The following is a guest post from Polly Jones, Westminster Music Librarian: Tucked away down a side street between the noise and lights of Leicester Square and the grandeur and opulence of the National Portrait Gallery sits an unassuming building which holds what I personally consider to be one of London’s best kept secrets: Westminster…
The following is a guest post from Simon Carpenter, Volunteer Archivist to the Three Choirs Festival: The Festival Generally believed to be the world’s oldest classical music festival, the Three Choirs Festival alternates annually between the cathedral cities of Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester. Originating some time in the early 18th century, it has long provided…
Between October 2025 and March 2026, the famous “Hallelujah Chorus” takes centre stage at the Foundling Museum. Librarian of the Gerald Coke Handel Collection, Katharine Hogg, has shared this for readers of the blog: Explore the life-affirming power of music through the lens of Handel’s iconic ‘Hallelujah Chorus’. Looking at the exhilarating experience and enduring…
The following is a guest post from Richard L. Jones, Music Librarian, Barbican Music Library: Barbican Music Library is currently hosting an exhibition, Blondie in Camera 1978. Formed in New York in 1974 by vocalist Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein, Blondie released their influential album Parallel Lines four years later; it contained a number of…
As a much-admired member of the IAML (UK & Irl) community retires next week, we grabbed him just in time to contribute to our “Week in the life” series. Roy Stanley writes: On 30 September I will retire after over 35 years as music librarian at the Library of Trinity College Dublin. I’m therefore very…
The following is a guest post from Laura Johnson, Leeds Conservatoire: I was recently fortunate enough to attend the latest one-day ‘Music for the Terrified’ course, which took place at Leeds Conservatoire Library. The course was organised by the IAML (UK & Irl) Events & Training Committee and delivered by Meg Fisher (Music Cataloguer, British…
Continuing our “Week in the life” series, Martyn Bennett, Head of Music Library and Resources at Glyndebourne, has spared us some time amidst the busy season to share some insights into his role at one of Britain’s most celebrated opera festivals. Martyn writes: As Head of Music Resources and Library at Glyndebourne, I often find…
Occupying much of my time over the past weeks and months has been the large sheet music collection of famed horn player, Dennis Brain (1921-1957). This collection was purchased at auction in 1998 by lawyer and keen horn player, Mark Andrews, in a bid to rescue it from dispersal. In 2023 the collection was entrusted…
Nearly two months into his role as President of the UK & Ireland branch of IAML, we asked Peter Linnitt, Librarian of the Royal College of Music, to tell us about his role at the RCM. This post is the first in a “Week in the life” series, where we will meet professionals from all…
Readers of the IAML (UK & Irl) blog will be pleased to learn of the Foundling Museum’s newest exhibition, highlighting some of the treasures from the collection of early Handel devotee, Elizabeth Legh (1694-1734). Katharine Hogg, Librarian of the Gerald Coke Handel Collection, has sent us the following to whet our appetites: Elizabeth Legh: Lover…
The Oldman Prize is awarded by IAML (UK & Irl) to an author or joint authors of a work deemed to have made a significant contribution in the area of music bibliography or musicology in the year prior to its being awarded. The winner of the 2024 award was announced at the branch AGM on…
With registrations now open for this year’s IAML Congress in Salzburg from 6-11 July, members of the IAML (UK & Irl) branch are encouraged to consider applying for the Ian Ledsham Bursary, awarded by the Music Libraries Trust (MLT). This year’s award of £400 will cover registration fees and some travel expenses, enabling the recipient…
The following is a guest post from Richard L. Jones, Librarian, Barbican Music Library: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Isata Kanneh-Mason (@isatakannehmason) After being contacted by Decca Records, Barbican Music Library recently hosted a filming session featuring the pianist, Isata Kanneh-Mason, which resulted in an Instagram video. A graduate of the Royal…
Malcolm Jones 30 July 1943 – 23 July 2024 Obituary by Pam Thompson There can be very few members of the UK and Ireland branch of IAML who are not aware of Malcolm’s immeasurable contribution to the work of the Association. Indeed, there are equally many beyond our two countries who know of his lifelong…
The following is a guest post from Judith Ratcliffe, Archivist, Britten Pears Arts: On 20 November the British Library held a very enjoyable and interesting afternoon to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Gustav Holst’s (1874-1934) birth. The event ‘Gustav Holst: An Archival Legacy’ put the focus on archival sources, with speakers from three institutions delving into…
The following is a guest post from Richard L. Jones, Music Librarian, Barbican Music Library: I’m Not Okay: An Emo Retrospective is the title of Barbican Music Library’s latest exhibition, the result of a collaboration with the Museum of Youth Culture. With roots in the hardcore-punk scene in 1980s Washington D.C., emo (short for ‘emotional’ or…
IAML (UK & Irl)’s popular “Music for the Terrified” course has been updated for library staff working with music collections everywhere. The day-long course covers a wide variety of topics, including: Trainers Chris Scobie (British Library), Katharine Hogg (Gerald Coke Handel Collection) and Meg Fisher (British Library) ran the course in Wiltshire at the end…
The following is a guest post from Richard L. Jones, Music Librarian, Barbican Music Library: To celebrate East and South East Asian Heritage Month, which takes place every September, Barbican Music Library hosted a workshop entitled Silk and Bamboo Music. It featured Cheng Yu (pipa – 4 stringed lute) and Li Ming (bamboo flutes). Silk…
IAML (UK & Irl) delegates have continued to share their feedback from IAML Congress 2024 in Stellenbosch. This week, the British Library’s Chris Scobie offers his reflections: It was a privilege to be able to attend the IAML 2024 Congress in Stellenbosch in June. A huge thank you and congratulations to the organising committee for…
Following our previous report on IAML Congress 2024 in Stellenbosch, more IAML (UK & Irl) members have been in touch to share their experiences of the week. First is Katharine Hogg, Librarian of the Gerald Coke Handel Collection. Katharine writes: The Congress attracted a smaller number of delegates than usual, due to its distance from…
It is with much sadness that we pass on the news of the very recent death of Malcolm Jones on Tuesday 23rd July after a stroke. Malcolm, a former Branch President (1986-1989) and Honorary Branch member, was a dedicated and most respected music librarian and Branch member; most recently looking after our performance sets catalogue…
IAML (UK & Irl) is delighted to announce the return of the ever-popular “Music for the Terrified” course, taking place in Chippenham on 24 September 2024. If you have ever felt out of your depth working with music collections, fear not! This one-day course is designed to answer basic queries about working with printed and…
The 2024 National Student Survey has once again revealed the importance of passionate, subject-specialist librarians, with three UK conservatoire libraries appearing in the top five for student satisfaction. In response to question 20 of the student survey, “How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?”, students offered…
Several IAML (UK & Irl) Branch members were fortunate to attend the 2024 Congress of our international organisation – “big IAML” – at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, earlier this month. Taking place in a different country each year, Congress is an exciting opportunity to hear papers from international colleagues and experts in related fields, share…