The categories in SC 220 were determined by performing medium or subject matter, not by musical style.  Thus, SC 220-B contains recordings of vocal groups, performing in any of the above gospel or Contemporary Christian musical styles.  The one exception is SC 220-K, which contains recordings of vocal soloists or groups performing in black gospel style.  Catalogers have attempted to distinguish the various gospel or CCM musical styles in the bibliographic descriptions of the individual recordings; however, clear distinctions were not always possible, since there is often considerable overlap among the various musical styles.

SC 220-A contains recordings of vocal soloists or duos.  SC 220-B contains recordings of vocal groups with three or more members, and that have a distinctive group name.  SC 220-C contains recordings of instrumental settings of gospel songs or hymns, either for solo instrument (such as piano or organ) or for instrumental soloist with accompaniment of orchestra or instrumental ensemble.  SC 220-D contains recordings of instrumental settings of gospel songs or hymns for group or ensemble.  SC 220-E contains recordings of gospel musicals and cantatas, i.e., multi-movement works on a single idea or theme, for use in a worship service or concert, and which could be staged.  SC 220-F contains recordings of musical soundtracks from motion pictures produced by various evangelical organizations, e.g., World Wide Pictures and Gospel Films.  SC 220-G contains recordings by soloists or groups that are identifiably associated with the Roman Catholic church or Roman Catholic organizations.  These recordings are in urban folk or popular music influenced musical styles.  SC 220-H contains recordings in white gospel style by identifiably non-white ethnic groups, e.g., World Vision’s Korean Orphan Choir.  There is no SC 220-I, to avoid potential confusion with SC 220-1 [numeral one].  SC 220-J contains recordings by identifiably messianic Jewish soloists or groups.  SC 220-K contains recordings of vocal soloists or groups performing in black gospel styles.  SC 220-L contains recordings of gospel music intended for children, either for personal listening, or for use in Sunday school or church school environments.  SC 220-M contains compilations of various gospel songs and hymns with instrumental accompaniment that are intended as “singalong” recordings, or as an adjunct for group singing.  Some of these recordings have separate vocal and instrumental stereo tracks.  SC 220-N contains recordings of vocal groups that are identifiably associated with Christian organizations, e.g., churches, Christian colleges, seminaries, and Bible colleges.  There is no SC 220-O, to avoid potential confusion with SC 220-0 [numeral zero].  SC 220-P contains recordings that are anthologies or samplers, containing vocal and instrumental music by various soloists or groups.  These were issued by various recording companies that specialized in gospel music, such as Word Records or Singspiration.  SC 220-R contains spoken-word recordings, primarily sermons or talks intended for specific audiences, or radio programs.