CCM's orchestral program provides an unparalleled educational and performance experience for hundreds of instrumentalists each year.
The breadth of each season’s concert series rivals many of the world’s great performing organizations. As a result, students become versed in a body of repertoire that encompasses more than most conservatories venture to program.
The close bond between the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and CCM’s orchestral program invigorates student conductors and instrumentalists alike, and our commitment to high standards enriches the cultural life of Cincinnati.
CCM offers graduate degrees in orchestral conducting at the masters (MM) and doctoral (DMA) levels. Under the tutelage of Mark Gibson, director of orchestral studies, student conductors learn the craft in a high-profile program at one of the finest conservatories in the country.
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CCM's graduate admissions process begins on September 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.
Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be considered for admissions and invited for an audition.
Note: Your video should be from the ensemble perspective, not from behind the conductor.
Applicants who pass the pre-screening will be invited to campus for an interview, conducting audition, and skills exam. Details of the audition will be sent to the appropriate applicants in January.
Applicants who pass the pre-screening will be invited to campus for an interview, conducting audition, and skills exam. Details of the audition will be sent to the appropriate applicants in January.
The in-person audition will consist of:
the flair and technique of a professional ensemble
Rafael's Music Notes
Under the direction of Professor Mark Gibson, the CCM Philharmonia is the college's premier orchestral ensemble and is recognized as one of the world's elite conservatory orchestras. The CCM Philharmonia has risen to world prominence through the quality of its performances, recordings, and its national and international tours. The CCM Philharmonia serves as the opera orchestra for the Conservatory's award-winning opera productions. Members of the CCM Philharmonia are regularly divided into chamber orchestras for a variety of specialized and high-profile performances.
The CCM Concert Orchestra shares a wind and brass rotation with the Philharmonia, with a slightly younger string section. Graduate students provide leadership in the strings, helping the orchestra achieve a high level of performance. Concert Orchestra performs a full season of nine events, often taking the stage alongside the Philharmonia, and performs with both the Mainstage Opera series and CCM’s annual “Feast of Carols” celebration.
The UC Symphony Orchestra is a campus orchestra, open to all students regardless of major. Optional small ensembles, various community service events, and social events are offered throughout the year.
Founded in 1946 by Ernest N. Glover, the CCM Brass Choir is comprised of French horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion and performs original and transcribed music for brass ensemble. Directed by Professor Timothy Northcut, the Brass Choir has been featured at nearly every important educational conference in the United States, and serves as a leading collegiate brass ensemble.
Event: January 24, 2025 12:00 AM
UC College-Conservatory of Music hosts its Moveable Feast fundraising gala live and in-person on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. Presented by CCMpower, a dedicated volunteer group of friends, advocates and alumni, Moveable Feast 2025: A Tempo generates essential support for the next generation of performing and media artists at CCM.
November 27, 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 latest quarter zip and crewneck sweatshirt designs can be ordered online now through Dec. 8, 2024. You can preview both items below.
November 26, 2024
For the UC College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) community, Giving Tuesday offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact by supporting Student Health and Wellness. As our students dedicate themselves to the arts – pursuing rigorous schedules filled with practice, performance, and academic study – their mental and physical well-being is crucial.
Event: November 25, 2024 7:30 PM
The CCM Philharmonia welcomes distinguished guest conductor Guido Rumstadt, from the Hochschule für Musik in Nuremberg, in a program spanning 200 years of German music on Monday, Nov. 25. Featuring CCM faculty artist Dror Biran in Schumann’s beloved Piano Concerto in A Minor. Tickets are on sale through the CCM Box Office.
November 18, 2024
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 2025 schedule of major events is now available; tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.
November 13, 2024
This year, four UC College-Conservatory of Music alumni and one current faculty member are among the nominees named for the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, which will be held in February of 2025. Represented across five categories, the Bearcats specifically named in the Grammy's published list of nominees include CCM Associate Professor of Voice Elliot Madore along with alumni Shoshana Bean (BFA Musical Theatre '99), Aaron Lazar (MFA Musical Theatre, ’00), Kevin McCollum (BFA Musical Theatre ’84, HonDoc ’05), Fotina Naumenko (MM Voice ‘12, DMA Voice ‘18), Jeannette Sorrell (MM Orchestral Conducting, att. ‘86-88) and Donald Nally (BM Music Education ‘82).
Event: November 21, 2024 8:00 PM
UC College-Conservatory of Music presents "Wonderful Town" on Nov. 21-23 in Corbett Auditorium. Directed by CCM Musical Theatre Professor Diane Lala, the musical features a Book by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov, Music by Leonard Bernstein, and Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.
November 1, 2024
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. In addition, the college is also welcoming several current faculty members into new leadership roles this year.
October 24, 2024
Just like in the real world, opera is full of human hopes, fears, love and heartbreak. With larger-than-life characters and drama, some opera can seem to have more in common with The Real World, MTV’s classic reality show that launched the genre. CCM Opera’s production of Mozart’s La finta giardiniera takes this similarity and runs with it: the story all unfolds on a soundstage, and the characters are all members of a reality TV cast who play up their personal drama for the benefit of the cameras. The production runs Oct 31-Nov 2 in Patricia Corbett Theater. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.
