CCM Junior Strings

Students in grades 5-8 who play violin, viola, cello, or bass are eligible to audition. Prior experience on their instrument and an audition are required. Please see audition details to assess student readiness for this ensemble.

CCM Prep music ensembles are skill-enhancing and enriching experiences that supplement students’ experience in their own school orchestras and help them reach future goals. CJS rehearses once a week. The ensemble performs two full-band concerts at CCM each year.

• Age group: 10-13
• Pre-requisite: experienced strings playing (use audition requirements as a guide for student readiness)
• Auditions: Required

Please note that registration is for a full academic year commitment

Audition Dates: August 23-24, 2025

Audition Location: Loveland Intermediate School (757 S Lebanon Rd, Loveland, OH 45140)

Sign up for auditions. 

CJS Audition Preparation:

1. Scales: 2 octave Major Scales; up to 3 flats/sharps
2. Solo: Prepare a solo that demonstrates your abilities. Students in CJS must be able to shift to multiple positions, read rhythms and key signatures, play with a variety of bowings in multiple styles, demonstrate an advanced tone and do vibrato
3. Sightreading: students will be given a short sightreading selection that will include rhythms, key signatures, bowings and fingerings representative of our repertoire. To prepare for this, practice sightreading on your own.

The CCM Prep Music Ensembles are committed to maintaining the highest standards of musical excellence. The Ensembles function to

• Provide members with exclusive educational experiences that prepare them for college and career and contribute to the knowledge, technique and skills necessary for advanced artistic performance
• Provide performance opportunities at CCM’s state-of-the-art facilities that allow for creativity and self-expression and give audiences a means to experience innovative and exciting performances of high-quality, diverse repertoire
• Provide members with a positive, challenging and supportive learning environment with extensive opportunities to demonstrate musical leadership, teamwork and professionalism,
• Provide members with a source of lifelong personal growth via opportunities to assess their skills and strengths, reflect on their achievements and progress, and prioritize their areas for improvement