An innovative music research program at Queen’s University has received $168,900 from Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Leader’s Opportunity Fund.

The money will be used to create a new, digital music library for iSCORE and to purchase equipment including laptops and two digital pianos to further enhance the iSCORE online music instruction tool – a tool available to the general public.

“It's more than equipment for the researchers: it's laptops for the studio teachers who will be taking part - a very important way of not only enabling the research, but for compensating the studio teachers involved,” says Rena Upitis, a researcher in the Faculty of Education.

iSCORE supports music-making with a wide range of features including a personalized homepage that enables a wide range of students to set goals and priorities for their music learning. It also includes an embedded recorder and online tools that allow students to record and save practices and performances, links to composition and sequencing tools, and interactive plans and for teachers.

“CFI investments equip researchers with the tools they need to think big and turn discoveries into innovative products and processes that benefit their communities,” says Gilles G. Patry, President and CEO of the CFI.

Learn more about the iSCORE online learning tool.