Sopran

As Printed on a Score

Labels the soprano staff in German choral and vocal scores — Sopran, or Sopran I and II when divided — abbreviated S. or Sopr. on later systems. In a choir it is the top staff of the Chor bracket, above Alt, Tenor and Bass; a soloist’s staff is marked Solo or Sopran-Solo.

Abbreviations: S., Sopr., Sop.

How Composers Use It

The highest voice, written in treble clef; a comfortable choral range runs from about middle C to the G or A above the treble staff, with solo sopranos going higher. German Sopran also prefixes instrument names (Sopransaxophon) and names the soprano clef (Sopranschlüssel), the C clef on the bottom line found in older vocal scores — so check whether the word names a voice, an instrument or a clef.

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