1
Where did the Chicken Dance come from?
September 17, 2025
WVXU turned to UC musicologist Jonathan Kregor for a look into the Chicken Dance's rise to fame.
Composition, Musicology and Theory
CCM’s Division of Composition, Musicology and Theory (CMT) offers student composers, musicologists and theorists opportunities to create original works, understand the social and historical contexts of music, and develop analytical procedures.
The division places great emphasis on merging the theoretical with the practical in biennial graduate student conferences, an in-house and student-run journal (Music Research Forum), in-house and student-run journal, and the Thinking About Music lecture series featuring distinguished speakers. It serves as a resource for all music students, enriching the creative and intellectual life of CCM and of the broader university community.
Coursework for the graduate degrees in musicology (MM, PhD) and music theory (MM, PhD) is wide-ranging and rigorous, offering students a unique opportunity to pursue an academic discipline in a performance-oriented school.
The MM and DMA degrees in composition include one-on-one composition lessons and ample opportunities to work with CCM ensembles and community organizations for hearings and performances.
Learn more about CCM's Oct. 16-18 Jennifer Higdon Festival by clicking the above graphic or visiting ccm.uc.edu/higdon
CCM is also home to the Center for Computer Music, which offers opportunities for research and composition using technology, and the Alexander Zemlinsky Prize for Composition, a competition for young composers from around the world.
Composition Faculty
Ellen R. Harrison,
Adjunct Associate Professor of Composition (General Studies); CCM Prep Master Teacher, Theory and Composition
Music Theory Faculty
Musicology Faculty
Alexandra Kori Hill,
Provostal Post-Doctoral Fellow in Musicology
513-556-6046
Jonathan Kregor,
Division Head of Composition, Musicology, and Theory; Professor of Musicology
513-556-9464
Stephanie P. Schlagel,
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Director of Graduate Studies; Associate Professor of Musicology
Jewel Smith,
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Musicology
513-315-3207
Composition, Musicology and Theory Division Head and Staff
Jonathan Kregor,
Division Head of Composition, Musicology, and Theory; Professor of Musicology
513-556-9464
News and Events
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Get to know CCM’s newest faculty and staff members
August 25, 2025
UC’s College-Conservatory of Music will welcome a variety of new faculty and staff members to its roster of distinguished performing and media arts experts, researchers and educators this fall.
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Attend a concert or show at CCM: Fall schedule of major events...
August 19, 2025
Experience world-class performances by the next generation of performing and media artists at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM)! The college’s fall 2025 schedule of major events is now available; tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.
4
Celebrating 150 years of Black classical composer Samuel...
August 18, 2025
August 15 marked the 150th birthday of celebrated Black British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. NPR did a deep dive on Coleridge-Taylor’s history, his legacy in Britain and the biases that impacted his short but robust career. NPR spoke with Sam Reenan, PhD, one of the College-Conservatory of Music’s new faculty members. Reenan, who joins the music theory faculty for the 2025-2026 academic year, spoke on Coleridge-Taylor’s legacy in Britain.
5
CCM welcomes Provostal Post-Doctoral Fellow
August 13, 2025
UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras welcomes Alexandra Kori Hill as a Provostal Post-Doctoral Fellow at CCM, where she will continue her research and teach while preparing for a future faculty position. Hill will be mentored by CCM Assistant Professor of Music Studies Kristy Swift and CCM Professor of Ethnomusicology Stefan Fiol during the one-year appointment, which begins this fall.
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Dean Jutras marks a first year of listening and planning for the...
August 1, 2025
CCM Dean Peter J. Jutras shares a message with the college community ahead of the 2025-26 academic year and performance season.
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CCM welcomes Maggie Perrino as Assistant Dean of Prep and...
June 30, 2025
UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras recently announced the appointment of Maggie Perrino as the college's new Assistant Dean of CCM Prep and Community Engagement. In this role, Perrino will lead a team of faculty and administrative staff at CCM Prep, which offers a wide variety of programs in music, dance and the theatre arts throughout the year for people of all ages and abilities. She will also oversee CCM’s Summer Programs for youth, teens and adults. Perrino's appointment begins on June 30, 2025.
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CCM welcomes new music theory faculty member Sam Reenan
June 6, 2025
UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Sam Reenan, PhD, as CCM's new Assistant Professor of Music Theory. His faculty appointment officially begins on Aug. 15, 2025. Reenan holds a PhD and MA in music theory from the Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester) and bachelor’s degrees in music theory and biological sciences from the University of Connecticut. As an educator, Reenan strives to facilitate students’ growth as engaged musical thinkers, communicators and respectful collaborators.
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CCM welcomes Jessie Grant as Assistant Dean of Student Services
June 4, 2025
UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras recently announced the appointment of Jessie L. Grant, PhD, as CCM's new Assistant Dean of Student Services. In this role, Grant will coordinate CCM’s academic advising program, connect students with college and university-level resources, and evaluate CCM policies and processes to better serve the college’s undergraduate and graduate students. Grant's appointment officially began on June 2, 2025.