Organ and Harpsichord

A female organ student performs in the Feast of Carols concert in Corbett Auditorium

CCM offers a full range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in both organ and harpsichord.

Bachelor of Music (BM) degrees are available in both majors. CCM also offers a degree in Music Education with concentration in these instruments. The Music Education program can be completed in conjunction with major study, constituting a double major which is normally a five year program.

CCM also offers a Bachelor of Arts degree for the student wishing to pursue a more liberal arts oriented program of studies while maintaining their concentration in music. This degree offers a greater emphasis on non-music academics, and is designed for students who do not seek either a performing or a music education degree. Learn more about the Music BA program.

Master of Music (MM), Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Artist Diploma (AD) degrees are also offered.

Organ Study

Organ study at CCM emphasizes the development of musical, performing and teaching skills. The degree programs are rigorous in their challenges, while retaining flexibility in order to address each student’s needs on an individual basis. In addition to the eight pipe organs in CCM, students have access to many of the finest instruments in the city.

Learn More About the BM Program Learn More About the MM Program Learn More About the DMA Program Learn More About the AD Program

Harpsichord Study

Harpsichord study at CCM exposes keyboardists to the full range of expressive, technical and historical elements associated with stylistic early keyboard performance. Lessons emphasize healthy and responsive technique while simultaneously revealing the colors of the instrument as well as the nuanced language of baroque rhetoric. Classes in basso continuo bring new perspective and skill to the art of accompanying, enhancing students’ improvisational and keyboard harmony capabilities while opening them up to a deeper awareness of early ensemble practices. Several fine harpsichords are available, along with a fortepiano and fretted clavichord. Visiting artists are often invited to coach, play with and perform for early keyboard and Baroque Performance students at CCM.

Learn More About the BM Program Learn More About the MM Program Learn More About the DMA Program Learn More About the AD Program

Faculty

Headshot of Stephan Anthony Casurella

Stephan Anthony Casurella, 

Adjunct Instructor of Liturgical Organ

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Headshot of John Austin Deaver

John Austin Deaver, 

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Keyboard Studies

859-431-1786

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Headshot of Michael Unger

Michael Unger, 

Associate Professor of Keyboard (Organ and Harpsichord)

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Keyboard Studies Division Head and Staff

Headshot of Andy Villemez

Andy Villemez, 

Interim Division Head of Keyboard Studies; Associate Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy

513-556-6825

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Headshot of Suzanne M Wright

Suzanne M Wright, 

Executive Staff Assistant for Music Education and Keyboard Studies

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CCM's admissions process begins on August 1 (undergraduate) and September 1 (graduate) 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.

Harpsichord - BM

Pre-screening

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.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • Prepare two contrasting pieces from the standard harpsichord repertoire that demonstrate the applicant’s technical and musical skills.
    • Selections should represent contrasting chronological and national schools: English, French, Italian, German, Iberian, etc. 
  • Memorization is not required.
  • For undergraduate applicants with a strong piano background who wish to major in harpsichord, one of the two pieces may be a piano selection from the standard repertoire.

Audition

Audition Requirements
  • Same repertoire requirements as the pre-screening audition.
  • The audition will have a short sight-reading exercise.
  • Candidates will also have a brief interview.
Audition Dates
  • February 7 (on campus)
  • February 14 (on campus)

Recorded auditions are permitted and must be uploaded to Acceptd by February 1.

Harpsichord - MM, DMA, AD

Pre-screening

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 interview.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • Prepare three contrasting pieces from the standard harpsichord repertoire that demonstrate the applicant’s technical and musical skills.
    • Repertoire selections should represent contrasting chronological and national schools: English, French, Italian, German, Iberian, etc.
  • Memorization is not required.

Audition

Audition Requirements

  • Audition requirements are the same as the pre-screening requirements.
  • Candidates will have a brief interview with faculty.
Audition Dates
  • February 7 (on campus)
  • February 14 (on campus)

Recorded auditions are permitted and must be uploaded to Acceptd by February 1.

Organ - BM

Pre-screening

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.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • Prepare two contrasting pieces from the standard organ literature that demonstrate the applicant’s technical and musical skills. One selection must be from the 17th or 18th century, and the other from the 19th, 20th or 21st century. 
  • Memorization is not required.
  • For undergraduate applicants with a strong piano background who wish to major in organ, one of the two pieces may be a piano selection from the standard repertoire.

Audition

Audition Requirements
  • Same repertoire requirements as the pre-screening audition.
  • The audition will have a short sight-reading exercise for manuals only.
  • Candidates will also have a brief interview.
Audition Dates
  • February 7 (on campus)
  • February 14 (on campus

Recorded auditions are permitted and must be uploaded to Acceptd by February 1.

Organ - MM, DMA, AD

Pre-screening

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.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • Prepare three contrasting pieces from the standard organ literature that demonstrate the applicant’s technical and musical skills. One selection should be from the 17th or 18th century, and the other two from the 19th, 20th or 21st century. 
  • Memorization is not required.

Audition

Audition Requirements
  • Audition requirements are the same as the pre-screening requirements.
  • Candidates will have a brief interview with faculty.
Audition Dates
  • February 7 (on campus)
  • February 14 (on campus)

Recorded auditions are permitted and must be uploaded to Acceptd by February 1.

In state-of-the-art facilities, students practice and perform on instruments that include 200 pianos, eight harpsichords, a fortepiano, a clavichord and seven pipe organs. Keyboard Studies majors have separate practice rooms, and CCM's performance spaces include four traditional halls plus other chamber spaces. These features contribute to an environment conducive to improving musical and performing skills, helping to prepare students for their professional careers. Learn more about the CCM Village.

The city of Cincinnati offers a rich cultural environment for students: the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Playhouse in the Park, as well as ballet, opera and art museums. Many local churches, along with the Cincinnati Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and CCM’s own Tangeman Sacred Music Center, offer a variety of concerts, lectures and master classes to students throughout the year.

News and Events

1

CCM hosts Moveable Feast gala fundraiser on Jan. 24, 2025

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. Learn more about the event's "artistic menu" in our digital program!

2

CCM winter apparel available for purchase online

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.

3

Giving Tuesday: Support CCM health and wellness

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.

4

Attend a concert or show at CCM: Spring schedule of major events...

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.

5

Take a virtual tour of CCM’s world-class facilities

October 21, 2024

Tomorrow's performing and media arts professionals get their start at CCM. Enjoy this inside look at our campus! There’s no place like the UC College-Conservatory of Music's award-winning campus, but don’t just take our word for it. Enjoy our new video tour of CCM's world-class facilities from the comfort of your own home! Current CCM students Annalee Crosser, Yasmine Bougacha and Trey Durr act as your virtual tour guides, providing an inside look at the state-of-the-art classrooms, studios and performance facilities of the "CCM Village."

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