Instrumental collections include three Steinway grand pianos, two Javanese gamelans, a Balinese gamelan, a collection of Ghanaian drums and a variety of Japanese, Chinese and Indian instruments. An early music room houses the Anderson collection of early keyboard instruments. There is a digital multitrack studio, six computer-based electroacoustic composition studios and a computer laboratory with 14 workstations for music notation and music technology work. The Department is the centre for many performance activities including the City University Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Choir, the contemporary ensemble City Lights, three gamelan groups and an African drumming and dance group. It stages concerts of Western and non-Western music and an electroacoustic music series as well as student lunchtime concerts presenting many different genres of music.
All academic staff are active in research and are recognised as leaders in their fields.