Harp

A female harp student performs with the Wind Symphony on the Corbett Auditorium stage

The study of harp at CCM is strongly performance based. The cornerstone of all degree programs is private lessons with faculty, who serve as mentors for students and direct their individual musical, performing and teaching growth. 

The curriculum emphasizes the development of the well-rounded, holistic musician by providing a solid background in music history and theory as well as areas specific to each musical medium. Undergraduate students enjoy a close collaboration with the University of Cincinnati through a general education core that supplements their education with academic course work while graduate students specialize more precisely in their chosen field.

Harp Faculty

Headshot of Gillian Benet Benet Sella

Gillian Benet Benet Sella

Adjunct Professor of Harp

513-556-3276


Strings Department Chair

Headshot of Rachel  Calin

Rachel Calin

Chair of Strings Department; Professor of Double Bass

513-556-1118

Performance Studies Division Head and Staff

Headshot of Daniel Weeks

Daniel Weeks

Interim Division Head of Performance Studies; Professor of Voice

513-556-6830

Headshot of Sarah Minneman

Sarah Minneman

Chamber Music Coordinator

Headshot of Claudia C. Penn

Claudia C. Penn

Executive Staff Assistant

513-556-3442

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.

Harp - 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
  • Two solos of contrasting stylistic periods of the applicant’s choice (preferably by memory) from standard harp repertoire
  • Two orchestral excerpts of the applicant’s choice

Audition

Audition Requirements
  • Two solos of contrasting stylistic periods of the applicant’s choice (preferably by memory) from standard harp repertoire
  • Sight reading
  • Two orchestral excerpts of the applicant’s choice

Harp - MM

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
  • Two solos of contrasting stylistic periods of the applicant’s choice (preferably by memory).  
    • One solo could be a movement of a concerto such as Mozart’s “Concerto for Flute and Harp,” Debussy’s “Danses,” Ravel’s “Introduction and Allegro”  or another concerto of comparable difficulty (flute and/or piano accompaniment not necessary).
  • Two standard orchestral excerpts

Audition

Audition Requirements
  • Two solos of contrasting stylistic periods of the applicant’s choice (preferably by memory) from standard harp repertoire
  • Sight reading
  • Two orchestral excerpts of the applicant’s choice

Harp - 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
  • Two solos of contrasting stylistic periods of the applicant’s choice (preferably by memory).
  • One movement of a concerto such as Mozart’s "Concerto for Flute and Harp," Debussy’s "Danses," Ravel’s "Introduction and Allegro" or another concerto of comparable difficulty (flute and/or piano accompaniment not necessary)
  • Two standard orchestral excerpts
  • A contemporary work from the 20th or 21st century

Audition

Audition Requirements
  • Two solos of contrasting stylistic periods of the applicant’s choice (preferably by memory).
  • One movement of a concerto such as Mozart’s "Concerto for Flute and Harp," Debussy’s "Danses," Ravel’s "Introduction and Allegro" or another concerto of comparable difficulty (flute and/or piano accompaniment not necessary)
    Two standard orchestral excerpts
  • A contemporary work from the 20th or 21st century
  • Sight Reading

News and Events

1

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.

2

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.

3

CCM Philharmonia performs a US premiere in Nov. 25 concert

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.

4

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.

5

Now streaming: CCM’s season-opening performance of Mahler’s...

October 16, 2024

The UC College-Conservatory of Music opened its 2024-25 concert series in epic fashion on Saturday, Sept. 21, with a sold out performance of Gustav Mahler’s colossal Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection," in Corbett Auditorium. The entire performance is now available for on-demand streaming below, including opening remarks by new CCM Dean Pete Jutras. This performance of Mahler's Resurrection Symphony features the combined forces of the CCM Philharmonia student orchestra, CCM Chamber Choir, CCM Chorale and UC Choruses, along with alumni guest artists Amanda Woodbury (soprano) and Kayleigh Decker (mezzo-soprano). CCM faculty member Mark Gibson conducts.

6

A harpist in the US Marine Band: Spotlight on CCM alumna Taylor...

September 23, 2024

CCM alumna Taylor Fleshman joined "The President's Own" United States Marine Band as the harpist in July 2023. A Staff Sergeant in the Marine Corps., Fleshman's role as the Marine Band's harpist includes being a featured soloist when the ensemble performs at the White House and in annual concert tours across the country.

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