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Score Call Numbers in the Music Library: Sacred Music

How to read M call numbers, M call number browsing, class M outline, and guides for specific genres of music
Last Updated: Oct 2, 2019 3:13 PM

Overview

Below are common class numbers for sacred music: solo songs and solo cantatas, vocal chamber works, hymns, liturgical works, and chant. Instrumental-only works, such as organ music that could be used in church services, are classed by the particular instrument.

Solo Songs, Cantatas, and Choruses

Sacred solo songs and solo cantatas are classed in M75 (solo voice) or M76 (vocal ensemble). Sacred choruses and cantatas are classed in M85 and M86.

Solo voices: Common M75 and M76 class numbers:

75

Sacred songs, solo voice, with piano or other solo instrument

750

Sacred songs, solo voice, unaccompanied

75019

Sacred songs, solo voice, with continuo

75019=01

Sacred songs, solo voice with continuo realized

7505

Sacred songs, solo voice with chamber ensemble accompaniment

7505=01

Sacred songs, solo voice with chamber ensemble accompaniment arranged for piano (vocal scores)

7506

Sacred songs, solo voice with orchestra accompaniment

7506=01

Sacred songs, solo voice with orchestra accompaniment arranged for piano (vocal scores)

76

Sacred songs, voice ensemble (one singer per part), with piano or other solo instrument

Choruses: Common M85 and M86 class numbers.

85

Sacred choral works with more than one movement, original accompaniment

85

Collections of various sacred choral works, any accompaniment

85=01

Sacred choral works with more than one movement, accompaniment arranged for piano or organ (vocal scores)

850

Sacred choral works with more than one movement, unaccompanied

86

Single choral works in single movements, original accompaniment, or collections or works in those categories

86=01

Single choral works in single movements, accompaniment arranged for piano or organ (vocal scores)

860

Single sacred choruses and collections, unaccompanied, or collections or works in those categories. Includes motets.

Hymns

Hymns are classed in M88. General hymns are classed in M88. Hymns of specific religions or denominations are grouped together using brackets. Treat numbers in brackets like decimals.

88[16]

Syrian Orthodox Church

88[19]

Orthodox Eastern Churches, all branches of the Eastern church

88[2]

Roman Catholic Church

88[3]

Anglican and American Protestant Episcopal

88[34]

early Church of England

88[4]

Lutheran

88[42]

Calvinist

88[46]

Moravian

88[5]

Presbyterian, Reform, Congregational

88[51]

Presbyterian in America

88[52]

Presbyterian in Great Britain

88[6]

Rural southern U.S. hymnody

88[66]

Christian Foundation, Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ

88[76]

Methodist

88[78]

Southern Baptist

88[8]

Unitarian

88[96]

Jewish

88[97]

Mennonite

Liturgical Works

Liturgical works are classed in M87. These include masses, mass excerpts, requiems, communion services, Easter services, and other sacred works for service use.

87

Liturgical choral works with original accompaniment

87=01

Liturgical choral works with original accompaniment arranged for keyboard (vocal scores)

870

Liturgical choral works without accompaniment

87[96]

Jewish sacred service music

Chant

Chants are classed in M89. Specific religions or denominations are grouped together using brackets. Treat numbers in brackets like decimals.

89[16]

Syrian Orthodox Church, Jacobite Church

89[19]

Eastern Orthodox Churches, all branches of the Eastern church

89[2]

Roman Catholic Church

89[3]

Anglican and American Protestant Episcopal

89[4]

Lutheran

89[55]

Ethiopian Orthodox

89[943]

Buddhist

89[96]

Jewish

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