Special Collections and Archives

Detailed information about the majority of our collections is available online: archival collections are described on the Archives Hub and printed music is catalogued on Jerwood Library. Some collections are itemised in hand lists. See the collection-level descriptions below for further details. 

The collections are open to all, whether members of Trinity Laban or not. Please contact us to make an appointment if you wish to view any of our material. 

A growing number of images from the collections are now available via Flickr. These images are part of The Commons and have no known copyright restrictions. This means that we are unaware of any current copyright restrictions on the works displayed, either because we own the copyright and have chosen to waver it, or the copyright has expired, or because no evidence has been found that copyright restrictions apply. 

Antonio de Almeida Collection 

Consisting of the personal printed music library of the French conductor of Portuguese origin Antonio de Almeida (1928-1997) and incorporating some scores acquired by him from the collections of Charles Munch and Pierre Monteux, this collection totals 5,456 volumes. The collection reflects Almeida’s personal enthusiasms, but it is also comprehensive and wide-ranging; works by Beethoven, Mozart and Stravinsky sit alongside scores by Carlos Chavez, André Grétry, Howard Hanson, Hans Pfitzner and Henri Serpette. Many of the full scores are scarce in this country. Search items in this collection on Jerwood Library Search. Please note this is work in progress; a hand list of the full collection is available on request. 

Brian Ashby Archive 

This archive holds the papers of Brian Ashby, including manuscript preparations for his two-stave transcription of Bach’s Chorale Preludes for piano. Of particular significance are the many letters from the Bach scholars Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) and William Gillies Whittaker (1876-1944). This collection was donated to the college by Nick Milner-Gulland, a close friend of Brian Ashby. There is no hand list available at present. 

Sir John Barbirolli Collection 

Bequeathed by Sir John Barbirolli (1899-1970), this collection consists mainly of conducting scores, some with his markings (including the score of Elgar’s Symphony no.1). Barbirolli studied the cello at Trinity College of Music from 1911 to 1912, and from 1929 to 1936 was chief conductor of the College Orchestra. In 1937 he succeeded Toscanini as conductor of the New York Philharmonic, then returned to England in 1942 to become conductor of the Hallé. Later in life he was Trinity’s President. A hand list of the Barbirolli Collection is available.

Stanley Black Collection 

Scores and papers of Stanley Black OBE (1913-2002). A pianist, conductor, composer and arranger, Stanley Black was known primarily for his many film music scores, his jazz and popular music arrangements and his work for the BBC as conductor and presenter of light music programmes. This collection comprises hundreds of autograph manuscript scores as well as ephemeral material including concert programmes, correspondence, contracts and photographs. The majority of scores in the Stanley Black collection are listed separately on Jerwood Library Search.

Please note that performance parts are kept on permanent loan at the BBC Music Library and that any requests for performance copies are handled by the BBC. 

Blackheath Halls Archive 

The historic archive of the Blackheath Halls was deposited in the Jerwood Library following Trinity College of Music’s acquisition of the Halls in 2003. It includes papers of the original group which led to the foundation of the Blackheath Concert Hall Company Limited (1894-1978), the Company’s core records, minutes, financial records, shares records, licences, legal agreements, membership and staff records, estate documents, plans and correspondence, and papers and correspondence of the Blackheath Concert Hall Action Group (1974-1983), the Blackheath Preservation Trust (1975-) and the Blackheath Halls (1983-2003). There is also material relating to events, although much is in facsimile. A hand list of the Blackheath Halls Archive is available.

Carey Blyton Collection

A collection of around 75 autograph manuscripts of compositions by the composer Carey Blyton (1932-2002), most of which are unpublished. Blyton was a student at Trinity College of Music, winning the Granville Bantock Prize for composition. He later returned as a professor of harmony, counterpoint and orchestration. Details of all the items in this collection are listed in Jerwood Library Search.

Julian Bream Collection 

The personal music library of guitarist Julian Bream containing mainly printed scores but also some original manuscripts. Many items contain dedications to Julian Bream and his own performance markings. The range of works included reflects both Bream’s performance output and his editorial work. A handlist of Julian Bream collection items which have annotations is available. The contents have been catalogued to item level and the whole Julian Bream collection can be browsed on Jerwood Library Search.

Bridge Memorial Library 

This is the historical library of Trinity College of Music and consists of over 1,000 volumes, mainly of printed music. In 1924 the collection was renamed in memory of Sir Frederick Bridge (1844-1924), the first Chairman of Trinity’s Board of Governors. The library contains many important 18th century editions such as Lully’s Roland (1711), a number of John Walsh’s early Handel editions, collections of late 18th century English catches and glees, and several rare French opera scores. Other highlights include the 19th century library of Jullien’s ‘Royal Conservatory of Music’, publications of the Musical Antiquarian Society, and the library of the National Federation of Music Societies which previously belonged to Alan Kirby, founder of the Croydon Philharmonic choir. Search items in the Bridge collection on Jerwood Library Search.

Valerie Cardnell Archive 

Papers of Valerie Cardnell, including concert programmes (some Charles Kennedy Scott and Oriana Madrigal Society), music, correspondence, recordings, Vincian Trio repertoire, photographs, certificates, and manuscript music by Carey Blyton and James Butt (see also the Charles Kennedy Scott Archive and the Carey Blyton Collection). A hand list of the Valerie Cardnell Collection is available.

Shura Cherkassky Collection 

The personal piano music library (about 300 items) of the renowned Russian-born American pianist Shura Cherkassky (1911-1995), who was resident in London after World War II. Most of the music is the collection is unmarked. 

Cinema and Light Music Archive 

This consists of a small collection of printed music, mostly dating from 1910 to 1960. It includes the collection of Alexander Russell of the Hillhead Salon, Vinicombe Street, Glasgow, instrumental sets from the Crieff Cinema and the Victoria Cinema, Inverurie, sets from the music library of the Regal Cinema, Saltcoats, and a collection of sets of light orchestral music originating with a number of bands, including the Aberdeen Light Classical Orchestra. There is also a selection of sound effects instruments (sirens, bird calls, etc.), but it is not known to be connected with any of the above venues. The collection was donated by the Scottish Screen Archive in 2003. A hand list is available on request. 

Frank Cordell Collection

Several autograph manuscripts of this British composer (1918-1986), including film scores and jazz arrangements. A hand list of the Frank Cordell Collection is available.

Filmharmonic Archive

Film scores by leading film composers as presented at the Filmharmonic concerts, held at the Royal Albert Hall between 1972 and 1985 in aid of the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund. Some of the scores are original manuscripts, others are photocopies and, in some cases, performing parts are present. A hand list of the Filmharmonic Archive is available. 

Thomas Igloi Archive

Recordings (some unreleased), programmes and press cuttings relating to the cellist Thomas Igloi (1947-1976). Igloi was born in Budapest and studied at the RAM with Douglas Cameron and later with Fournier and Casals. He had a brilliant performing career which was terminated by his death at the age of only 29. The collection was given by the luthier Eric Taylor. A hand list of the Thomas Igloi Archive is available. 

William Lovelock Collection

Manuscripts and printed scores of music composed by the examiner and pedagogue William Lovelock, best known for his widely used series of textbooks on harmony. A hand list of the William Lovelock Collection is available. The collection also includes a small amount of archival material such as photographs, scrapbooks, programmes and ephemera. 

Music Manuscripts Collection 

A collection of composers’ music manuscripts donated to the Faculty of Music at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (and its precursor Trinity College of Music). Comprises a mixture of holograph and autograph manuscripts and copies of manuscripts (where the original is unknown). Many are unpublished. Please note that manuscript scores are also contained within larger collections. This collection is described on the Archives Hub.

Morag Noble Collection

Papers relating to Morag Noble, singer, including reports, certificates, newspaper cuttings, correspondence, photographs, adjudication papers and concert programmes. Morag Noble taught singing at the former Trinity College of Music for many years and was awarded a Hon FTCL in 1985. A hand list of the Morag Noble collection is available.

Joseph Ortiz Collection

A small archive connected with the New York Metropolitan Opera and, in particular, with the revival of the zarzuela, as championed by Placido Domingo.  Ortiz worked for the library of the Metropolitan Opera and collaborated with Domingo on the location and transcription of zarzuelas and some items have a personal connection with the singer. A hand list of the Joseph Ortiz collection is available.

Dan Pawson Collection

Dan Pawson (1936-2002) was a trumpeter, bandleader and writer who specialized in New Orleans-style jazz. His collection comprises jazz records, books, periodicals and memorabilia mainly relating to the London and New Orleans jazz scenes from the 1940s to 1970s. The majority of the records in the Dan Pawson Collection can be searched on Jerwood Library Search.

Charles Proctor Collection

Proctor was founder and conductor of the Alexandra Choir and directed choral classes at Trinity in the 1960s.  This bequest consists mainly of manuscripts of his compositions (largely organ and choral works), along with a small amount of printed music and ephemera. A hand list of the Charles Proctor Collection is available.

Margaret Purcell Collection 

Music by the American composer Margaret Purcell (1914-1991) consisting of autograph manuscripts and related papers. The music is unpublished and is of special interest for the sociological study of women composers in the first half of the twentieth century. A more detailed hand list is also available, as well as scans of two concert programmes, which include biographical information about Purcell and illustrate the performance history of Margaret Purcell’s compositional output.

Archy Rosenthal Collection 

A collection of rare and out-of-print music by Irish composer Archy Rosenthal (1874-1947). Mainly piano music plus a few works for voice and piano. Also, a small collection of letters and photographs relating to Rosenthal’s family. A hand list of the Archy Rosenthal Collection is available.

Charles Kennedy Scott Archive 

Described by Sir Thomas Beecham as ‘the greatest choir-trainer in the world,’ Charles Kennedy Scott (1876-1965) was a hugely influential musician, music director, writer and educator. Over a long career he made important contributions to the revival of early music, and to the promotion of contemporary choral composition. He founded several choirs including the Oriana Madrigal Society, the Philharmonic Choir (a forerunner of the London Philharmonic Choir), and the Phoebus Singers. His publications included texts on singing as well as the Euterpe series, an anthology of early English part songs. Scott was a member of staff at Trinity College of Music (now Trinity Laban) from 1929 until his death in 1965, during which time he conducted the college choir, gave lectures on plainsong, examined for the college and was a member of the corporation and board. This collection includes material relating to Scott and his choirs including personal notebooks, photographs, correspondence, concert programmes, and unpublished music manuscripts. 

This archive is described on the Archives Hub. 

Len Smith and Felicity Young Collection 

This collection consists of music once belonging to Len Smith (violinist) and Felicity Young (pianist, d.2000) who both taught at Trinity. The collection also includes the scores of the German-born conductor and musicologist Hans-Hubert Schönzeler (1925-1997).

Lionel Tertis Collection 

A small collection, including autograph manuscripts of arrangements for viola by this renowned viola player (1876-1975) who studied at Trinity. There are also items from his personal library, including dedication copies from several composers. Details of all the items in the Lionel Tertis collection can be searched on Jerwood Library Search.

Tertis-White Collection 

Papers relating to Lionel Tertis (1876-1975) collected by John White (1938-2013). The collection comprises printed music and books (many with manuscript annotations), manuscript music, theses, journal issues, concert programmes, certificates, memorabilia, diaries, objects, photographs, instrument plans, posters, correspondence, and John White’s personal research files. Many items were acquired by John White from the collections of Harry Danks and Lillian Tertis. A collection-level description is available on the Archives Hub and the music in the Tertis-White Collection is catalogued at item level on Jerwood Library Search.

Trinity College of Music Archive 

Papers and publications of the former Trinity College of Music (and its precursors). Trinity College of Music was established in 1872 as the Church Choral Society and College of Church Music by the Reverend Henry George Bonavia Hunt and Sir Frederick A. Gore Ouseley. The college was incorporated as Trinity College London in 1875 and changed its name to Trinity College of Music in 1904. Local examinations and diplomas were administered by the college from 1877 until 1992 when Trinity College London was established as a separate company. In 2005 Trinity College of Music merged with the Laban Dance Centre to become Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. This archive is described on the Archives Hub.

The Westbrook Collection

This is a growing collection of original scores by composer/pianist/band leader Mike Westbrook O.B.E. and singer/librettist Kate Westbrook, with related ephemera including a fine collection of posters. It contains works from 1971 to date in a wide variety of genres: jazz, contemporary music, opera, music hall and popular song. The scores include solo piano works, songs, jazz-cabaret and music-theatre pieces, opera vocal scores, compositions for jazz ensemble and large-scale settings for jazz orchestra. A hand list of the Westbrook Collection and an additional list of Westbrook Collection posters are available.  

Rita Williams Popular Song Collection

A wide-ranging collection of c.3,000 individual popular songs, dating from the 1920s to the 1970s and including songs from films and shows. Originally the personal collection of the singer Rita Williams, with later additions, it includes songs in various European languages and some in Afrikaans. Rita Williams sang with the Billy Cotton Club, among other groups, and made numerous recordings in the 1940s and 1950s. The songs are arranged alphabetically by title.  Please note that in most cases it is necessary to obtain permission from the relevant copyright holder before the songs can be photocopied. A hand list of the Rita Williams Popular Song Collection is available.

Christopher Wood Collection

Wood (1911-1990) studied at the Royal College of Music with Herbert Howells and Gordon Jacob and later with Sir Arnold Bax. He studied conducting with Bruno Walter and Herbert von Karajan and piano with Adeline de Lara, a pupil of Clara Schumann and Brahms. During the 1950s he concentrated on the harpsichord and performed and recorded extensively, being particularly associated with the Dolmetsch family. His Piano Sonata was published by Oxford University Press in 1943, but almost all his compositions are unpublished. The collection includes autograph manuscripts of over 100 compositions, plus letters (many from well-known musicians), photographs and an autobiography. A hand list of the Christopher Wood Collection is available.