CCM Jazz and Musical Theatre Join Forces for Duke Ellington’s ‘Nutcracker Suite’

CCM’s Jazz Ensemble performed with Musical Theatre dancers at CCM’s 2011 Moveable Feast benefit event. Photography by Dottie Stover.

CCM presents a special seasonal treat at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2, as the departments of Jazz Studies and Musical Theatre unite to present Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite for one night only in UC’s Corbett Auditorium.

One of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century, Duke Ellington recorded The Nutcracker Suite for the Columbia record label in 1960. The album featured jazz interpretations of well-known melodies by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, arranged by Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.

Under the musical direction of Scott Belck and Dominic Marino, dancers from CCM’s Musical Theatre program will join the Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab Band to transform The Nutcracker Suite’s romantic orchestrations into jumping jazz melodies, including “Toot Toot Tootie Toot (Dance of the Reed-Pipes),” “Peanut Brittle Brigade” and “Sugar Rum Cherry (Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy).” Featuring choreography by Diane Lala, a classical ballet becomes cool-cat jazz, infused with Vegas glitz, Hollywood glamour and a little New York razzmatazz.

CCM Jazz Presents the Music of Legendary American Composer Hoagy Carmichael

CCM’s Jazz Ensemble.

CCM’s Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab Band celebrate a great American tradition with “Heart and Soul – The Music of Hoagy Carmichael” at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11, in UC’s Corbett Auditorium. Scott Belck and Dominic Marino conduct.

In the typical folksy style for which Carmichael was so widely loved, “Heart and Soul” features timeless classics like “The Nearness of You,” “Skylark” and “Stardust,” brought to life in the contemporary arrangements of guest composer Brent Wallarab and the acclaimed stylings of guest vocalist Mary Ellen Tanner. The concert will also feature a special tribute to our veterans and Glenn Miller’s Army Air Corps Band.

CCM Announces Updated Event Information for November and December 2012

Today, we are delighted to provide you with CCM’s updated schedule of major events for November and December 2012. All updated listings are highlighted in red.

All events listed below take place in CCM Village on the campus of the University of Cincinnati unless otherwise indicated. Admission is free to many CCM performances, although some events do require purchased tickets or reservations. Please see individual event information for details and ordering information.

All event dates and programs are subject to change. Visit ccm.uc.edu or contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 for the most current event information.

CCM Announces Fall 2012 Calendar of Major Events

CCM is delighted to announce its fall schedule of performances. The largest single source of performing arts events in the state of Ohio, CCM presents more than 100 public performances this fall, ranging from faculty and guest artist concerts to fully supported opera, drama and musical theatre productions.

This fall’s schedule includes a Beethoven Festival (Sept. 14 – Oct. 12), a Kurt Weill Festival (Oct. 19 – March 10) and a Cage Centennial Celebration (Nov. 5 – Nov. 29). CCM also collaborates with Cincinnati Opera on public workshop performances of two new American operas (Oct. 27 – 28 and Dec. 4 – 5) and presents a pair of concerts in conjunction with the Constella Festival of Music and Fine Arts (Oct. 10 and Oct. 28).

Download a digital copy of CCM’s Fall 2012 Calendar of Major Events today. Physical copies are also available at the CCM Box Office in the Corbett Center for the Performing Arts.

CCM Celebrates 50 Years As a UC College With 50 Major Performing Arts Events

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is delighted to announce its 2012-13 schedule of major events. From September through May, CCM will present a series of 50 performances spanning the spectrum of the performing and media arts.

This series begins with the internationally-acclaimed Ariel Quartet’s inaugural concert as CCM string-quartet-in-residence on Tuesday, Sept. 11 and concludes with a Sunday, May 5 performance by the Cincinnati Children’s Choir, gold medal-winners at the 2012 World Choir Games.

The 2012-13 performance schedule also features festivals showcasing the works of German composers Ludwig van Beethoven and Kurt Weill, jazz tributes to the music of Stevie Wonder and Frank Zappa, a dynamic revival of the rock musical Chess, a performance of J.S. Bach’s Mass in B Minor presented in conjunction with the Constella Festival and much more.

These creative collaborations are part of a year-long celebration, ushering in CCM’s second half-century as a college of the University of Cincinnati (UC). In August of 1962, the then century-old Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music joined UC as its 14th college. This merger created the institution now known as CCM, an institution built on the synergy of education, innovation and performance. Learn more about CCM’s history by visiting ccm.uc.edu/about/history.

CCM’s 2012-13 Season Brochure is Now Available Online

Subscription and flex ticket packages are now on sale for the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music’s 2012-13 performance season. This year’s season includes 50 major events, ranging from fully staged operas and musicals to intimate chamber music concerts and holiday-themed choral extravaganzas.

Download a digital copy of this year’s season brochure today. Physical copies are also available at the CCM Box Office.

CCM Jazz Presents Duke Ellington’s First Sacred Concert On April 29

CCM's jazz ensembles and Chamber Choir welcome special guest Bobby Floyd on Sunday, April 29.

CCM’s Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band and Chamber Choir welcome virtuoso B-3 organist Bobby Floyd for a rare performance of Duke Ellington’s first Sacred Concert at 7 p.m. this Sunday, April 29 in Patricia Corbett Theater.

Conducted by Scott Belck, Earl Rivers and Dominic Marino, this unforgettable night of inspirational music is sponsored in part by CCM’s Tangeman Sacred Music Center.

CCM Announces Spring 2012 Calendar of Major Events

CCM is delighted to announce its spring schedule of major performances. Beginning Tuesday, March 27, CCM will present more than 50 events, ranging from faculty and guest artist concerts to fully supported theatre productions.

Download a copy of our Spring 2012 Calendar of Events today.

Have A Ball With Count Basie, CCM Jazz and Guest Artist Dennis Mackrel

CCM welcomes guest artist Dennis Mackrel on Nov. 13.

On Sunday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m., the CCM Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab Band welcome guest artist Dennis Mackrel, drummer and band leader of the world famous Count Basie Orchestra for “Atomic Basie!”

This fun-filled evening features the hits of the Count Basie library and other swing era favorites that are sure to get the joint jumping, including “April in Paris,” “Corner Pocket,” Dennis Mackrel originals and more. CCM’s Scott Belck and Dominic Marino conduct.

CCM Announces Full Schedule of 2011-12 Mainstage Events

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music’s schedule of major performances for 2011-12 is now available! This year’s season includes over 40 major events, ranging from fully staged operas and musicals to Afro-Cuban jazz concerts and holiday-themed choral extravaganzas.

You can download a digital copy of this year’s brochure here or view the brochure online via Issuu.com. Physical copies are also available at the CCM Box Office.