Research

The State Institute for Music Research is the largest non-university research institution for musicology in Germany. The scholars of the Institute work in a variety of musicological sub-disciplines: Historical musicology, instrumentology, musicological documentation, recording media research, acoustics, and musical perception research.

Research at the SIM

The uniqueness of the State Institute for Music Research lies in the coexistence and integration of a research institution and museum. The subject of our research work is the sonic phenomenon of performed music, in all conceivable aspects.

Heinz von Loesch and Hardy Rittner. Photo: J.J. Riehle

Topics

Our research interests derive from the fields of historical musicology, instrumentology, musicological documentation, recording media research, acoustics, and musical perception research.

Cover of the SIM-Yearbook

Publications

The State Institute for Music Research regularly publishes the results of its research in various scientific series, catalogs, and museum guides.

Facade of the SIM

Scholarships

The State Institute for Music Research awards fellowships for research stays of one to three months. Find out about funding opportunities here.