Music)
Song of Solomon (Music)
Christmas music.
These headings can also be assigned to instrumental music.

The subject heading "Psalms (Music)" is given in the plural, with no medium of performance. When appropriate, subdivide the heading by the specific psalm:
650 0 Psalms (Music) ‡v 23rd Psalm

The numbering in subject headings for psalms follows the Authorized version (e.g., the Hebrew and Protestant Bible) and to the table under BS1450 in the LC Classification schedule. Wikipedia gives a summary:

  • Catholic official liturgical texts follow the Greek numbering, but modern Catholic translations often use the Hebrew numbering, sometimes adding, in parenthesis the Greek numbering as well.
  • Eastern Orthodox translations are based on the Greek numbering.
  • Protestant translations are based on the Hebrew numbering.

Hebrew (and Protestant)
numbering

Greek/Latin (Catholic)
numbering (also referred to as "vulgate")

1–8
9-10
11-113
114-115
116
117-146
147
148-150
1–8
9
10–112
113
114–115
116–145
146–147
148–150

Instrumental accompaniment of vocal works
A single instrument is named following the word "with": _________________________ with accordion
_________________________ with violoncello
The name of two of the same keyboard instrument follows the word "with" and is qualified with "(2)": _________________________ with pianos (2)
_________________________ with harpsichords (2)

Use "keyboard instrument ensemble" when there are two different keyboard instruments:
Note: previous practice was to name each, in alphabetical order:
_________________________ with organ and piano

_________________________ with keyboard instrument ensemble
When there are
» two or more of the same non-keyboard instrument
OR
» two or more non-keyboard instruments from the same instrumental family
use the instrumental family name followed by "ensemble":
_________________________ with string ensemble
This would include string quartets, quintets, etc.
_________________________ with woodwind ensemble
This would include woodwind quartets, quintets, etc.
When there are two or more instruments from different instrumental families (one to a part), use "instrumental ensemble": _________________________ with instrumental ensemble
When there are two or more instruments from different instrumental families (two or more to a part), use the name of the ensemble: _________________________ with orchestra
_________________________ with band
When there are two or more of the same solo instruments (one to a part), use the name of that instrument followed by "ensemble": _________________________ with violoncello ensemble

Works for one voice with or without accompaniment See also Songs vs. solo cantatas

Songs
The heading "Songs" implies secular; for sacred works use "Sacred songs". Note that "Sacred songs" is not in inverted order Songs
Sacred songs
The range of the solo voice, when known, is indicated as high, medium, or low.

Even if the specific voice type is known, it is not designated in a subject heading, unlike in a uniform title, in which either specific voice type or vocal range may be indicated.

Songs (High voice)
Sacred songs (Low voice)
Other forms
  Variations (Voice ...)
Accompaniment
Unaccompanied
Unaccompanied songs are qualified as such: Songs (Medium voice), Unaccompanied
Accompanied
Accompaniment is indicated by the phrase "with __________."
Accompaniment of one instrument: Songs (High voice) with piano
Sacred songs (Low voice) with violoncello
Accompaniment of one to two keyboard instruments: Songs (High voice) with pianos (2)
Sacred songs (Medium voice) with organs (2)
Accompaniment of one keyboard instrument and one non-keyboard instrument OR
two or more non-keyboard instruments is indicated as "instrumental ensemble"
"Instrumental ensemble" could mean piano and violin; or flute and harp; or string quartet; or four horns. Indicating each would be incorrect:
Songs (High voice) with instrumental ensemble
Variations (Voice with instrumental ensemble)
Songs (High voice) with piano and harp
Songs (High voice) with string quartet
Solo cantatas
The heading "Solo cantatas" implies neither secular nor sacred.
Both must be indicated, and the headings are in inverted form.
Solo cantatas, Secular
Solo cantatas, Sacred
The range of the solo voice, when known, is indicated as high, medium, or low.

Even if the specific voice type is known, it is not designated in a subject heading.

Solo cantatas, Secular (High voice)
Solo cantatas, Sacred (Low voice)
Accompaniment
Accompaniment for solo cantatas is not indicated in the subject heading.

Works for two or more voices, one to a part See also Vocal ensembles

Form headings
These are some of the form headings for works for two or more solo voices:
Part songs
The heading "Part songs" implies secular.
For sacred works use "Part songs, Sacred." Note that it is in inverted order
Part songs
Part songs, Sacred
For secular Part songs all in one language, qualify the heading by that language. Part songs, English
Latin is implied in the heading "Part songs, Sacred" Part songs, Sacred not: Part songs, Sacred, Latin
For sacred Part songs in other languages are assigned 2 headings: Part songs, Sacred
Part songs, English
Specific forms of Part songs
These headings may also be used for works for choral ensemble (two or more voices, two or more to a part).
Accompaniment is not indicated in subject headings for Part songs or any of the specific types of Part songs.
Secular: Polyphonic chansons
Sacred: Motets
Anthems
Other forms
Canons, fugues, etc. (Vocal quartet)
Medium of performance headings
The headings "Vocal duets," "Vocal trios," "Vocal quartets," etc. are used for groups of two to nine solo voices. For ten or more solo voices, use "Vocal ensembles." Neither the vocal range nor voice type is designated. These headings imply secular works. For sacred works, use "Sacred vocal duets," "Sacred vocal trios," "Sacred vocal quartets," etc., and "Sacred vocal ensembles"
Secular: Vocal duets
Vocal quintets
Vocal ensembles
Sacred: Sacred vocal duets
Sacred vocal quintets
Sacred vocal ensembles
Accompaniment
Unaccompanied works are qualified as such: Vocal duets, Unaccompanied
Sacred vocal quintets, Unaccompanied
Sacred vocal ensembles, Unaccompanied
Accompaniment is indicated by the phrase "with __________."
Accompaniment of one instrument: Vocal sextets with piano
Sacred vocal quartets with harp
Vocal ensembles with guitar
Accompaniment of one to two keyboard instruments: Sacred vocal trios with pianos (2)
Vocal quartets with harpsichords (2)
Accompaniment of one keyboard instrument and one non-keyboard instrument OR
two or more non-keyboard instruments is indicated as "instrumental ensemble"
"Instrumental ensemble" could mean piano and violin; or flute and harp; or string quartet; or four horns. Indicating each would be incorrect:
Vocal trios with instrumental ensemble
Vocal trios with piano and harp

Works for two or more voices, two or more to a part See also Choruses vs. cantatas

Choruses See also Those darn chorus subject headings!
The heading "Choruses" implies neither secular nor sacred and is used without designation of secular or sacred for collections of both secular and sacred works.
For individual works or collections that are either secular or sacred, the term "secular" or "sacred" is added to the heading, in inverted form.
Collections for more than one voice grouping which do not all have the same accompaniment:
Do not add:
   voice grouping
   number of voices
   accompaniment
Do not consider solo voices in formulating subject headings for choruses.
Choruses, Secular
Choruses, Sacred
Single works and collections for one voice grouping:
Add:
   voice grouping
      mixed voices, women's voices, men's voices, children's voices,
      equal voices, unison [not unison voices]
   number of voices may be added.
Do not consider solo voices in formulating subject headings for choruses.
Choruses, Secular (Mixed voices)
Choruses, Secular (Equal voices)
Choruses, Sacred (Children's voices)
Number of voices is indicated only when these conditions apply:
a. 8 parts or fewer
AND
b. accompaniment of either
   one instrument (i.e., piano, violoncello, harp, etc.)
   two of the same keyboard instrument
   continuo
OR
c. unaccompanied
Choruses, Secular (Women's voices, 4 parts) with piano


Choruses, Sacred (Men's voices, 4 parts) with pianos (2)

Choruses, Secular (Children's voices, 3 parts), Unaccompanied.

Accompaniment
Unaccompanied choruses are qualified as such: Choruses, Secular (Mixed voices, 4 parts), Unaccompanied
Choruses, Sacred (Men's voices), Unaccompanied
Accompaniment is indicated by the phrase "with __________." Choruses, Sacred (Women's voices) with piano
Choruses with organ
Choruses, Secular (Mixed voices, 4 parts) with violoncello
Accompaniment of one or two of the same keyboard instrument: Choruses, Sacred (Men's voices, 5 parts) with pianos (2))
Accompaniment of two different keyboard instruments (indicated as "keyboard instrument ensemble"): Choruses, Sacred (Men's voices) with keyboard instrument ensemble
Accompaniment of one keyboard instrument and one non-keyboard instrument OR
two or more non-keyboard instruments is indicated as "instrumental ensemble"
"Instrumental ensemble" could mean piano and violin; or flute and harp; or string quartet; or four horns. Indicating each would be incorrect; use "keyboard instrument ensemble" for two or more different keyboard instruments.
The number of vocal parts is not indicated when the accompaniment is two or more instruments (other than two of the same keyboard instrument or continuo)
Choruses, Secular (Mixed voices) with instrumental ensemble
Choruses, Sacred (Children's voices) with instrumental ensemble
Cantatas
The heading "Cantatas" implies neither secular nor sacred and is used without designation of secular or sacred for collections of both secular and sacred works.
For individual works or collections that are either secular or sacred, the term "secular" or "sacred" is added to the heading, in inverted form.
Collections for mixed voices or for more than one voice grouping and
Single works for mixed voices
Cantatas, Secular
Cantatas, Sacred
Single works and collections for one voice grouping other than mixed voices
Add:
   voice grouping (other than "mixed voices")
      women's voices, men's voices, children's voices,
      equal voices, unison [not unison voices]
The number of voices is not designated in subject headings for cantatas.
Cantatas, Secular (Women's voices)
Cantatas, Sacred (Unison)
Accompaniment
Type of accompaniment or lack of accompaniment is not designated in subject headings for cantatas.
Oratorios
The heading "Oratorios" implies a sacred text. The heading is used without the designation "sacred."
For oratorios with secular texts, use "Secular oratorios." Unlike the subject headings for choruses and cantatas, the heading is in direct order (not "Oratorios, Secular)
Vocal grouping (mixed voices, women's voices, etc.) is not indicated in subject headings for oratorios.
Accompaniment
Type of accompaniment or lack of accompaniment is not designated in subject headings for oratorios.
Works with accompaniment reduced for a keyboard instrument include the subject subdivision
"Vocal scores with ..."
Oratorios ‡v Vocal scores with organ
Secular oratorios ‡v Vocal scores with piano
Other forms
Works in a specific form are assigned with the medium of performance "Chorus" added. Canons, fugues, etc. (Chorus ...)
Waltzes (Chorus ...)
Polkas (Chorus ...)
Accompaniment
Unaccompanied works are not indicated as such:


Accompaniment is indicated by the phrase "with __________."
Canons, fugues, etc. (Chorus)
Rondos (Chorus)
Waltzes (Chorus)
Polkas (Chorus with orchestra)
Waltzes (Chorus with piano)
Waltzes (Chorus with piano, 4 hands)

equal voices: voices of the same type when employed in a polyphonic work, e.g., all sopranos or all tenors; sometimes also merely all male or all female (New Harvard Dictionary of Music)


Unaccompanied works

The qualifier "unaccompanied" is used with vocal music subject headings except for with these forms: cantatas, musicals, operas, oratorios or with subject headings in which lack of accompaniment is already implied (e.g., Canons, fugues, etc. (Voices (3))

Do not add "Unaccompanied" to parenthetical qualifiers in headings of this type (for two or more solo voices) when voice is the sole medium of performance (H1917.5, 8)


Musicals and revues

Musical: a theatrical production consisting of musical numbers (songs, ensembles, and dances) integrated into a dramatic framework
Revue: a theatrical production featuring a series of songs, dances, and other entertainments without any unifying dramatic element


Arrangements

The qualifier "Arranged" is not used with vocal music subject headings.
The subject heading is assigned for the medium into which the work has been arranged.

A work originally for high voice and harp, arranged for voice and piano:
Correct: Songs (High voice) with piano
Incorrect: Songs (High voice) with piano, Arranged.

A work originally for chorus and orchestra; arranged for chorus and organ
Correct: Choruses, Sacred (Mixed voices) with orchestra ‡v Vocal scores with organ.
Incorrect: Choruses, Sacred (Mixed voices) with organ, Arranged.

However, LC is using "Arranged" in the subject heading "Oratorios":
An oratorio with accompaniment originally for piano or organ, arranged for orchestra
Oratorios, Arranged.

Qualifying by language of text

Source: LC Subject Cataloging Manual H 1916.3

Vocal works are qualified by the language of the text when they are:

  • entirely or chiefly ballads, folk songs, children's songs, or songs
  • in the original language
  • in one or two languages
    • when three or more languages all from the same language group are involved, add the name of that language group [e.g., Scandanavian, Slavic, etc.]

Vocal works are not qualified by the language of the text when they:

  • imply national emphasis
  • are translations
  • are in three or more languages from different language groups