[1] Founded in 1944 by Armen Carapetyan, the AIM's chief objective is the publication of modern editions of medieval, Renaissance and early Baroque compositions and works of music theory.

The breadth and quality of publications produced by the AIM constitutes a central contribution to the study, practice and performance of early music.

The CSM, which focuses on music theory, has published the treatises of important theorists such as Guido of Arezzo and Jean Philippe Rameau.

Musicologists who have been particularly associated with the AIM include John Caldwell, Frank D'Accone, Ursula Gunther, Charles Hamm, Albert Seay and Gilbert Reaney.

Armen Carapetyan (1908–1992), an Iranian-Armenian born in Isfahan,[3] graduated from the American College of Tehran in 1927 and studied in Paris and New York, at one point under Gian Francesco Malipiero.

[2] Other composers whose entire surviving oeuvres have been published by AIM include Pierre de la Rue, Adrian Willaert, Jacob Clemens non Papa, Cipriano de Rore, Loyset Compère, Thomas Crecquillon and Romero; modern editions of famous musical treatises include those by Guido of Arezzo and Jean Philippe Rameau.