Free entry, no registration required
11:15 – 11:30
Welcome to the Inaugural Exhibition: Resonant Histories
Dr Emanuela Vai (Curator of Permanent Exhibition and Head of the Bate Collection, Head of Research and Senior Fellow, Worcester College, University of Oxford)
Location: Bate Collection of Musical Instruments
11:45 – 12:00
Performance: Historical Keyboards
Maria Razumovskaya (Director of Performance)
Location: Bate Collection of Musical Instruments
12:30 – 13:00
Performance: Historical Horns
Anneke Scott (Internationally leading exponent of historical horn playing)
Location: Bate Collection of Musical Instruments
The Bate Collection of Musical Instruments reopens on 25 April 2026, marking the launch of its new permanent exhibition.
The collection brings together instruments from the Medieval and Renaissance periods through to the present day, including string, woodwind, brass, percussion, and keyboard instruments from across the world. Many of these are not just on display, they are still played by students and professional musicians as part of teaching and performance. The Bate supports research-led performance and teaching at the University of Oxford, with activity ranging from exhibitions and events to hands-on sessions and academic research. Visitors will be among the first to experience Resonant Histories, curated by Dr Emanuela Vai (Curator of the Permanent Exhibition and Head of the Bate Collection; Senior Fellow and Head of Research, Worcester College, University of Oxford). The exhibition focuses on how instruments are made, used, and heard, and how their meanings change over time.
As part of Open House, visitors can explore:
- Live performances throughout the building
- Opportunities to handle selected instruments
- An introduction to Resonant Histories
- Presentations on current research projects
This is a chance to experience the collection in action and encounter instruments at close range.
Part of Open House at the a free festival day of performances and events, open to all.
Programme:
https://www.bate.ox.ac.uk/event/bate-collection-opening
https://www.schwarzmancentre.ox.ac.uk/whats-on/bate-collection-of-musica...
