The museum houses material from the Academy's collections of instruments, archives, manuscripts and images and holds regular performances and demonstrations that make use of the instruments on display. Items in the collection include the original score of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta ‘The Mikado’, letters by Felix Mendelssohn and Franz Liszt, Stradivari instruments and a backstage pass for alumnus Sir Elton John's performance at Radio City Music Hall.
In the piano gallery, visitors can ask a gallery assistant for a demonstration of the instruments. There is also an annually changing temporary exhibition.