Music Cataloging at Yale ♪ Subject 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 |
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Songs Oratorios Cantatas Masses |
Vocal trios, Unaccompanied Choruses Vocal duets with harp Sacred vocal ensembles |
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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 |
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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) |
Greek/Latin (Catholic) |
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: |
_________________________ 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 Songs (High voice) with |
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. |
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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 |
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) |
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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)
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)
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
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 |
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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": |
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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