Program News

April 11, 2023

Cincinnati’s Taft Museum has named Anita Graef (MM Cello ’19) the 2023 Duncanson Artist-in-Residence. The residency is designed to center the work of black artists from a variety of disciplines, and includes performances and educational events around the Cincinnati area. Graef, who was a CSO/CCM Diversity Fellow, will perform April 16, 21 and 29 as part of her Duncanson Residency.

August 2, 2022

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and the UC College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) are proud to announce recent successes of their CSO/CCM Diversity Fellowship program. Established in 2015 and launched with a grant from The Mellon Foundation, the nationally-recognized program amplifies and supports extraordinary young string players from populations historically underrepresented in American orchestras through a specialized, two-year graduate degree-level education, professional development and mainstage performance opportunities with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Four CSO/CCM Diversity Fellows have obtained full-time positions with major American orchestras for the 2022-23 season; additional Diversity Fellows successes include careers in music education, social change and orchestral administration.

October 27, 2021

Strings Magazine shone the spotlight on UC College-Conservatory of Music alumna Anita Graef (MM Cello Performance, ‘19), featuring the rising star in a digital performance of Sibelius’ Theme and Variations for Solo Cello and Gliere’s 8 Pieces for Violin and Cello. The concert is still available for viewing on the publication’s website.

July 8, 2021

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) have selected five outstanding musicians for their next class of CSO/CCM Diversity Fellows. Born out of a mutual desire to help American orchestras become more inclusive and better represent the communities they serve, the performance fellowship program was launched in 2015 and continues with a generous grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

February 1, 2021

The second episode of CCMONSTAGE Online is now available for on demand viewing. Originally broadcast on Friday, Feb. 12, this 30-minute-long virtual concert features CCM string quartet-in-residence the Ariel Quartet collaborating with master’s degree students Cristian Diaz and Denielle Wilson, who are also both second-year participants in CCM’s innovative Diversity Fellowship initiative with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Watch the full episode here. The performance is also available on CCM's YouTube channel and Facebook page, and also via the Violin Channel.

December 4, 2020

The show goes on with CCMONSTAGE Online beginning Dec. 11! Enjoy excerpts from the first four episodes of CCM's new digital performance series in our official teaser trailer. CCMONSTAGE Online is a dynamic new series of digital concerts and performing arts presentations showcasing the unparalleled artistry and expertise of CCM's students, faculty and staff. Each episode can be digitally streamed for free. After the premiere broadcast, each installment in this ongoing series will remain available for on-demand viewing on CCM's website and YouTube channel.

November 16, 2020

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare Project launched in May 2020 to commission and premiere new solo works in response to the coronavirus pandemic. It's shared new music from more than 12 composers so far, including a recently premiered Viola Fanfare by Grammy-winner and MacArthur "Genius Grant" recipient Rhiannon Giddens. Watch CSO/CCM Diverstiy Fellow Edna Pierce perform Giddens' fanfare.

November 4, 2020

UC College-Conservatory of Music alumnus and former Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra/CCM Diversity Fellow Ian Saunders was recently interviewed by Aaron Dworkin on Arts Engines, a nationally broadcast show produced in partnership with and distributed by Detroit Public Television, Ovation TV, the Violin Channel and American Pubic Media including Performance Today and YourClassical.

October 19, 2020

In 2019, UC College-Conservatory of Music student and now alumna Caroline Sackleh (DMA Bassoon Performance, ’20) created a music collective that focuses on highlighting the skills of women musicians and performing the works of living composers. With that vision in mind, New Downbeat was born. The ensemble now boasts over 20 performers and six affiliated composers, most of whom are CCM students or alumni.

June 23, 2020

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) have selected five outstanding musicians for their next class of CSO/CCM Diversity Fellows. Born out of a mutual desire to help American orchestras be more inclusive and to better represent the communities they serve, the performance fellowship program was launched in 2015 with a generous grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.