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Dean Jutras looks back on year two at CCM
September 23, 2026
CCM Dean Pete Jutras shares a message with the college's community as he enters his third year.
Horn
CCM offers a very comprehensive course of study for all horn students from freshman through doctoral levels. Our studio consists of 20 to 25 students from the US and abroad with approximately equal distribution of undergraduate and graduate students.
Students are thoroughly prepared to meet their professional goals, whether those goals are in performance or the academic world. We foster an attitude where intensely focused and purposeful study, structured to realize each student's musical potential, is conducted in a cooperative and friendly environment of very highly talented aspiring professionals. We believe in a "win-win" environment in which students help each other to succeed.
A few examples of professional organizations where CCM horn studio alumni have won positions include orchestras of Indianapolis, Buffalo, Edmonton, Honolulu, Louisville, Toledo, Dayton, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, Taiwan and China; the Washington DC Air Force, Navy, Army and Marine Bands; theatrical touring companies; academic appointments at University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh, Wright State University, Christopher Newport University and K-12 teaching positions.
CCM hornists have been members of the Verbier Festival Orchestra and Chicago Civic Orchestra, performed with the New World Symphony, won awards and honors at International Horn Society and International Women's Brass Conference workshops, and have been winners and honors recipients at solo competitions such as the International Horn Competition of America, Paxman Young Horn Player of the Year Competition and the Yamaha Young Artists Competition.
Our horn students are engaged periodically as extras with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. They also perform regularly with regional orchestras in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia and Tennessee.
Horn Faculty
Woodwinds, Brass and Percussion Department Chair
Pavel Vinnitsky,
Chair of Woodwinds, Brass and Percussion Department; Associate Professor of Clarinet
Performance Studies Division Head and Staff
James Bunte,
Division Head of Performance Studies; Professor of Saxophone
513-556-0825
CCM's admissions process begins on August 1 for entrance in the following year's fall semester. All application materials must be submitted on or before December 3 to be considered for specific scholarship awards. Visit the CCM Admissions website for additional application instructions.
Horn - BM
Pre-screening
Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 to be considered for admissions and invited for an audition.
Pre-screening Requirements
- J.F. Gallay: Etude No. 7 from 12 Etudes for Second Horn, Op. 57
- W. A. Mozart: First movement of Concerto No. 2 or 4, OR R. Strauss: First movement of Concerto No. 1
Audition
Audition Requirements For Performance Degree
- First movement of a Mozart or Strauss concerto, or solo of comparable difficulty from the standard repertoire
- Two etudes in contrasting styles by Kopprasch, Gallay or Maxime-Alphonse (Book II–IV)
- All major scales
- Pick ONE of the following options:
- Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5, mvt. 2, horn 1
- Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, nocturne, horn 1 AND Strauss Till Eulenspiegel, opening calls, horn 1
- Beethoven: Symphony No. 3, scherzo trio, horn 2
Audition Requirements For Music Education Majors Only
- Two etudes in contrasting styles by Kopprasch, Gallay or Maxime-Alphonse (Book II–IV)
- All major scales
- Pick ONE of the following options:
- Glière, Intermezzo
- Glazunov, Reverie
- Solo of comparable difficulty
Horn - MM
Pre-screening
Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 to be considered for admissions and invited for an audition.
Pre-screening Requirements
- W. A. Mozart: First movement of Concerto No. 2 or 4 OR R. Strauss: First movement of Concerto No. 1
- R. Strauss: Till Eulenspiegels Lustige Streiche, opening calls, horn 1
- G. Mahler: Symphony No. 5, scherzo, horn obbligato, 8 measures after rehearsal No. 10-11
Audition
Audition Requirements
- A complete major solo work from the standard repertoire
- Five orchestral excerpts from the standard repertoire which must include:
- Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5, mvt. 2, horn 1
- Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel, opening calls, horn 1
- Mahler: Symphony No. 5, scherzo, horn obbligato, 8 measures after rehearsal No. 10-11
Horn - DMA
Pre-screening
Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 to be considered for admissions and invited for an audition.
Pre-screening Requirements
- W. A. Mozart: First movement of Concerto No. 2 or 4 OR R. Strauss: First movement of Concerto No. 1
- R. Strauss: Till Eulenspiegels Lustige Streiche, opening calls, horn 1
- G. Mahler: Symphony No. 5, scherzo, horn obbligato, 8 measures after rehearsal No. 10-11
Audition
Audition Requirements
- Two complete major solo works from the standard repertoire of contrasting stylistic periods
- Ten orchestral excerpts from the standard repertoire which must include:
- Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5, mvt. 1, low tutti passage
- Wagner: Siegfried’s Rhine Journey, short call, horn 1
- Strauss: Ein Heldenleben, opening passage, horn 1
- Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5, mvt. 2, horn 1
- Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel, opening calls, horn 1
- Mahler: Symphony No. 5, scherzo, horn obbligato, 8 measures after rehearsal No. 10-11
Horn - AD
Pre-screening
Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 to be considered for admissions and invited for an audition.
Pre-screening Requirements
- W. A. Mozart: First movement of Concerto No. 2 or 4 OR R. Strauss: First movement of Concerto No. 1
- R. Strauss: Till Eulenspiegels Lustige Streiche, opening calls, horn 1
- G. Mahler: Symphony No. 5, scherzo, horn obbligato, 8 measures after rehearsal No. 10-11
Audition
Audition Requirements
- Two complete major solo works from the standard repertoire of contrasting stylistic periods
- Ten orchestral excerpts from the standard repertoire which must include:
- Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5, mvt. 1, low tutti passage
- Wagner: Siegfried’s Rhine Journey, short call, horn 1
- Strauss: Ein Heldenleben, opening passage, horn 1
- Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5, mvt. 2, horn 1
- Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel, opening calls, horn 1
- Mahler: Symphony No. 5, scherzo, horn obbligato, 8 measures after rehearsal No. 10-11
First and foremost, every CCM horn major has the opportunity to learn from a principal horn teacher, who has years of significant professional experience, on a one-on-one basis. Each student receives an individualized and well-structured program of fundamental exercises, etudes, solos and orchestral repertoire. Our horn professors are in residence, readily accessible to help meet their students' needs.
Besides weekly lessons, all horn students are involved in a studio class that meets each week for two hours. These hours are an invaluable supplement to private horn instruction. Studio classes offer individual and section performance opportunities, focus a great deal of attention on successful audition and performance preparation, hold mock auditions, host special high-caliber guest artist presentations, and have class discussions covering a broad spectrum of topics and readings that deepen every student's musical understanding and professional preparation.
Horn excerpt class is an academic and performance course that studies in-depth a wide spectrum of repertoire. The historical setting of each composition, orchestral context of each excerpt, musical goals of assigned passages along with technical approaches to achieving those goals, and interpretive variations are studied. A small body of important repertoire is memorized, and recorded auditions are prepared. Students perform in every class session. Most importantly, a method of study and audition preparation is cultivated.
In 1998, CCM purchased two Seraphinoff orchestra horns (replicas of Hilary), adding a whole other dimension to our horn education. Student performers use these horns in recital, and they are available to every horn student who studies music of the natural horn period. In addition to many benefits that come from studying hand horn technique, learning what Mozart or Beethoven had in their ears when they composed for the horn greatly enhances valve horn performances of that repertoire. Since acquiring these natural horns, CCM has hosted several recognized hand horn performers for recitals/master classes.
Our horn students also gain hands-on experience in lessons and concerts with the Wagner tuba. CCM's quartet of new Alexander tuben is a matched set to those owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Last, but certainly not least, CCM's unrivaled multi-million dollar facilities are located in the culturally rich city of Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Pops offer several concerts each week at specially discounted student ticket prices. The Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Ballet, Opera, and various musical theater companies all present performances. Several fine chamber ensembles have series of concerts in the city, and CCM hosts its own outstanding array of performances. Theater companies abound, Cincinnati boasts of our very fine art museum, and CCM thrives within the fertile intellectual environment of a major research university.
News and Events
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Get to know CCM’s newest faculty and staff members
September 14, 2026
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.
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CCM welcomes Jordan M. Davis as Assistant Dean of Admissions
September 8, 2026
UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Jordan M. Davis, MA, as the college's new Assistant Dean of Admissions. In this role, Davis will be responsible for the vision, strategy and execution of all undergraduate and graduate recruitment and admissions for CCM. Working in partnership with college and university leadership, Davis will work to ensure that CCM's enrollment goals continue to align with its artistic and academic priorities. His appointment begins on Oct. 1, 2026.
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CCM Philharmonia opens season with Russian masterworks on Sept. 15
Event: September 15, 2026 7:30 PM
UC College-Conservatory of Music's 2026-27 ticketed performance season begins with CCM Philharmonia's "Russian Giants" concert at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Featuring guest conductor Timothy Muffitt, the performance takes place in CCM's Corbett Auditorium.
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CCM shares 2026-27 calendar of ticketed + free performances and events
August 20, 2026
Experience world-class performances by the next generation of performing and media artists at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). With more than 130 different performances and events, there is something happening nearly every week of the school year!
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CCM announces initial schedule of performances for 2026-27
June 11, 2026
The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) has announced its initial schedule of major performances for 2026-27. These 15 events include beloved titles for the stage like La bohème, RENT and Cabaret, along with concerts showcasing the works of Gustav Mahler, Duke Ellington and John Williams … just to name a few highlights! This schedule of major performances runs Sept. 15, 2026, through April 23, 2027. Tickets for all 15 concerts and shows listed below are on sale now. See individual performance listings for additional information.
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CCM welcomes Rachel Roberts as Associate Dean of Strategy and Operations
May 11, 2026
UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Rachel Roberts, EdD, as CCM's inaugural Associate Dean of Strategy and Operations. In this newly-created role, Roberts will partner with Dean Jutras and other college leaders to advance strategic, operational and academic priorities. Roberts is nationally recognized for developing leaders and advancing how musicians and arts organizations learn, adapt and lead in an evolving arts landscape. Her appointment officially begins on July 6, 2026.
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CCM announces winners of 2026 Winstead Artistry in Wind Playing Competition
April 21, 2026
The UC College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is proud to announce the winners of the fifth annual competition for wind players in memory of Cincinnati Symphony principal bassoonist and long-time faculty member, William O. Winstead. The winners of CCM's 2026 Winstead Artistry in Wind Playing Competition are: - Winstead Prize ($2,000): Seongjin Kim, clarinet - Honorable Mention ($500 each): Valentina Arango-Sanchez, flute; and Michael Zelinksi, horn - Collaborative Pianist Prize ($1,000): Giorgos Kyriazidis, piano
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WATCH: CCM Philharmonia's Feb. 20 concert livestream
February 18, 2026
Audiences can enjoy CCM Philharmonia's next concert in person or watch at home via livesteam at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20. Featuring alumni guest artists Rebecca Barnes, viola; and Jonathan Lee, cello; tickets for the "Midlife Crisis" concert are on sale now through the CCM Box Office. The livesteam is free to watch on CCM's website and YouTube channel.