Search and Request Material

Find out how to access, search, request and view collection/catalogue material.

Search the Grainger Collection Catalogue

Researchers can search the Grainger Museum collection, including correspondence, photographs, manuscripts and objects, through a number of methods.

It is now possible to search across the Grainger Museum archive, objects collection and Grainger’s personal library and the museum reference collection via our new online catalogue.

Search the Grainger Collection

Finding Aids

A number of finding aids also provide insight into parts of the Grainger Museum's collection, particularly its manuscript and scores:

  • Dr Kay Dreyfus

    In July 1974, Dr. Kay Dreyfus commenced an intensive programme of sorting, listing and indexing Grainger's compositions and arrangements. With generous financial support from the Music Board, Australia Council, and the University of Melbourne, the first volume was published in 1976 and continues to be an essential tool for those involved in Grainger research and scholarship.

    The second volume is a supplementary index and accounts for the substantial material donated by the Library of Congress, other institutions and individuals since 1980. It also includes a comprehensive cross-referenced index by title and (in the case of arrangements) by composer covering both volumes.

    Download Volume 1

    Download Volume 2

  • Phil Clifford

    An insight into Grainger's personal collection of piano, orchestral, vocal, choral and band music by his contemporaries.  Although many copies are complimentary review copies sent to Grainger by music publishers, there are other, quite rare items to be found.

    Clifford notes that Grainger regarded his collection of music by other composers to be one of the most significant collections in the Grainger Museum. It is, as he himself has written of the whole Museum, the product of one man's taste and criticism - his own - and is limited accordingly. Nonetheless, by virtue of the composers represented, it provides a fascinating field of study not merely of the creative achievements of a particular group of composers, as Grainger intended, but also of the changing character of music making and changes in private and public taste.

    Download PDF

  • Thérèse Radic (Marshall-Hall Trust, 2002).

    The Marshall-Hall collection in the Grainger Museum contains manuscripts, published music, published literary works, news clippings and articles, scrapbooks, correspondence, photographs and artworks. The range of disciplines represented in this collection demonstrates Grainger's notion that his Museum should shed light on the 'process of creative genius', not just the fruits of that genius.

    Download PDF

Request material

Access to the Grainger Museum Collection is available online and at the Museum’s research room via prior arrangement. If you wish to access the Grainger Museum Collection, raise a general research enquiry, or identify material in the catalogue or finding aids that you would like view in person, please submit a request via the Access Request Form. Please note, researchers are required to follow the Research Room guidelines to ensure safe handling of collection material.

Interstate and international researchers and complex enquiries

While we can provide collection access, we do not have the resources or capacity to assist with research projects and complex enquiries. Researchers without physical access to the research room may wish to engage a Private Records Agent and Researcher to access the collection on your behalf.

Requests for image reproduction

Image reproductions of the Grainger Museum Collection can be requested using the online Access Request Form. Please note that some collection materials may not be suitable for digitisation due to factors such as age, fragility, copyright, and other considerations.  In some circumstances, a fee may apply to image requests for publication and commercial use to recover costs associated with digitisation, including additional staffing, materials, equipment and external engagements. A quote will be provided at the time of request.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to ensure that they comply with Copyright law.

If you require a copy of music in the collection please conduct a search prior to contacting the Museum. We are unable to copy published music due to copyright restrictions.

Some possible starting places include:

If what you require is out of print but still in copyright you will need to supply us with written proof of permission to copy from the publisher. If copyright is no longer owned by a publisher written permission is required from the Grainger Estate.

We are also unable to advise on requests for permission to perform musical works in our collection and suggest that you contact the relevant performing rights association directly.

Please contact us if you would like to request copyright permission from the Executor of Grainger's Estate and the contact details will be supplied.