diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/openal/SoundManager.java b/src/java/com/threerings/openal/SoundManager.java
index 945f0da3..4145dde4 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/openal/SoundManager.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/openal/SoundManager.java
@@ -135,6 +135,15 @@ public class SoundManager
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Loads a clip buffer for the sound clip loaded via the specified provider with the
+     * specified path. The loaded clip is placed in the cache.
+     */
+    public void loadClip (ClipProvider provider, String path)
+    {
+        getClip(provider, path);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Creates a sound manager and initializes the OpenAL sound subsystem.
      */
@@ -182,7 +191,7 @@ public class SoundManager
 
     /**
      * Creates a clip buffer for the sound clip loaded via the specified provider with the
-     * specified path. The clip buffer may come from teh cache, and it will immediately be queued
+     * specified path. The clip buffer may come from the cache, and it will immediately be queued
      * for loading if it is not already loaded.
      */
     protected ClipBuffer getClip (ClipProvider provider, String path)
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/openal/util/AlContext.java b/src/java/com/threerings/openal/util/AlContext.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c2b19931
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/openal/util/AlContext.java
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+//
+// $Id$
+
+package com.threerings.openal.util;
+
+import com.threerings.openal.ClipProvider;
+import com.threerings.openal.SoundManager;
+
+/**
+ * Provides access to the various components of the OpenAL sound system.
+ */
+public interface AlContext
+{
+    /**
+     * Returns a reference to the sound manager.
+     */
+    public SoundManager getSoundManager ();
+
+    /**
+     * Returns a reference to the clip provider.
+     */
+    public ClipProvider getClipProvider ();
+}