General Studies

Female students discuss a piece of sheet music in a CCM Compostion classroom

CCM's Division of General Studies provides students with flexible pathways for the study of music as a cultural and artistic practice through either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or an Academic Minor program.

General Studies also offers a wide variety of Fine Arts Elective courses, which are open to all UC students. Current courses are listed in CCM's Arts for All offerings.

Academic Programs

Faculty

Headshot of Rico Allen

Rico Allen

Instructor - Adjunct

513-556-6638

Headshot of Anne Ruth Barr McAllister

Anne Ruth Barr McAllister

Adjunct Instructor of General Studies

Headshot of Steve L Beirens

Steve L Beirens

Adjunct Instructor in General Studies (Dance)

513-556-2700

Headshot of Shelina Louise Brown

Shelina Louise Brown

Assistant Professor of American Music

513-556-6046

Headshot of Betty Douglas

Betty Douglas

Adjunct Instructor of General Studies

859-992-7309

Headshot of Laura Duque

Laura Duque

Instructor - Adj

513-556-5803

Headshot of James Feist

James Feist

Adjunct Assistant Professor

513-556-6046

Headshot of Catherine Fields

Catherine Fields

Adjunct Instructor of General Studies

Headshot of Jeri Deckard Gatch

Jeri Deckard Gatch

Instructor - Adjunct

513-658-5374

Headshot of Ellen R. Harrison

Ellen R. Harrison

Adjunct Associate Professor of Composition; CCM Prep Master Teacher, Theory and Composition

513-556-6046

Headshot of Alexandra Kori  Hill

Alexandra Kori Hill

Adjunct Instructor of Musicology

513-556-6046

Headshot of Owen David Hopper

Owen David Hopper

Instructor - Adj

513-556-3442

Headshot of Richard Hordinski

Richard Hordinski

Adjunct Professor in General Studies (Commercial Music)

513-556-6046

Headshot of Julius Jenkins

Julius Jenkins

Adjunct Instructor of Dance and General Studies

513-556-2700

Headshot of Roger Klug

Roger Klug

Professor - Educator in General Studies (Music)

513-556-9498

Headshot of Wenbin   Lyu

Wenbin Lyu

Adjunct Instructor of General Studies

513-556-6638

Headshot of Matthew Rush McAllister

Matthew Rush McAllister

Instructor - Adjunct

513-556-6638

Headshot of David B McDonnell

David B McDonnell

Adjunct Instructor in General Studies (Music)

513-556-6046

Headshot of Jacob McGlaun

Jacob McGlaun

Adjunct Instructor of General Studies

513-556-5803

Headshot of Ihaiah Miller

Ihaiah Miller

Adjunct Instructor of General Studies

513-556-2700

Headshot of Kim C. Pensyl

Kim C. Pensyl

Division Head - General Studies; Program Director - Commercial Music Production; Professor of Music

513-633-4606

Headshot of Holly Pratt

Holly Pratt

Professor of Music - Educator; Director of Music Minor Program

513-556-6046

Headshot of Gabriel Saba

Gabriel Saba

Academic Advisor; Adjunct Instructor of General Studies

513-556-9509

Headshot of Karen E Shiota

Karen E Shiota

Adjunct Instructor of General Studies (Music)

513-556-2595

Headshot of Kazuaki Shiota

Kazuaki Shiota

Adjunct Instructor in General Studies (Music)

513-556-6046

Headshot of Sarah Summerwell

Sarah Summerwell

Instructor - Adjunct

513-556-5803

Headshot of Kristy Swift

Kristy Swift

Assistant Professor of Musicology - Educator

513 556 9510


General Studies Division Head and Staff

Headshot of Kim C. Pensyl

Kim C. Pensyl

Division Head - General Studies; Program Director - Commercial Music Production; Professor of Music

513-633-4606

Headshot of Darlene Y. Miller

Darlene Y. Miller

Executive Staff Assistant

513-556-6046

CCM's undergradaute admissions process begins on August 1 for entrance in the following year's fall semester. All application materials must be submitted on or before December 1 to be considered for specific scholarship awards. Visit the CCM Admissions website for additional application instructions.

Music - BA

Pre-screening

Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 (first-year applicants) or March 3 (transfer and current UC students) in order to be considered for admissions and invited for an interview.

Please note: you must submit your UC Common application (and supplemental materials) by December 1 to be considered for UC merit-based scholarships.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • 300-word essay describing how what the BA in Music offers would further your musical interests and future career goals.
  • 500 word writing sample on any topic
  • Upload contact information for one reference 
  • Evidence of your creative process, which may include an audio or video recording of a performance, a score or musical composition, or an essay on a musical subject
Additional Information

The Bachelor of Arts in Music degree at CCM is a liberal arts degree that provides students with flexible pathways for the study of music as a cultural and artistic practice. Ample electives allow for a breadth of approaches to music studies, and more than half of the coursework allows students to explore courses outside of music, with possibilities for double-majors, minors, certificate programs and pre-med or pre-law coursework. Because of the liberal arts focus of this degree, students primarily interested in studying performance should apply to a bachelor of music degree in their chosen performance area instead. Private lessons in a performance area are encouraged within this program; however, if an applicant wants to study at the secondary or concentration level, the applicant will need to be admitted by faculty in the applied performance area in addition to the BA-Music program.

The BA in Music culminates in a liberal arts degree, which can be a gateway to careers in music and allied fields, including music promotions, arts administration, music therapy, journalism, enthnomusicology, musicology, music theory, composition, songwriting, commercial music production and library science.

Because of the liberal arts focus of the bachelor of arts degree, students primarily interested in performance should apply to a bachelor of music (BM) degree in their instrument.

The BA Music curriculum is flexible, and students design their coursework to emphasize particular skill areas or to complete a broader course of study that samples from all areas. Ample electives allow for the possibility to complete double-majors, minors, certificate programs (including pre-law or pre-med coursework) and to participate in study abroad opportunities. These experiences culminate in an individual capstone research project with a CCM faculty member.

The Music Minor at CCM provides students with a broad general education in Music. The minor offers non-music majors exposure to music through courses in musicology and ethnomusicology, music theory, music composition, music technology, jazz history and studies, commercial music production, and performance studies. Students already pursuing a degree in any college at UC can add the minor to their program. The minor is intended for students who want to develop a specialty in music that will complement other areas of study.

Application Process

All applicants must be current UC students. CCM accepts 10-15 minor applicants each year. Students interested in applying for the Music Minor should submit a complete copy of their most recent Degree Audit and a 500-word essay explaining their educational and career goals and why they wish to minor in Music. Submissions for the Music Minor should be emailed to division head Professor Kimothy Pensyl and copied to Darlene Miller, executive assistant. Questions should be directed to Darlene Miller via email or at 513-556-6046. All applications are due by Nov. 1.

In applying for the minor, students affirm their understanding that:

  • admission to advanced classes intended for music majors may be restricted;
  • certain classes may require students to supply a laptop and software applications; and
  • certain ensmbles/applied study may require the student to provide their own instrument.

Curriculum Overview

Students must complete 20 credit hours for the Music Minor. The curriculum is adaptable so that students may design their coursework to emphasize a particular skill area or to complete a broader course of study that samples from multiple areas. In addition to a Music Core of 11 credits, students in the Music minor program can choose 9 credit hours of music electives in any of the following six categories: compositional techniques, ethnographic approaches, sound technologies, cultural history, analytical techniques, and applied music-making (ensembles, choirs, labs, as appropriate). Students must take at least one 3-credit hour course at the 3000- level or above.


News and Events

1

New CCM apparel available for purchase online

February 14, 2024

Show your school spirit this spring with official CCM apparel! New UC College-Conservatory of Music apparel is available for purchase online. CCM's Spring 2024 t-shirt and hoodie designs can be ordered online now through March 18, 2024.

2

Next OnStage: CCM shares spring schedule of major events

November 13, 2023

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 spring 2024 schedule of major events is now available; tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.

3

UC students: Enroll now for CCM's spring 2024 arts electives

October 24, 2023

UC’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) offers dozens of different general studies and arts elective courses in spring 2024. These credit-granting courses are open to all UC students and cover a wide range of topics including dance, movies and media, music and theatre arts!

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