History

This facility was created in January 1988 by members of the faculty of Queen's School of Music. The purpose of CLAM was to function as a partial semi-public site, for the purpose of teaching, research and the creation of music and multimedia.

At the time of its creation, CLAM consisted of a number of personal computers, representing the most commonly used platforms at that time. Hardware included Macintosh, Atari, and DOS based computers, as well as Amiga computers for multimedia applications. In the intervening years, CLAM increased the available hardware and software to include facilities for ear training and sight singing, MIDI composition and internet applications.

From 1988 onwards, thanks in part to funding from numerous sources such as the Queen's University Semi-Public Site Upgrade program, Apple Computers, and Commodore Canada, CLAM has expanded and upgraded its hardware and software.

Current

The facilities in CLAM are currently used for the following purposes:

• as a site whose functions include providing users with facilities for e-mail, internet applications, and word processing;
• as a teaching facility for music and multimedia courses;
• as a creation and research facility for electroacoustic music and multimedia.

Approximately 35% of the total time in CLAM is allocated to structured classroom time and labs; the remaining time is designated for open use by students, staff and faculty.

The need to pursue resources in certain areas of music makes access to the internet and its sources for bibliographies and articles particularly useful for many courses. These facilities also may be used by students from the various composition courses (including for score production), as well as for analysis and orchestration courses. Moreover, professors, members of the university and Kingston community, and students and staff members from other departments at Queen's may access these facilities.

Current Resources in CLAM

Current resources in CLAM include hardware and software in the areas of music, graphics, authoring for multimedia, web design, word processing and publishing.

Courses

Introduction to Computers in Music and Multimedia

This is an introduction to the technology, pedagogy and applications of computer music and multimedia. The course emphasizes hands on application and provides in class time for student tutorials and workshops. Music and multimedia applications are discussed in an educational and artistic context; this course is particularly useful for potential music educators.