Bate Collection of Musical Instruments Tour for Alumni

Exclusive tour for alumni plus guest

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.

Experience the inaugural exhibition, ‘Resonant Histories’, curated by Dr Emanuela Vai, Head of the Bate Collection and Curator of Permanent Exhibition. This display invites you to discover musical instruments not just as objects, but as living connections across time - shaped by craft, culture, and sound.

Make the most of your visit by combining this tour with two concerts that bring together musicologist Professor Laura Tunbridge FBA, Heather Professor of Music and Faculty Board Chair, and the brilliant Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective. Part I takes place on at 5pm and Part II at 7.30pm. Booking is essential.

Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective: Making Chamber Music Part I

Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective: Making Chamber Music Part II