CCM’s Preparatory Department Launches ‘New Horizons Orchestra’ Program for Adults

The Preparatory Department of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM Prep) is delighted to announce the launch of the New Horizons Orchestra, an innovative program for beginning musicians over the age of 50 who want to learn to play a musical instrument. No previous musical experience is required, and it truly is “never too late” to learn!

CCM Prep will host a series of informational “play days” in November, giving prospective new students the chance to learn more about the New Horizons Orchestra and to try out various string instruments under the guidance of CCM educators and other local string professionals. Instrument purchase and rental information will also be available at each meeting. Those who would like to know more, but are unable to attend one of the informational meetings, may contact CCM Prep at 513-556-2595.

Information “Play Day” Sessions

• 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at UC Blue Ash (OLLI Brown Bag Lunch Class)
• 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Sycamore Senior Center
• 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Mayerson JCC
• 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, at St. James Episcopal Church in Westwood

Starting Jan. 15, 2014, CCM Prep will hold its first New Horizons Orchestra lessons and rehearsal. Lessons and rehearsals will be held on Wednesday mornings from 9-11 a.m. on the fourth floor of the Tangeman University Center (TUC), which is located next to CCM with easy access from the CCM garage. The cost of the program will be $125, not including instrument rental. BettyAnne Gottlieb, Assistant Professor of Music Education (Strings) at CCM, will serve as the New Horizons Orchestra’s conductor assisted by area string teachers and CCM music students. Complete information including cost and registration information is available at ccm.uc.edu/prep.

CCM Student Thanapol Setabrahmana Achieves Second Place in National ‘American Prize’ Competition

CCM graduate student Thanapol Setabrahmana.

We are delighted to report that DMA candidate Thanapol Setabrahmana has achieved second place nationally in the band/wind ensemble division of The American Prize‘s 2013 Conducting Competition!

Setabrahmana was selected from applications reviewed this summer from all across the United States. One competition judge commented, “this is a first class musician. Good control over his scores and very solid technique.” Setabrahmana can next been seen at CCM conducting Morton Gould’s “West Point Symphony” as part of the CCM Wind Orchestra’s Sept. 27 concert.

The American Prize is a series of new non-profit competitions unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, ensembles and composers in the United States based on submitted recordings. The American Prize was founded in 2009 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts.

For a list of additional conducting and ensembles winners for 2013, please visit theamericanprize.blogspot.com.

CCM’s Preparatory Department Announces 2013-14 Programs

The Preparatory Department of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM Prep) is delighted to announce the details of its 2013-14 programs. CCM Prep provides students of all ages with individual lessons and classes in music, dance and theatre arts, while also providing local communities with performances, workshops and educational opportunities.

Registration is now open for all programs. Classes and lessons begin on Saturday, Sept. 7.

You can view CCM Prep’s 2013-14 Program Guide online here.

CCM Prep Offers ‘Drop In’ Classes for Adults This Summer

Experience a casual evening of the arts on Thursday nights this summer, as the Preparatory Department of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM Prep) presents “drop in” classes for adults! No experience is necessary, just a willingness to have fun and explore the performing arts.

CCM Prep’s summer “drop in” classes run 7 – 8:30 p.m. every Thursday from June 13 through August 1 (with the exception of Thursday, July 4), 2013. Admission to each class is $10 at the door. $50 punch cards are also available, offering six classes for the price of five!

Refer to the schedule below for more details on each class. Call CCM Prep at 513-556-2595 to reserve a space or just drop in! Preregistration required for the class on July 25.

CCM Prep’s Spring Event Series Showcases Young Artists

CCM’s Preparatory Department will present a number of end-of-season performances between April 24 and May 19. Tickets for these events are available now (and admission to several of these events is FREE).

Date, time, venue and admission information is below.

CCM Prep Presents Disney’s ‘Little Mermaid, Jr.’ April 26-27

The Preparatory Department of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM Prep) proudly presents Disney’s Little Mermaid Jr. at 8 p.m. on both Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27, in UC’s Patricia Corbett Theater. Karie-Lee Sutherland directs, with musical direction by Rebecca Childs and choreography by Elaine Eckstein.

Cincinnati Children’s Choir Celebrates 20th Anniversary with March 9 Concert

Cincinnati Children’s Choir, Ensemble-In-Residence at CCM Prep.

CCM is proud to present the Cincinnati Children’s Choir‘s 20th anniversary concert at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, in Corbett Auditorium.

This special event performance will celebrate 20 years of choral artistry and education by the Cincinnati Children’s Choir (CCC). More than 300 young voices will take part, joined by special guest Cincinnati Collaborative Ringing Project. The concert will feature works commissioned to celebrate the CCC’s anniversary in addition to classical, folk and world music repertoire.

Two CCM Prep Violinists to Perform with Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Left to right: Christina Nam, Robert Treviño and Skye Park.

On Tuesday, Feb. 19 and Wednesday, March 20, two students from the CCM Preparatory Department (CCM Prep) will perform the first movement of Bach’s concerto for two violins on the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s A Family of Strings program!

The students, Skye Park of Lexington, KY and Christina Nam of West Chester, OH, are from CCM’s Starling Preparatory String Project and are studying with CCM faculty member Kurt Sassmannshaus.

The concert is part of the CSO’s Young People’s Concerts series, and will feature CSO musicians under Associate Conductor Robert Treviño. Park and Nam performed the same work last summer at the Great Wall International Music Festival in Beijing and the performance was broadcast in November on NPR‘s From the Top.

CCM Prep Announces 2013 Summer Programs

The CCM Preparatory Department (CCM Prep) is proud to announce its 2013 summer programs. Opportunities are available for students of all ages to discover and expand their artistic abilities!

This year, CCM will host its first Summer Arts Immersion program for high school students. This program is ideal for both local and out-of-town students who want to experience the excellent faculty and outstanding facilities at CCM. Students may wish to experience dorm life by staying in the nearby residence halls, fully chaperoned by CCM Prep staff. One- and two-week options are available in Musical Theatre, Acting, Dance, Voice, Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Saxophone, Chamber Music and String Orchestra. The Summer Arts Immersion program runs from June 10-22, 2013. Complete information including costs, registration and audition information is available here.

Many opportunities abound in CCM Prep’s Jump In program for younger students, as well as adult learners. These one- and two-week opportunities offer beginning and more advanced students the chance to dance, sing, act and play music. Two Jump In programs are inclusive and welcome special learners: “World Drumming” and “You Can Uke,” directed by CCM Prep faculty member and music therapist Mimi Sinclair. Adults can also take advantage of this program’s drop-in classes scheduled for Thursday nights. Learn more here.

Our Sincere Thanks For Making This Year’s Feast So Successful!

To the sponsors, partners, Friends of CCM, volunteers, faculty members, student artists, staff, event attendees and everyone else responsible for making this year’s Moveable Feast such an overwhelming success: THANK YOU!

It was a night to remember – thank you for sharing it with us!