Free entry, no registration required
Welcome to the new Bate Collection of Musical Instruments! Home to musical objects from the Medieval and Renaissance periods to the present day.
Spanning centuries and reaching across the globe, the Bate includes examples of string, woodwind, brass, percussion, and keyboard instruments. Here, history is not silent: many instruments are still played by students and musicians, bringing their voices vividly to life.
A unique treasure in the national and international landscape, it represents a key resource for research-led performance and study for Oxford students, scholars, and musicians. Through exhibitions, events, teaching and research, the Bate Collection invites visitors to experience the rich material and sonic heritage of our historical instruments.
Be among the first to experience our new permanent exhibition, ‘Resonant Histories’, curated by Dr Emanuela Vai (Head of the Bate Collection and Curator of Permanent Exhibition). This new display invites you to discover musical instruments not just as objects, but as living connections across time - shaped by craft, culture, and sound.
At Open House, you are welcome to explore our:
- Performances: live events throughout the building
- Education and Teaching: interactive education and handling sessions with selected instruments
- Curation: a first look at ‘Resonant Histories’ and its exploration of sound, material, and craft
- Research: showcase of current research projects
Whether you are a music lover, history enthusiast, or simply curious, this is your chance to experience instruments up close and hear the past come to life. Come and experience the sound of history in motion.
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
13:25 – 13:30
Performance: Beale Trumpet
Zack Di Lello (Graduate Student, Music, University of Oxford)
Location: Great Hall (1st floor balcony)
13:35 – 14:00
Audio-Visual Performance
Appau Junior Boakye-Yiadom (Artist in Residence, Bate Collection & Museum of Modern Art)
Location: Bate Collection of Musical Instruments
14:00 – 15:00
Object Handling Drop-in Session: Play Some of Our Instruments!
Isabelle Carré (Education and Outreach Officer, Bate Collection, University of Oxford)
Location: Bate Collection of Musical Instruments
15:25 – 15:30
Performance: Historical ViolinUniversity
Samuel Cole (Undergraduate Student, Music, University of Oxford)
Location: 1st floor balcony/Great Hall
15:45 – 16:00
Performance: Harmonium
Saad Barcha (Graduate Student, MusicUniversity of Oxford)
Location: Bate Collection of Musical Instruments
16:15 – 16:25
Performance: Hurdy-Gurdy
Matthew Spring (Independent Artist)
Location: Great Hall
16:25 – 16:40
Performance: Hurdy-Gurdy
Matthew Spring (Independent Artist)
Location: Bate Collection
17:00 – 17:30
Performance: Theremin
Lydia Kavina (Internationally renowned thereminist)
Location: Bate Collection of Musical Instruments
Part of Open House at the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, a free festival day of performances and events open to everyone.
