RCM Museum digital resources

Terence Charlston being filmed playing the harpsichord

The Royal College of Music Museum is proud to offer a variety of digital resources to support access to our displays and collections.

The Museum maintains and preserves more than 14,000 instruments, portraits, images and engravings. These items are used to support learning and research whenever possible and many are made available to a global public through an extensive programme of digitisation.

In addition, the RCM Library holds equally impressive collections of manuscripts, prints, letters, concert programmes and books.

To find out more about our objects and stories, we invite you to explore our online offer which includes our online catalogue, digital exhibitions and object videos, and engage with us on social media @RCMMuseum.

Resources for families and schools

View our new RCM Museum digital resources for families and schools.

Object highlights

Below are a selection of videos showcasing some of our favourite items from the RCM Museum.

Performance videos

The Clavicytherium

Terence Charlston performs Anon., Incipit bo(nus tenor) Loenhardi (15th century)

The Spinet

Terence Charlston performs Matthew Locke, A Praeludium

The Double-Manual Harpsichord

Terence Charlston performs Arcangelo Corelli, Concerto III: Largo and Vivace

The Clavichord

Terence Charlston performs Johann Sebastian Bach, Sinfonia (Three-Part Invention) no.11 in G minor

RCM Museum catalogue

Browse the collections in the RCM Museum by clicking the button below.

RCM Museum catalogue

Printed instrument catalogues

Printed versions of our catalogues and publication can be purchased through the RCM shop. All catalogues are also freely accessible online.

View printed instrument catalogues

Part I: European wind instruments

Part Ia: European wind instruments

Part II: Keyboard instruments

Part III: European stringed instruments

Digital exhibitions

Four ivory woodwind instruments. This image is part of the online exhibition on Google Arts & Culture - Top 10: Highlights of the Royal College of Music Museum.

The Royal College of Music was the first music conservatoire to partner with the Google Cultural Institute, opening up our collections to audiences around the world. Our museum and library curate a range of interactive digital exhibitions, drawing on key social and historical themes to enrich our understanding of music history.

Our digital exhibitions are hosted on Google Arts & Culture. Explore our collections from the comfort of your own home!

View our digital exhibitions