Percussion

Percussion students perform on cymbals and drum with the wind ensemble in Corbett Auditorium

Performance is the primary focus of the percussionist at CCM. Students participate in eight full-time ensembles as well as frequent ad hoc groups. In addition, Greater Cincinnati has a rich cultural tradition that provides a variety of freelance opportunities. 

Each student meets with a faculty member in weekly applied lessons, and interacts with other faculty members through course work, seminars, ensembles and frequent performance and master classes.

We gear applied lessons to meet your individual needs, building a strong musical and technical foundation to prepare you for the specialized fields of the percussive arts. CCM’s program is devoted to meeting the varied demands of today’s percussionists, from traditional orchestral playing to the most innovative contemporary techniques of chamber performance. Many of our graduates have moved on to world-class graduate schools, orchestras and international performance and teaching positions.

Unique to CCM’s program is the teacher-to-student ratio (about one to six), allowing for highly individualized attention, daily interaction and close monitoring of progress. Through our concertizing we explore all the latest developments in percussion performance and literature.

Percussion Faculty

Headshot of Russell Burge

Russell Burge

Percussion Program Coordinator; Professor of Percussion

513-556-9423

Headshot of Adam Groh

Adam Groh

Assistant Professor of Percussion

513-556-9553


Woodwinds, Brass and Percussion Department Chair

Headshot of Pavel Vinnitsky

Pavel Vinnitsky

Chair of Woodwinds, Brass and Percussion Department; Associate Professor of Clarinet

Performance Studies Division Head and Staff

Headshot of James Bunte

James Bunte

Division Head of Performance Studies; Professor of Saxophone

303-236-5900

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.

Percussion - 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
  • Snare drum: A concert-style solo or etude from Peters, Cirone, Firth, or Delecluse, or similar. (Optional - Auditionees may perform a rudimental snare drum solo in addition to their concert solo/etude.) 
  • Mallet instruments (marimba, xylophone, or vibraphone): two prepared solos (2- AND 4-mallets demonstrations, of any length) from the standard mallet literature, or transcriptions
  • Timpani: a prepared etude or solo (e.g., Goodman, Firth, Hochrainer, Delecluse methods, or similar) 

Audition

Audition Requirements
  • Snare drum: A concert-style solo or etude. (Optional - Auditionees may perform a rudimental snare drum solo in addition to their concert solo/etude.) 
    • Snare drum orchestral roll, softest to loudest to softest volume, approximately 30 seconds in length
  • Mallet instruments (marimba, xylophone, vibraphone): a prepared solo (2 or 4 mallets)
    • Scales and arpeggios in all 12 major keys on mallet percussion instruments
  • Timpani: a prepared solo or etude 
  • Sight reading on snare drum and mallet percussion instruments

Percussion - MM, 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 audition.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • A solo or etude from modern literature for snare drum
  • Baroque and contemporary marimba solos demonstrating 2- AND 4-mallet technique 
  • One timpani solo (or appropriate etude)
  • Video of a solo work for multiple percussion is encouraged for MM; required for AD/DMA
  • Optional - Additional videos of chamber music, non-western percussion, multiple percussion, drumset, or other areas of experience/interest encouraged for MM applicants, expected for AD/DMA applicants

Audition

Audition Requirements
  • A solo or etude from modern literature for snare drum
  • Baroque and contemporary marimba solos demonstrating 2- and 4-mallet technique
  • One timpani solo (or appropriate etude)
  • 2-3 Orchestral excerpts each on snare drum, keyboard, and timpani

The CCM Steelband is an ensemble made up of percussion majors under the direction of Professor Russell Burge. The band focuses on the traditional music of Trinidad but also incorporates pop, folk and reggae, and improvisation has become a key element of the band's repertoire. The Steelband gives one annual program each spring at CCM, as well as several outdoor concerts in the Cincinnati area.

Our percussion facilities include eight recently refurbished practice rooms. They house four sets of timpani (including Ringer and Walter Light drums), six marimbas (including a new 5-octave MARIMBA ONE and a 4 1/2–octave YAMAHA), four vibraphones, three xylophones, three sets of orchestra bells, many snare drums (including Clevelander, Hinger and other specialty drums), steel drums, and an array of other instruments. In addition, the group’s own studio contains an extensive collection of traditional and exotic instruments accumulated over twenty years of national and international touring. We encourage you to use this fine equipment as your recitals and concerts dictate.

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra performs weekly in season, and students may also enjoy performances by the Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. Percussion Group Cincinnati has maintained a close professional relationship with CSO’s percussion section over the years, and we urge our students to take advantage of that excellent educational resource.


News and Events

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CCM welcomes Maggie Perrino as Assistant Dean of Prep and...

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.

4

CCM welcomes Jessie Grant as Assistant Dean of Student Services

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.

5

Travel the world with the CCM Steel Drum Band in April 12 concert

April 9, 2025

The CCM Steel Drum Band and Afro-Carribbean Music Ensemble present a joint concert, World Music, on Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Corbett Auditorium. The program features selections from the Caribbean, South America, and more, as well as several student arrangements. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.

7

CCM Opera presents Britten's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Event: March 6, 2025 12:00 AM

Step into a world of enchantment as the UC College-Conservatory of Music's Opera Series presents "A Midsummer Night's Dream." This opera fuses William Shakespeare's beloved romantic comedy with Benjamin Britten's stunning musical score. This captivating production, directed by CCM Opera Professor Robin Guarino, offers a fresh perspective on the classic tale, exploring themes of love, transformation, and the power of the natural world.

8

CCM Wind Symphony presents 'Inspirations' concert on Feb. 2

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.

9

CCM Philharmonia performs Stravinsky's 'The Rite of Spring' in...

Event: January 31, 2025 7:30 PM

The CCM Philharmonia wishes to summon spring early in its upcoming concert on Friday, Jan. 31. Titled "Wishful Thinking" the performance features spring-inspired works by Robert Schumann and Igor Stravinsky. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.

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