The Music Collection is focused on:

  • sound recordings, including CDs, LPs and 78rpm records
  • video and DVD recordings
  • specialist reference items, including encyclopedias, dictionaries, repertoire guides, bibliographies and discographies
  • printed music, especially chamber music with performing parts, songs, operas, musicals, instrumental music and tutors, orchestral scores, choral works and scholarly collected editions
  • books and magazines on all aspects of music
  • choral and orchestral sets for hire.

Highlights in the collection include:

  • Radio New Zealand printed music library, with New Zealand's largest collection of choral and orchestral works for hire
  • John Bevan Ford's collection of historical vocal recordings from the early 20th century
  • Antony Terry's collection of jazz on LP
  • scores from pianists Paul and Diny Schramm, Austrian immigrants to New Zealand
  • Larry Pruden's collection of orchestral music on LP
  • performance scores and parts donated by the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the New Zealand Opera Society.

Access items in this collection

Search for descriptions of items in this collection using the National Library Catalogue. Many scores and recordings are not in the online catalogue but staff can help you find the items you need.

You can access items in the Library's reading room at 77 Thorndon Quay, Wellington.

National Library Catalogue

Access choral sets and orchestral parts through the choral and orchestral set hire service.

Get copies from items in this collection

Copies can be made from items in this collection if copying doesn’t breach copyright. Photocopiers, and printers for microfiche and microfilm readers are available for use in the Library's reading room at 77 Thorndon Quay, Wellington.

More about making copies

More about copyright and usage

Borrow items in this collection

You can borrow items from this collection by interloan through your local library. We lend to New Zealand and overseas libraries.

More about interloans

Get help

We can answer your enquiries in person, by letter, phone or email. For choral and orchestral hire enquiries contact our music hire librarian.


Contact Details
Contact Us Music Room
Music Hire