Galleries
St Cecilia’s Hall is home to University of Edinburgh’s collection of historic musical instruments, which ranks among the world’s most important collections of musical heritage. It has official Recognised Collection of National Significance to Scotland status.
Binks Gallery
Discover the rich history of keyboard instruments in the Binks Gallery where we lift the lid on the variety of keyboard instruments that have developed over the centuries.
In this gallery you can learn about the different types of keyboards in ‘Uncommon keyboards’, be introduced to the most famous makers of harpsichords in ‘Meet the Makers: Craftsmen, entrepreneurs and brands’ and discover some of the more unscrupulous instrument makers in ‘Copies and Counterfeits’.
1812 Gallery
The decoration of keyboard instruments and their use in society takes centre stage in the 1812 Gallery. Here you can explore how keyboard instruments were once status symbols in ‘Keeping Up with Fashion’ and in the ‘From Home to Hall’ section you can learn how keyboards have been both important domestic and concert instruments.
Wolfson Gallery
The Wolfson Gallery explores the creation and development of musical instruments and has strings, woodwind, brass and percussion on display. Over time the shapes of instruments and the materials and technologies used to make them have changed, which in turn has affected the style and sound of music. By learning about the history of the musical instruments on display you can imagine how music sounded in the past.
Laigh Hall
Music is a form of communication and part of every culture and in the Laigh Hall we explore the universality of music and musical instruments. In ‘Playing Together’ we explore the joys and challenges of playing instruments in a group and ‘Global Sounds’ shows that people from all over the world use music and musical instrument in the same ways.
Sypert Concert Hall
At the heart of St Cecilia’s Hall is the Sypert Concert Room, an elegant room with a distinct elliptical shape. This room is the oldest concert hall in Scotland and the second oldest in Britain. Commissioned by the Edinburgh Musical Society and designed by architect Robert Mylne (1733-1811), the inaugural concert of St Cecilia’s Hall was held in this space in 1763.
During its heyday in Georgian society, the Concert Room was the venue for some of the best performances in Scotland, featuring international performers and composers. Today, it is the perfect setting for everything from historical chamber music to intimate modern concerts and performances.