The Centre is involved in wide-ranging research into all aspects of musical development, as well as music education, music teacher education and subject-specific fields of inquiry.

Many such projects involve collaboration with partners from across the voluntary and higher education sectors at home and abroad. Collaborative research partnerships include work with leading UK Research Councils such as the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the Economic and Social Sciences Research Council (ESRC), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), grant-making foundations and charities such as The Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Royal National Institute of the Blind, the Amber Trust, Soundabout and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Government agencies and departments (such as DfES, QCA) and also the European Union. Sponsorship has also been received from the British Council and British Academy for overseas scholars to visit the School.