CCM's Department of Wind Studies offers five ensembles for credit, including the CCM Wind Symphony, CCM Wind Ensemble, CCM Chamber Winds, CCM Musica Nova and CCM Brass Choir.
Each ensemble meets two to three times per week and each performs six full programs annually. Each graduate conducting student conducts all five of these ensembles each year, supervised by Director of Wind Studies Kevin Michael Holzman.
CCM offers both the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting. The following courses are core to both programs:
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 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:
a vibrant performance
Janelle's Notes
Committed to performing diverse and exciting programs, the CCM Wind Symphony is comprised of highly advanced performers of wind and percussion instruments. The ensemble is internationally recognized as one of the finest groups of its kind. Each semester the players are auditioned and assigned parts on a rotating basis. Following a philosophy of one player per part and adopting flexible instrumentation according to the composer’s intentions, the ensemble performs chamber music, selected transcriptions, concerti and original full ensemble repertoire spanning five centuries. The CCM Wind Symphony performs six concerts on campus per season and also participates in recording sessions for album release under the Klavier Records label.
Acknowledged as "wonderful and exciting" with performances described as "powerful, moving and thrilling," the CCM Wind Ensemble draws its membership from the finest undergraduate and graduate musicians. Acclaimed for the quality of its performances as well as the diversity and originality of its programming, the CCM Wind Ensemble is dedicated to bringing the finest traditional and contemporary literature to their audiences. This organization has appeared numerous times before the Ohio Music Educators Association, the Kentucky Music Educators Association, the American Society of University Composers, and has been heard nationally through broadcasts on National Public Radio.
The CCM Chamber Winds is comprised of two double wind quintets and focuses on standard wind chamber music repertoire, including works by such composers as Mozart, Krommer, Beethoven, and Strauss, as well as more contemporary repertoire. The CCM Chamber Winds ensemble performs at CCM and throughout the Greater Cincinnati community.
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.
CCM’s newest ensemble, CCM Musica Nova was founded in 2022. Consisting of a solo compliment of strings, winds, keyboards and percussion, it is dedicated to the music of living composers. The ensemble performs five programs per year of exciting and innovative new music composed by some of the world’s most renowned and creative artists.
All graduate students in wind conducting that are in full-time residence receive a University Graduate Scholarship for full tuition. Wind Conducting majors also receive a 90% assistantship for 18 hours of work per week. Duties for the assistantship are divided among the studio and include:
Wind Conducting majors are assigned repertoire to rehearse and perform with five ensembles on a rotating basis, normally working with all ensembles each year.
August 1, 2025
CCM Dean Peter J. Jutras shares a message with the college community ahead of the 2025-26 academic year and performance season.
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.
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.
April 23, 2025
UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Tyler Ehrlich, DMA, as CCM's new Assistant Professor and Assistant Director of Wind Studies. In this role, which begins on Aug. 15, Ehrlich will conduct the CCM Wind Ensemble, oversee CCM’s doctoral cognate in wind conducting and teach conducting, literature and music education courses.
Event: March 12, 2025 7:30 PM
The CCM Wind Symphony continues their season with Summon the Heroes: A John Williams Celebration. Featuring music from beloved blockbusters like Star Wars and Indiana Jones, the concert is a chance for audiences to experience movie magic in the concert hall. Rounding out the program is Gershwin’s showstopping Rhapsody in Blue, performed by CCM pianist Trinity Le. The concert takes place Wednesday March 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Corbett Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.
Event: February 2, 2025 4:00 PM
The CCM Wind Symphony is joined by the Cincinnati Wind Band and the CCM Trombone Choir to present a thrilling concert of collaborations, culminating in a performance of Respighi’s epic Pines of Rome. Titled "Inspirations" the performance is at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 2 in Corbett Auditorium.
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!
