CCM Hosts Gathering of Midwestern “El Sistema” Inspired Programs This Weekend

This Saturday, May 9, CCM will welcome “El Sistema” inspired programs from throughout the region for the Fourth Annual Midwestern Seminario.

Hosted by CCM’s Preparatory Department and Office of Community Engagement, the event will draw nearly 200 young performing artists who are involved in programs inspired by “El Sistema,” Venezuela’s National Network of Youth and Children Orchestras. Over the past 35 years, El Sistema has evolved into a world-renowned youth development program, which uses music as a vehicle for social change. El Sistema’s success in helping children build better futures has led to the creation of similar programs in over 30 countries around the world.

Participating programs include North Limestone Music Works (Lexington, KY), Shift: Englewood Youth Orchestra (Chicago), Q the Music (Dayton, Ohio), MYCincinnati (Cincinnati) and the Avondale Youth Orchestra (Cincinnati).

The Seminario‘s guest speakers will include CCM Dean Peter Landgren and UC President Santa J. Ono.

The program on Saturday, May 9, will culminate with a participant’s concert at 4 p.m. in CCM’s Corbett Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the general public!

The concert will be conducted by CCM alumni Eddy Kwon (BM Jazz Studies, 2011) and Isaac Selya (DMA Orchestral Conducting, 2014), along with Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras Artistic Director Daniel Chetel.

“We believe in the power of the arts to bring people together to create a strong, vibrant community,”  explains CCM Director of Community Engagement Anne Cushing-Reid. “This gathering reflects our ongoing commitment to community engagement and collaboration. We are also proud to support the efforts of the CCM students and alumni who are working locally with MYCincinnati, through a grant provided by ArtsWave.”

You can learn more about the other community engagement initiatives fueled by ArtsWave’s grant support here.

CCM’s Lonely Instruments for Needs Kids Program Announces 2015 Instrument Collection Dates: March 14 and 15

CCM holds its annual LINKS (Lonely Instruments for Needy Kids) Collection Days on Saturday, March 14, and Sunday, March 15, at Joseph-Beth Booksellers (2692 Madison Rd., Rookwood Pavilion, Cincinnati). The hours for the collection drive are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday and noon – 5 p.m. Sunday.

LINKS, a project of the Friends of CCM with support from Buddy Roger’s Music, Joseph-Beth Booksellers and WGUC 90.9 FM, began in 1993 as the brainchild of CCM alumnus Bill Harvey (BM Music Education, 1971), Vice President of Buddy Roger’s Music.

Harvey, well-respected by music teachers in the Greater Cincinnati area, wanted to fill the need of getting instruments into the hands of students whose parents were not able to buy, rent or borrow an instrument. The solution was somewhat simple — a “recycling program” for musical instruments.

Since 1993, LINKS has placed more than 2,000 instruments into the hands of children unable to purchase or rent instruments of their own. LINKS accepts donations of new and used instruments from the Greater Cincinnati community, then places them with students in local elementary, middle and high school bands and orchestras, as well as with students in the CCM Preparatory Department. Students are qualified by the recommendation of their music teacher, and a LINKS scholarship application is submitted in the student’s name.

Even if the instrument is not in perfect condition, donations are gladly accepted. Buddy Roger’s Music generously contributes the time to carefully restore, tune and clean each instrument. All of the donations are tax deductible, and Joseph-Beth Booksellers will donate 20% of store purchases back to LINKS during the collection days (learn more here). Entertainment during the collection will be provided by local music students of all ages.

If you do not have an instrument, you can still assist young musicians who need a helping hand by making a contribution to the LINKS fund at https://ccm.weshareonline.org/ws/opportunities/LINKS.

In addition to the March 14 and 15 collection days, instruments are accepted year-round at any Buddy Roger’s Music Store. Call 513-729-1950 for store locations.

For more information on LINKS or to make a monetary donation, call the CCM External Relations Office at 513-556-2100.

CCM’s Moveable Feast – Preview The Artistic Menu!

Planning on joining us this Friday for “A Moveable Feast?” Tickets to this year’s event are moving fast, so don’t delay – get yours before they’re gone and experience an unforgettable evening of artistic and culinary delights!

Here’s your first look at this year’s artistic menu. Plan your own schedule of 20-minute samplings of student entertainment, along with Backstage tours, and much more before the big event!

First timer? Follow one of our new Artistic Tracks! Newcomers and seasoned veterans alike can enjoy these pre-planned pathways through CCM Village. Learn more about this year’s Artistic Tracks by visiting ccm.uc.edu/tracks4feast.

The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23. Tickets are available here.

THE VILLAGE NEWS – Fall 2014

NOTATIONS AND OVATIONS

STUDENT PRODUCED ‘GOLD RUSH EXPEDITION RACE’ FILM SERIES TO AIR ON UNIVERSAL SPORTS NETWORK
This action-packed documentary film series will be coming to television sets nationwide this fall! Read more…

CCM WELCOMES ITS FIRST DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Anne Cushing-Reid will help CCM expand its community engagement efforts through her new role with the Preparatory Department. Read more…

ALUMNI APPLAUSE

PERFORMANCE STUDIES ALUMNA APPOINTED TO PROFESSOR OF OBOE
Merideth Hite (BM, ’06) has joined the faculty of the University of Southern Mississippi. Read more…

CCM ALUMNUS MAKES HIS BROADWAY DEBUT IN THE HIT REVIVAL OF PIPPIN
After touring the nation with The Book of Mormon, Michael Schwitter (BFA, ’12) takes on the role of Pippin’s brother Lewis at the Music Box Theatre. Read more…

CCM ALUMNI WIN TOP PRIZES IN PLÁCIDO DOMINGO’S WORLD OPERA COMPETITION
Amanda Woodbury (MM, ’12), John Holiday (MM, ’12) and Yi Li (AD, ’13) were among this year’s finalists in the Operalia competition. Read more…

FACULTY FANFARE

CCM PROFESSOR OF COMPOSITION ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
Joel Hoffman joined the University of Cincinnati faculty in 1978. This October, CCM will celebrate his service with a special concert featuring the Ariel Quartet. Read more…

STUDENT SALUTES

FRESHMAN DRAMA MAJOR RECEIVES CINCINNATUS PRESIDENTIAL AWARD
Isaac Hickox-Young is one of only 11 incoming UC students to receive this prestigious award, which pays full tuition, boarding fees and more for four years. Read more…

CCM DMA CANDIDATE RECEIVES MAY FESTIVAL FELLOWSHIP
First-year graduate student Daniel Blosser has been chosen as the 2014-15 May Festival Choral Conducting Fellow. Read more…

TUNE IN

THE CCM WIND ORCHESTRA TAKES THE STAGE AT A NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Watch the complete performance here.

DID YOU KNOW?

CCM’S STUDIO SERIES REMAINS ONE OF THE HOTTEST TICKETS IN CINCINNATI!
Box Office Manager Jeanne Rose provides the inside scoop on how to score tickets for this year’s productions! Read more…

SAVE THE DATE

CCM’S MAINTAGE SERIES PRESENTS MACBETH
Shakespeare’s dark and twisted tragedy makes its CCM debut Oct. 1 – 5, 2014. Read more…

THE MIND AND MUSIC OF CHOPIN
The Friends of CCM and the Cincinnati Psychoanalytic Institute welcome special guest artist Richard Kogan on Oct. 10. Read more…

CCM IN THE NEWS

New Artist of the Month: Conductor and CCM Alumnus Isaac Selya (Musical America Worldwide). Read more…
CCM Prep Teaches More Than How to Perform (Cincy Magazine). Read more…

CCM Prep’s 2014-15 Program Offerings Guide Is Now Available Online

Immerse yourself in the performing arts through CCM’s Preparatory Department!

CCM Prep offers a wide variety of programs in Music, Dance and the Theatre Arts for both pre-professional students and arts enthusiasts of all ages.

CCM Prep offers a relaxed and welcoming environment where students of all ages may explore their artistic interests. Download a digital copy of this year’s Program Offerings brochure to find out about CCM Prep’s program offerings, tuition rates and more.

Download a copy of CCM Prep’s 2014-15 Program Offerings today. Copies are also available at the CCM Prep Office.

You can request a free physical copy of the Program Guide by calling 513-556-2595 or emailing ccmprep@uc.edu.

CCM Prep Announces Continuation of its New Horizons Orchestra Program

We are thrilled to announce the continuation of the CCM Preparatory Department‘s (CCM Prep) popular New Horizon 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, so it is truly “never too late!”

Come to CCM Prep’s “Play Days” this month to learn more about the New Horizons Orchestra and for the opportunity 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 of these meetings. Those who would like to know more, but are unable to attend one of the informational meetings, may contact the CCM Prep Office at 513-556-2595.

Information Sessions – “Play Days”

• 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 9 at UC Blue Ash, Muntz Hall Commons
• 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 16 at UC Blue Ash, Muntz Hall Commons

Cincinnati Children’s Choir Featured on CET Arts Channel

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

The award-winning Cincinnati Children’s Choir is coming to a television set near you this weekend! CET Cincinnati Public Television‘s arts and culture series SHOWCASE with Barbara Kellar will spotlight the CCM ensemble-in-residence at 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 18.

In addition to a conversation with Choir Founder and Managing Artistic Director Robyn Reeves Lana and Executive Director Mary Kay Koehler, the program will also feature nearly 80 members of the Cincinnati Children’s Choir performing two songs.

The Cincinnati Children’s Choir is an educationally based choral ensemble program that provides high quality music education to children ages 6-18 in the Greater Cincinnati community. This program offers its participants the opportunity to demonstrate their musical understanding, artistry, and achievement by performing and collaborating with premier ensembles and children’s choirs throughout the world.

This episode of SHOWCASE with Barbara Kellar airs at 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 18, on CET Arts, which is available over-the-air on channel 48.3, on Time Warner Cable channel 987, on Cincinnati Bell Fiberoptics channel 248 and on Insight Cable channel 192. Learn more about CET Arts by visiting www.cetconnect.org/cet-arts.

CCM Prep Presents ‘Xanadu, Jr.’ and ‘Peter and the Wolf’ This Spring

The CCM Youth Ballet Company performed ‘Peter and the Wolf’ at Music Hall with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra earlier this season.

CCM’s Preparatory Department proudly presents its annual spring productions with the CCM Prep Ballet and Junior Musical Theatre. Tickets for both productions are on sale now.

On Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m. in UC’s Patricia Corbett Theater, the CCM Youth Ballet Company, Jr. Company and Mini company perform traditional and contemporary works including Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf.

The Junior Musical Theatre will perform Xanadu, Jr. the following weekend at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 2, and at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, in the Cohen Family Studio Theater.

The CCM Youth Ballet Company consists of the Mini, Junior and Senior Youth companies with 50 dancers total, ranging from age 8 through adult. This year they will perform Sergei Prkofief’s beloved Peter and the Wolf. Soloists are Hannah Musser and Andrea Springman as the bird, Helga Paris-Morales and Jackie Sidow as the duck, Vera Bostwick and Juju Stojanovic as the cat, Lucas Wilmes and Blake Funk as Peter, Samuel St. John as the wolf and guest dancer John Wilmes as grandfather. CCM Preparatory faculty Tricia Sundbeck and Thomas Bell choreographed this production. The CCM Youth Ballet Company recently performed Peter and the Wolf at Music Hall with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra as part of the Lollipops music series.

The Junior Musical Theatre Intensive program provides a challenging and disciplined educational experience for students ages 9-14 who have a special interest in musical theatre. Last fall, 30 students were selected and then traveled to Atlanta the following January for the Junior Theater Festival, which included over 3,000 middle school students from all over the country. The CCM Junior Musical Theatre students presented a scene from Xanadu, Jr. and the group was given an “Excellence in Music” award. Margot Grom, Tanner Gleeson, Henry Howland, Nora DeGreen and Jonah Sorcher are the featured students in this disco-inspired musical, directed by Dee Anne Bryll, with musical direction by Becky Childs.

CCM Brings NPR’s Hit Show ‘From the Top with Host Christopher O’Riley’ to UC on April 2

CCM is pleased to announce that From the Top with Host Christopher O’Riley, the preeminent showcase for young musicians, will come to UC’s Corbett Auditorium to record a radio broadcast on Wednesday, April 2, 2014.

Heard weekly in the Greater Cincinnati area on WGUC 90.9 FM, the popular NPR radio program features the amazing performances and captivating personal stories of extraordinary young classical musicians from across the country. The From the Top episode recorded on April 2 will be presented by CCM to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Starling Chamber Orchestra, the college’s premier preparatory string ensemble.

The show will feature the Starling Chamber Orchestra, with conductor and CCM Violin Chair Kurt Sassmannshaus, and will include solo performances by several current and past Starling Chamber Orchestra participants. Twelve-year-old violinist Skye Park from Lexington, Kentucky, is a participant in the Starling Chamber Orchestra and previously appeared on From the Top in 2012 from a special show taped at CCM’s Great Wall Academy in Beijing, China.

Violinist and 2012 Naumburg Competition-winner Tessa Lark, 24, and violinist Jonathan Miron, 21, both Starling Orchestra alumni, will perform “Romance” by Joseph Hellmesberger, along with From the Top alumnus Charles Yang.

Also featured on the show will be 17-year-old pianist Yilun Xu from New York City and 17-year-old horn player Avery Roth-Hawthorne from Oakland, California.

For tickets and information, contact the CCM Box Office at boxoff@uc.edu or 513-556-4183, or visit ccm.uc.edu/fromthetop.

From the Top may be heard locally on WGUC 90.9 on Saturdays at 9 a.m.; this episode will air nationally the week of May 5.

CCM’s Preparatory Department Celebrates 35 Years of Cincinnati Junior Strings

Cincinnati Junior Strings founding maestro Gerald “Gerry” Doan.

CCM’s Preparatory Department (CCM Prep) celebrates the 35th anniversary of the Cincinnati Junior Strings ensemble with a winter concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15, at the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College Muntz Theater. This special event will honor recently retired Cincinnati Junior Strings founder Gerald Doan and new director Rachel Bierkan.

The 43 talented string students performing in this orchestra range in age from 9 – 14 years old. Under the direction of Bierkan, Jennifer Cox and Betty Anne Gottlieb, they will perform a variety of classical works, many arranged by Doan specifically for the Cincinnati Junior Strings!

Alumni of of the Cincinnati Junior Strings are encouraged to attend the Dec. 15 concert and perform with the orchestra. A reception will follow the performance, and both the concert and reception are free and open to the public.

Donations will be accepted for the Doan Scholarship Fund, which recognizes an outstanding member of Cincinnati Junior Strings. For further information about the event, please contact Amy Dennison, Assistant Dean and Director of CCM Prep at 513-556-946.

You can learn more about the Dec. 15 concert courtesy of Janelle Gelfand and the Cincinnati Enquirer here.