Piano study at CCM emphasizes the development of pianistic, musical, performing and teaching skills.
All degree programs are designed to integrate the great traditions of the past with the development of skills necessary for the demands of the music profession in the 21st century. The various degree programs are rigorous in their challenges, while retaining flexibility in order to address each student's relative strengths and weaknesses on an individual basis. Piano students at CCM can avail themselves of the enormous variety of programs offered by the college and the university to supplement the core music curriculum.
The philosophy of the CCM Piano Department is one of strong reliance on the mentoring process, by which the students' private teachers guide them both pianistically and musically, and advise them in all aspects of their overall education and development. Our goal is to prepare our students to excel in the demands of college life as well as to prepare them for the rigors of today's professional world.
A Bachelor of Music (BM) is available in piano, as well as in organ and harpsichord. There is also 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.
A Master of Music (MM) degree is offered in both piano and collaborative piano. Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Artist Diploma (AD) degrees are also offered in piano.
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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.
Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be considered for admissions.
The repertoire requirements are the same as the pre-screening requirements.
Recorded auditions are permitted and must be uploaded to Acceptd by February 1.
Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be invited for an audition and considered for admissions.
Recorded auditions are permitted and must be uploaded to Acceptd by February 1.
Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be considered for admissions.
Recorded auditions are permitted and must be uploaded to Acceptd by February 1.
Upload the following three-page PDF document to your graduate application:
*Interviews will be determined after admissions decisions are released.
Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3.
Applicants who are invited to audition must send their choices from the following repertoire three weeks before your scheduled live audition date to Professor Griffiths [griffikr@ucmail.uc.edu]
If you are especially interested in instrumental collaboration, you may substitute the first movement of Rachmaninov’s Sonata for Cello and Piano instead of the above options and offer two art songs plus one of the opera selections above.
All collaborative piano applicants will have two sight-reading tests:
Recorded auditions are not permitted.
Open to all pianists, no pre-screening required.
See AD Opera Coaching for more information about pre-screening and live audition requirements.
In addition, applicants for the studio accompanist assistantship must email Professor Kenneth Griffiths at griffikr@ucmail.uc.edu the following:
CCM's Collaborative Piano MM degree includes the opportunity to hone your craft with our exceptionally talented singers and instrumentalists, guided by the department's experienced and highly respected faculty. Additionally, Collaborative Piano majors receive individual lessons weekly from Piano Department faculty members as well as the collaborative piano faculty.
In addition to the Graduate Assistantship awards, the Collaborative Department will award a $5,000 scholarship to the outstanding applicant of the year.
“CCM’s collaborative piano program gave me the necessary skills and opportunities to begin and sustain a career in this richly varied field. I am endlessly grateful for the faculty’s knowledge, leadership, and guidance, as well as the relationships I built with classmates who have become lifelong friends and colleagues.”
Allen Perriello (MM 2008)
“The industry-leading and renowned CCM Collaborative Piano faculty have taken a personal interest in my development as an artist and have provided me with all the tools necessary to succeed in the profession. My education coupled with the vibrant Cincinnati arts community has given me valuable and varied experience that will enable my future success.”
Parker Konkle MM 2024
Incoming music majors (except piano majors) must sign up for the appropriate piano sequence.
After you have completed your requirements, you may take Elective Piano Study.
For those majors expecting proof of piano proficiency, an examination is issued by your area of study. See your advisor for the administration of this proficiency.
If you are required by your advisor to take piano courses to become proficient, sign up for:
Group piano for non-music majors is designed for students who wish to learn music reading, piano technique, music theory and chord playing. Courses are geared towards students with 0-2 years of piano backgrround and are open to non-CCM students.
The piano elective is available for CCM students who have completed their degree requirements and for university students with previous piano experience. Eight years of previous piano study is usually necessary, and an audition may be required.
Students need the permission of CCM's Keyboard Studies Division head in order to sign up for the piano elective. Contact Professor Michelle Conda for more information.
If the class is closed, sign up on the waiting list outside 5221 Mary Emery Hall. If a spot opens up, you will be contacted.
Direct all questions to Michelle Conda, Coordinator of Secondary Piano and Piano Pedagogy.
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 our piano students. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is a world-class ensemble, and features top soloists throughout the season. In addition there are piano recital and chamber music series in several venues around Cincinnati, as well as ballet, opera and art museums. Visiting artists are often invited to give master classes at CCM; recent guests include Emanuel Ax, Barry Douglas, Gary Graffman and Claude Frank.
July 7, 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.
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.
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.
May 28, 2025
UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Avan Yu, DMA, as CCM's new Assistant Professor of Piano. His faculty appointment officially begins this fall. One of Canada’s most compelling pianists, Yu has been praised for his “glittering virtuosity” (West Australian) and “astonishing sensitivity” (La Presse). He has performed extensively across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia, appearing at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Philharmonie in Berlin, Salle Cortot in Paris and the Sydney Opera House.
Event: April 25, 2025 12:00 AM
UC College-Conservatory of Music celebrates the last day of classes for the spring semester with an inspiring CCM Wind Symphony performance — featuring faculty artist Dror Biran on piano. The "Hope Springs Eternal" concert also welcomes guest ensemble the Walnut Hills High School Wind Ensemble. Presented at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25, tickets for the performance are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.
Event: April 17, 2025 7:30 PM
The CCM Philharmonia closes its 2024-25 season with a trip to the City of Lights! A culmination of students' work throughout the year, the "Tour de France" concert is presented at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 17 in Corbett Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.
April 7, 2025
The CCM Philharmonia student orchestra continued its 2024-25 concert season on Feb. 19, performing works inspired by the natural wonders and legends of Northern Europe and Russia. Dubbed "Northern Lights," the eclectic program included concertos by composers Alexander Scriabin and Sergei Prokofiev, giving student soloists a chance to shine. The concert concluded with a rarely-heard pairing of two stunning works by Finnish master Jean Sibelius. Selections from that concert are now available for on-demand viewing.
Event: March 25, 2025 7:30 PM
The Ariel Quartet, CCM's String Quartet-in-Residence, concludes its 2024-25 season with a program featuring music by Beethoven and Hungarian composer Ernő Dohnányi. Joined by pianist Orion Weiss, the concert takes place Tuesday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Robert J. Werner Recital Hall. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.
February 17, 2025
The UC College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) invites audiences to experience the beauty and brilliance of "Northern Lights," an evening of music performed by students of the CCM Philharmonia, led by CCM Director of Orchestral Studies Mark Gibson.
