Historical musicology is the study of past musical forms and cultures, and their performance, transmission and reception throughout recorded history to present day. It interprets the cultural meanings of musical expression through the critical examination of musical scores, texts, instruments and other artifacts. Historical performance practice is the applied arm of this field as is reflected in the prominence of ANU School of Music staff and postgraduate students in period concerts worldwide. Research in this field is supported by the ANU Art and Music Library’s extensive collection of musical scores and recordings, and by our collection of Western period instruments, which includes Australia’s largest collection of antique and reproduction keyboards, guitars and wind instruments.