Selecting the Music

In some cases the teacher may select and order the program, but in most cases the singer will be responsible for planning the recital in conjunction with the teacher or coach. Program building can be approached in several different ways. Many student recitals attempt to show the versatility of the singer by choosing literature typically from the 17th century to the present and in four or five of the major European languages. The historical recital may focus on a particular time or style period such as the Italian Baroque or German Romantic periods. The recital may be constructed around a single composer or school of composition, around songs with texts by a certain author or poet, or around texts with a similar subject.

Online Catalog

The catalog can be a useful tool to begin program building. It is possible to limit searches to a specific vocal range or language.

Subject headings

The subject heading, "Songs," is used with various subdivisions for both printed music and books about songs. Art songs are given this subject heading followed by the vocal range and accompanying instrumentation, e.g.

Songs (High voice)

Songs (Medium voice)

Songs (Low voice)

The designation, "Arranged," following a subject heading means that the piece was originally written for another instrumental combination. The extension, "with instrumental ensemble," is used for any accompanying chamber ensemble of two or more instruments. Currently, there is no way to search for more specific vocal ranges such as tenor, soprano, or bass except through keyword searching--although this should be used with caution since the exact vocal range is not always present in the cataloging records. These subject headings will retrieve books, printed music, and recordings. To limit a search to only one type, modify the search by choosing from the type of material pull-down menu. There is also a pull-down menu for language if you wish to limit your search to a specific language.

Other searches that will provide useful literature for recital programs are:

Oratorios

Sacred songs

Solo cantatas, Sacred

Solo cantatas, Secular

Vocalises

Popular songs and jazz in various genres can be found under :

Musicals

Popular music

Rock music

Composers

Songs by individual composers can be found by searching under that composer's name in the catalog. Collections of songs by a composer are given a uniform title, Songs, e.g.,

Wolf Hugo, 1860-1903. Songs

The large sets of the complete works of composers are often overlooked as sources for the music of songs. Nonetheless, the complete works may be the only source for some lesser-known songs. For example,

Schumann, Robert, 1810-1856. Works

Repertory Guides and Bibliographies of Songs

Repertory lists are another approach to finding songs that may make a good recital. These guides typically indicate the language, date or period of composition, vocal range and/or tessitura, and sometimes the level of difficulty. To find these guides in the library, use the subject headings:

Sacred vocal music--Bibliography

It is also possible to browse the call numbers corresponding to bibliographies of songs and vocal music:

ML128.V7 Bibliographies of vocal music

After locating songs in the repertory list, use the catalog to see if the library has the song. The following books are some examples of some of the better-known guides.

Coffin, Berton. Singer's Repertoire. 2nd ed. New York: Scarecrow, 1960. Ref ML128.V7 C67 1960 Espina, Noni. Repertoire for the Solo Voice: A Fully Annotated Guide to Works for the Solo Voice Published in Modern Editions and Covering Material from the 13th Century to the Present. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow, 1977. Ref ML128.S3 E8 Kagen, Sergius.

Music for the Voice: A Descriptive List of Concert and Teaching Material. Rev. ed. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1968. Ref ML128.V7 K3 1968

Lists and bibliographies of songs are more comprehensive in their coverage, but do not generally include qualitative information about songs. These are some examples:

Carman, Judith E., William K. Gaeddert, and Rita M. Resch. Art-Song in the United States, 1801-1976: An Annotated Bibliography. New York: National Association of Teachers of Singing, 1976. Ref ML120.U5 C37 Classical Vocal Music in Print. Music-in-Print Series, v. 4. Philadelphia: Musicdata, 1976-. Ref ML118.MB3 v.4
v. 4. Ed. by Thomas R. Nardone, 1976.
v. 4s: 1985 Supplement. Ed. by Gary S. Eslinger and F. Mark Daugherty, 1986.
v. 4t: 1995 Supplement. Ed. by F. Mark Daugherty, 1995
v. 4x: Master Index 1995. Dunlap, Kay, and Barbara Wincester. Vocal Chamber Music: A Performer's Guide. New York: Garland, 1985. Ref ML128.V7 D86 1985 Klaus, Kenneth Sheldon. Chamber Music for Solo Voice and Instruments, 1960-1989: An Annotated Guide. Berkeley, Calif.: Fallen Leaf Press, c1994. Fallen Leaf reference books in music, no. 29 Ref. ML128.S3 K55 1994 Laster, James H. Catalogue of Vocal Solos and Duets Arranged in Biblical Order. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow, 1984. Ref 128.S3 L38 1984 Lust, Patricia. American Vocal Chamber Music, 1945-1980: An Annotated Bibliography. The Music Reference Collection, no. 4. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood, 1985. Ref ML128.V7 L8 1985 Stewart-Green, Miriam.

Women Composers: A Checklist for the Solo Voice. A Reference Publication in Women's Studies. Boston: G.K. Hall, 1980. Ref ML12S.V7 S83