Graduate Programs
CCM offers both a Master of Music in Composition (MM) degree and a Doctoral of Musical Arts in Composition (DMA) degree.
From the outset, students at CCM study with major teachers of their choice and are encouraged to study with multiple teachers during the course of their degree. Extensive work is done in CCM’s computer music studios. Interaction with student performers under professors’ guidance is offered in workshop courses. Multidisciplinary courses are occasionally team-taught by composition faculty and faculty in other disciplines (dance, visual art, etc.).
Composers of national and international renown visit CCM to teach, lecture and meet informally with students to discuss their own work and that of other composers. These visits sometimes coincide with performances of the composer's work by CCM ensembles or other ensembles in the greater Cincinnati area such as the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Visits by guest composers add a valuable element to CCM's commitment to the creation, performance and recognition of new music. Guests have included such distinguished composers as John Adams, Timo Andres, Christopher Cerrone, Gabriela Lena Frank, Jennifer Higdon, Nathalie Joachim, Missy Mazolli, Andrew Norman, Iris de Schiphorst, Carl Vine, Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon, and many others.
The master's program is designed to provide a comprehensive course of study in the composition of music in both acoustic and electro acoustic mediums. A candidate is expected to compile a portfolio of compositions in the course of their studies in the master's program, culminating in a solo composition recital given towards the end of their degree program. To accomplish these goals, a candidate will need to develop the requisite skills associated with the technique of musical composition as well as familiarize themselves with the literature and aesthetic issues pertaining to the field. In addition, students in the master's program will undergo a course of study in graduate level theory and history needed in the formation of a well-rounded musician. The MM in composition helps students acquire competence in the broad range of endeavors characteristic of composing through the following requirements:
- Private Lessons
- Required courses in electronic music, music theory, music history, graduate research, and music electives in composition and other areas.
- MM Recital
- MM Orals Examination
- MM Thesis
Composition students at CCM enjoy a wide variety of performance opportunities ranging from small ensembles to readings and performances by large ensembles (orchestral, winds, chorus). CCM's composition students are also engaged in a number of activities outside the campus, such as performance in new music ensembles, participation in festivals and membership in professional societies. Support for these activities can be provided by the CCMPower fund. The CCM Center for Computer Music provides computer music studios and opportunities for composition, performance and research involving technology.
The DMA program is designed to provide a comprehensive course of study in the composition of music at the advanced level in both acoustic and electro acoustic mediums. A candidate is expected to compile a portfolio of compositions in the course of their studies in the DMA program, culminating in a solo composition recital given towards the end of their degree program. To accomplish these goals, a candidate will need to develop the requisite skills associated with the technique of musical composition, as well as familiarize themselves with the literature and aesthetic issues pertaining to the field. The DMA in composition helps students acquire competence in the broad range of endeavors characteristic of composing through the following requirements:
- Private lessons
- Required courses in electronic music, music history, graduate research, and music electives in composition and other areas.
- DMA Recital
- DMA Orals Presentation
- DMA Analytical Presentation
- DMA Dissertation
In addition, students in the DMA program will undergo a course of studies in a cognate area to be determined in consultation with faculty in both composition and the area of their chosen cognate.
Composition students at CCM enjoy a wide variety of performance opportunities ranging from small ensembles to readings and performances by large ensembles (orchestral, winds, chorus). CCM's composition students are also engaged in a number of activities outside the campus, such as performance in new music ensembles, participation in festivals and membership in professional societies. Support for these activities can be provided by the CCMpower fund. The CCM Center for Computer Music provides computer music studios and opportunities for composition, performance and research involving technology.
Students enrolled in a doctoral program at CCM are expected to demonstrate intellectual breadth through the completion of a significant program of study in a secondary field (cognate).
Cognate in Music Composition
The cognate in Music Composition cognate requires a minimum of 9 credit hours of courses offered within the Composition Department (i.e. with the “COMP” prefix in the course number).
The core course requirement for the cognate is Composition Elective (COMP6030, 1 to 2 course units), which the student should take for at least two consecutive semesters. This course enables the student to compose their own music under the guidance of weekly lessons with one of our Graduate Assistants in Composition.
Beyond that, the student may take any other course within the Composition program, provided the course is at the graduate level (i.e. 6000 course number or above). Available courses for which the student may register include the following:
- Composition Symposium (COMP6001, 1 course unit)
- Advanced Orchestration (COMP6012, 3 c.u.)
- Special Topics in Composition (COMP6011, 3 c.u.)
- Composer/Performer Workshop (COMP6002, 1-3 c.u.)
- Introductory courses in Electronic Music (Introduction to Electronic Music, Electronic Music Techniques (COMP6071, 6072, 3 c.u.)
- Advanced courses in Electronic Music (Music Programming Projects, Interactive Music, Timbre Studies, COMP6077, 6076, 3 c.u.)
- A variety of other courses available within the Composition program, such as Professional Aspects of a Composition Career, Shaping Time, Writing for Voice, etc.
Interested students first meet with a member of the Composition faculty to determine their interest and readiness to pursue a cognate in Composition. Once accepted, the student draws up a course plan in consultation with a member of the Composition faculty who acts as that student’s cognate advisor. After the student has completed their coursework in the cognate, they consult with their cognate advisor at least one semester before they take the DMA Orals Exam in their major to devise a focused course of study that will provide the basis for questioning during the cognate portion of the orals exam. The cognate advisor then questions the student on composition-related topics for 20 minutes during the cognate portion of the DMA Orals Exam. Once this requirement has been passed, the student has successfully completed the cognate.
Cognate in Musicology/Music History
The music history cognate will consist of three graduate-level MUHS topics courses or seminars (at least 9 semester hours at the 6000, 8000, or 9000 level). The student should consult with a musicology faculty member whose specialty is in an area of the student’s interest. If the faculty member agrees, they will become the student’s cognate advisor and will help the student draw up a suitable plan of study according to the following guidelines:
- At least one of the courses must be an 8000- or 9000-level course.
- Courses in ethnomusicology may be included if appropriate to the area of specialization
- The following courses may not be used for cognate hours:
- Any courses being used to fulfill the student’s degree requirement in music history
- Any courses being used as substitution for a DMA document.
The cognate advisor will participate on the committee for the student's final oral examination.
Cognate in Music Theory
The music theory cognate (12 credit hours) consists of three required courses (9 credit hours) and one graduate-level elective (3 credit hours). The cognate aims to provide students with a solid grounding in advanced tonal and post-tonal analysis, theory pedagogy and another practical/theoretical area depending on the student’s interest. Applicants will be interviewed by the cognate advisor (a member of the music theory faculty) to discuss their experience and interest in music theory. Approval will be granted to students with sufficient background and proficiency in analytical and/or theoretical studies in music at the bachelor’s and master’s levels.
Required Music Theory Cognate Courses (9 credit hours)
- Pedagogy of Theory (THRY 7015) 3
- Studies in Post-Tonal Analysis (THRY 8042) 3
- Studies in Tonal Analysis (THRY 8041) 3
Cognate electives (3 credit hours)
Students may choose any one course from the following list of graduate-level courses:
- Advanced Musicianship (THRY 6015)
- 16th-Century Counterpoint (THRY 6001)
- 18th-Century Counterpoint (THRY 6005)
- Special Topics (THRY 6060)
- Tonal Theory (THRY 7020)
- Readings in Music Theory (THRY 7050)
- Advanced Topics in Analysis (THRY 8001)
- Set Theory 2 (THRY 8012)
- Schenkerian Analysis 2 (THRY 8016)
- Introduction to Aesthetics (THRY 9001)
- History of Theory 1: Antiquity to 1600 (THRY 9011)
- History of Theory 2: 1600 to present (THRY 9012)
- Rhythm and Meter (THRY 9050)
- Seminar in Analysis (THRY 9082)
- Seminar in Music Theory (THRY 9081)
Cognate in Ethnomusicology
Students enrolled in a doctoral program at CCM are expected to demonstrate intellectual breadth through the completion of a significant program of study in a secondary field (cognate).
Requirements (9-15 credits)*:
- 3 credits: Theory and Historiography in Ethnomusicology (required)
- 1-3 credits: World Music Lab(s)
- 3-6 credits: Electives in ethnomusicology or related discipline(s) in consultation with faculty advisor.
* The following courses may not be used for cognate credits:
- Any courses being used to fulfill the student’s degree requirement in music history
- Any courses being used as substitution for a DMA thesis
The cognate advisor will participate on the committee for the student's final oral examination.