The intention of the EMS, since its creation, has been to provide state of the art facilities for electroacoustic music composition, research, and teaching.

The Queen's Electroacoustic Music Studios were founded in 1970 by David Keane, who remained Director of the EMS until 1997. In 1973 the studios moved into the newly opened Harrison Lecaine Building, where they are still currently housed. 

Composers from Queen's Electroacoustic Music Studios have a significant role in developing electroacoustic music in Canada and in establishing Canada's considerable international profile in the field. Faculty and graduates from Queen's who have contributed significantly to the field of electroacoustic music include Hugh Lecaine, Istvan Anhalt, David Keane, Bruce Pennycook, Keith Hamel, Barry Truax, William Buxton, Kristi Allik, and Kirk Elliot. Both faculty and students have been the recipients of many international awards in electroacoustic music and in integrated media and multimedia works, including the Bourges (GMEB) and Prix Ars Electronica prizes.

The EMS has hosted a number of national and international music events; as well, internationally known composers and researchers have accepted invitations to work at the EMS. Thus, the Queen's Electroacoustic Music Studios continue to have a high profile both nationally and internationally as well as providing a valuable service to the School of Music and to the Queen's University community.

Compositions and performances by students and faculty working in our facilities can be heard 24 hours a day via our EMS Radio webcast.

Currently streaming: works from 1959-1975 by Istvan Anhalt, a pioneer of electroacoustic music in Canada, and former Director of the Queen's School of Music, who has recently celebrated his 90th birthday.

Mosaic Concerts

The School of Music hosts the Mosaic concert series which consists of approximately six to eight concerts per academic year. The purpose of the Mosaic concert series is to feature both queen's student and faculty composers' compositions. This venue provides an excellent opportunity for students enrolled in electroacoustic composition courses to present their works to a larger audience. The concert series also provides students the opportunity to learn more about the technical processes involved in setting up for and performing electroacoustic compositions in a concert venue.