Collection of Historic Musical Instruments

The collection now comprises some 308 instruments: European wind, strings and keyboard; Non-European wind, strings and percussion. It includes a number of keyboards by Broadwood; viols by Barak Norman, De Salo and Collingwood; violins by Stradivarius and Guarnerius together with some wind instruments from the 18th and early 19th centuries. The items of non-European ethnic origin are also of interest.

Catalogue of the Collection

The catalogue of the collection is to be published in March 2010 to coincide with the 'The Virtuoso Violin: RNCM Violin Weekend'. The book will be launched at an event on Sunday 14 March, 2.00pm. For more information about the catalogue contact Anna Wright (details below).

Visit the RNCM Collection of Historic Musical Instruments

The Collection is open to visitors prior to some concerts and during special events such as festivals  - for details of these general dates see below. It is also open at other times by appointment; specialist researchers and group visits can be accommodated with notice and by appointment – please contact Anna Wright, Librarian, on T 0161 907 5241 or E This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it  

When you can visit the Collection

March

Thursday 11 March, 12 noon>1pm

The Virtuoso Violin: RNCM Violin Weekend

Friday 12 March, 6pm>7.15pm
Saturday 13 March, 1pm>2pm
Sunday 14 March, 12.45pm>1.45pm

Thursday 18 March, 12 noon>1pm

Thursday 25 March 12 noon>1pm

Location of the Collection

The Collection is located in the basement of the Library part of the College building (to the left of the main entrance on Booth Street West). It can be accessed using the staircase behind the Box Office or by the lift situated opposite the Library door. Please note that outside advertised opening hours access is restricted. For information on the location of the College see the Find Us page