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:
513-556-9424
513-556-9424
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.
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: 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 20, 2024
The UC College-Conservatory of Music's concert series continued on November 1 with a performance by the CCM Wind Symphony presenting multiple pieces by guest composer Viet Cuong, who is one of the most inventive voices in the wind repertoire. The centerpiece of the concert was Cuong’s piece Re(new)al, a concerto for percussion quartet that celebrates the innovations of renewable energy. The four soloists use crystal glasses, a single snare drum, compressed air cans and more to evoke three sources of renewable energy: hydro, wind and solar.
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 15, 2024
The CCM Wind Ensemble and CCM Wind Symphony perform two programs of exciting repertoire over the span of two days — both performances feature guest conductor Mark Davis Scatterday. The November 20 “Masterworks” concert features the full Wind Ensemble in large-scale pieces ranging from Bernstein to Milhaud. The November 21 concert features the CCM Wind Symphony Chamber Winds, performing intimate selections from Mozart, Stravinsky and Grainger.. 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 25, 2024
The CCM Wind Symphony continues its season at 7:30 p.m.on Friday, Nov. 1 in Corbett Auditorium with “Renewal,” a concert featuring inspiring and forward-thinking music. Anchoring the program are two pieces by guest composer Viet Cuong, one of the most inventive voices in the wind repertoire. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.
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."
