Mysteriously hidden under the prestigious Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) on Oxford Road is a museum that most Mancs would never have realised was there… until now. The RNCM Collection of Historic Musical Instruments comprises in excess of 300 instruments and musical curiosities, and its strict opening hours are widening for this week only thanks to The National Lottery’s Open Week.
Just for National Lottery Players, the RNCM’s hidden instrument museum will be opening for special tours, on March 11 and 13. Between 1.30pm-4.30pm each afternoon, you can discover 500 years of musical instrument making from all over the world. From the Italian Renaissance to England’s Victorian inventions and more, you can join Archive and Museum Manager Heather as she guides you through the ages without ever leaving Manchester.
The collection includes a number of keyboards by Broadwood; viols by Barak Norman and Collingwood; violins by Stradivarius and Guarnerius together with some wind instruments from the 18th and early 19th centuries. The RNCM Collection of Historic Musical Instruments is essentially an amalgamation of two collections originally assembled by Dr Henry Watson (1846-1911), and a smaller collection by Josiah Thomas Chapman (1843-1907).
You can pick up a self-guided themed tour for a family-friendly exploration to visit the different countries in the collection, find different animals and people carved into the instruments and set yourself up as a sketch artist to draw your favourite item. From a cast of Chopin’s hand to a pocket-sized violin, there is sure to be something to catch your eye and your imagination.
Stroll through time whilst listening to the newly digitised historic recordings of the RNCM students, supported by National Lottery Players via the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
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 RNCM Library.
The National Lottery offer at the RNCM Collection of Historic Musical Instruments will run on March 11 and 13, with drop-in tours (groups of up to four people) between 1.30pm-4.30pm − booking in advance is not required. Please note that outside advertised opening hours access is restricted − usual opening hours are 12pm-1pm every Monday and Thursday, with special openings for events listed here.
Royal Northern College of Music, 124 Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9RD.