FYI to all NACO catalogers:  This message appeared on the NACO-Music
listserv and I thought it was worth posting here too, apologies for the
duplication.
Ana Cristan

Subject: Cautionary tale on (Musical group) as qualifier

NMP colleagues,
    At Ralph's [Papakhian] request, and with the consent of Joe Bartl
[LC music cataloger-liaison], I have been asked to composer a reminder
regarding the use of the qualifier (Musical group).  Having noticed a
large number of discrepancies in the LC NAF recently, I investigated this
matter.

Here is the relevant LCRI, 24.4C:

    Performing groups
       In dealing with performing groups, apply the following:

(1)  If the name contains a word that specifically designates a performing
group or collective body in general (e.g., band, consort, society) or contains
a collective or plural noun (e.g., Ramblers, Boys, Hot Seven), do not add a
designation to the name
     ... [etc.]

    There are numerous NARs in the file which violate the second provision,
most of them appearing as MDRs.  For example: Carter Sisters (Musical group);
Voltage Brothers (Musical group); Down County Boys (Musical group); Apostle
Girls (Musical group).  (I had searched the words sisters, brothers, boys, and
girls in the NAF; perhaps you can think of others.)  LC has been aware of the
problem for some time, and there are plans to fix the headings.  (In the
meantime, I infer that the rest of us may correct any which we encounter in our
normal workflow; though that hasn't been stated, it would follow the usual
routine.)
     Another example is Kansas City Five (Musical group), recently corrected to
Kansas City Five, this type of name being reflected in the LCRI example above.
     Yet another case which I encountered today comprises headings with the
word Conjunto, which fits the first definition (specific designation of a
performing group): e.g. Conjunto America (Musical group), and various others
where the qualifier is incorrect.  (A few headings with Mariachi have been
corrected this year.)

     Ralph advised, of course, that there is also the case when there is a
collective noun that does not imply a corporate body, in which case the
qualifier is needed, e.g. Peanuts (Musical group).  This fits the second
condition under LCRI 24.4C, performing groups, and I dare say that we all
generally apply that correctly.
     My apologies if I have belabored the obvious.  It was helpful to me, at
any rate, to revisit this LCRI to see what it really says.
Thanks,
Chuck

Charles M. Herrold Jr. (Chuck)
Catalog Dept.
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
4400 Forbes Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 622-3143 (Cat. Dept.)
(412) 622-3109 (Music and Art Dept.)
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