The Bate Collection

01/09/2026

We asked visitors what they thought of the new Bate Collection! Have you been? What did you think?

27/08/2026

The viola da gamba roughly translates as 'viol of the leg' and refers to the way in which the instrument is played. The viol has frets like a guitar, gut strings, sloped shoulders and a flat back.

19/08/2026

😂😂 The only colours we have here are acid free white and plastazote black.

Meet the Ud (Oud).

It is a pear-shaped, plucked string instrument with a rounded, bowl-shaped back and a wooden soundboard.

Its name comes from the Arabic al-'ud, meaning ' wood', possibly a referring to the wooden soundboard or the thin strips of wood used to make it's rounded body. It is a term that is thought to have distinguished it from instruments made from animal skin.

The oud is closely related to the European lute. The two instruments share a common history, and the oud influenced the development of the European lute.

This particular instrument was made in Lebanon by Bedrossian in the 20th century.

24/07/2026

https://www.worc.ox.ac.uk/news-events/news/royal-visit-to-new-bate-collection-exhibition

University of Oxford TORCH - The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities Bodleian Libraries Ashmolean Museum ICOM MUSIC European Commission Oxford Alumni

His Majesty King Charles III recently visited the Bate Collection of Musical Instruments, where he toured a new permanent exhibition, Resonant Histories: Material Culture, Sound and Craft, curated by Worcester’s Senior Research Fellow and Head of Research (Humanities), Dr Emanuela Vai.

12/07/2026

A Royal Visit to the Bate Collection!
We were delighted to welcome His Majesty King Charles III to the Bate, with representatives Head of GLAM (Gardens, Libraries and Museums), (Chair of Faculty Board & Heather Chair) and (Head of Collections & Curator) Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities
From rare keyboards to beautifully crafted instruments with fascinating histories, the visit was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Bate Collection and the important role museums play in preserving and sharing our music heritage.
It was an honour to welcome His Majesty, and we extend our thanks to everyone who helped make this memorable occasion possible.
University of Oxford Faculty of Music, University of Oxford Faculty of History Bodleian Libraries Ashmolean Museum Pitt Rivers Museum History of Science Museum Oxford University Museum of Natural History Balliol College, Oxford TORCH - The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities .in.uk

12/07/2026

A Royal Visit to the Bate Collection!

We were delighted to welcome His Majesty King Charles III to the Bate, with representatives Ovenden, Head of GLAM (Gardens, Libraries and Museums), (Chair of Faculty Board & Heather Chair) and Vai (Head of Collections & Curator) Centre for the Humanities

From rare keyboards to beautifully crafted instruments with fascinating histories, the visit was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Bate Collection and the important role museums play in preserving and sharing our music heritage.

It was an honour to welcome His Majesty, and we extend our thanks to everyone who helped make this memorable occasion possible.

More pics soon!

Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities Faculty of Music, Faculty of History University of Oxford Oxford Alumni University of Oxford Faculty of History University of Oxford college Worcester College, Oxford Balliol College, Oxford Mail ICOM MUSIC

The Royal Family

18/05/2026

"Museums are more than spaces of preservation—they are trusted public spaces where people encounter stories, objects, and one another. In times of social fragmentation, polarisation, and unequal access to knowledge and culture, museums help rebuild connections across generations, communities, and borders.

Rather than erasing differences, museums create the conditions in which they can be understood and respected. By safeguarding heritage and memory, offering opportunities for learning and reflection, and providing welcoming spaces for diverse voices, museums foster dialogue, inclusion, and peace." -International Council of Museums

24/04/2026

23/04/2026

We can’t wait to welcome you to our opening day on the 25th April 2026! Be among the first to experience our new permanent exhibition, ‘Resonant Histories’, curated by

https://www.bate.ox.ac.uk/event/bate-collection-opening

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)
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)
Location: Bate Collection of Musical Instruments

15:25 – 15:30
Performance: Historical Violin
Samuel Cole (Undergraduate Student, Music)
Location: 1st floor balcony/Great Hall

15:45 – 16:00
Performance: Harmonium
Saad Barcha (Graduate Student, Music)
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

Special thanks to our wonderful team for their dedication and hard work in making this possible—especially Leander Wells, Isabelle Carré, and our volunteers!

Part of Open House at the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, a free festival day of performances and events open to everyone.

23/04/2026

Welcome to the new !

We can’t wait to welcome you to our opening day on the 25th April 2026! Be among the first to experience our new permanent exhibition, ‘Resonant Histories: Material Culture, Sound and Craft', curated by Emanuela Vai

https://www.bate.ox.ac.uk/event/bate-collection-opening

Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities Faculty of Music, University of Oxford Faculty of History TORCH - The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities University of Oxford European Commission Worcester College, Oxford Ashmolean Museum Pitt Rivers Museum University of Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum