Wind Studies

The CCM Wind Ensembles rehearses in Corbett Auditorium with Maestro Kevin Holzman

CCM's Department of Wind Studies offers a number of ensembles for credit, including the CCM Wind Symphony, CCM Wind Ensemble, CCM Chamber Winds and CCM Brass Choir. The department also offers the CCM Chamber Orchestra in collaboration with the Department of Orchestral Studies.

Each ensemble meets two to three times per week and each performs six full programs anually. Each graduate conducting student conducts all five of these ensembles each year, supervised by our full-time faculty.

Degree Programs

CCM offers both the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting. The following courses are core to both programs:

  • Survey of Wind Literature: Year-long course covering the wind repertoire from the Medieval period through today. Assessment is based on score identification, listening identification, and essay topics.
  • Seminar in Wind Conducting: Weekly meeting of graduate students to address repertoire, rehearsal techniques and other skills required for conductors. Conducting majors participate in this course each semester in residence, one two-hour session per week.
  • Applied Study in Wind Conducting: Weekly private conducting lessons with Professor Price to view videotapes of rehearsals, discuss score study, and improve technique.
Headshot of Kevin Michael Holzman

Kevin Michael Holzman

Division Head of Ensembles and Conducting; Director and Associate Professor of Wind Studies

513-556-9424

a vibrant performance

Janelle's Notes

The CCM Wind Symphony is comprised of highly advanced performers of wind and percussion instruments. The ensemble is internationally recognized as one of the finest groups of its kind. Each semester the players are auditioned and assigned parts on a rotating basis. Following a philosophy of one player per part and adopting flexible instrumentation according to the composer’s intentions, the ensemble performs chamber music, selected transcriptions, concerti and original full ensemble repertoire spanning five centuries. The CCM Wind Symphony performs six concerts on campus per season as well as appearing regularly in local school concerts and as special guest artists for conferences, festivals and special events.

Acknowledged as "wonderful and exciting" with performances described as "powerful, moving and thrilling," the CCM Wind Ensemble draws its membership from the finest undergraduate and graduate musicians. Acclaimed for the quality of its performances as well as the diversity and originality of its programming, the CCM Wind Ensemble is dedicated to bringing the finest traditional and contemporary literature to their audiences. This organization has appeared numerous times before the Ohio Music Educators Association, the Kentucky Music Educators Association, the American Society of University Composers, and has been heard nationally through broadcasts on National Public Radio.

The CCM Chamber Winds is comprised of two double wind quintets and focuses on standard wind chamber music repertoire, including works by such composers as Mozart, Krommer, Beethoven, and Strauss, as well as more contemporary repertoire. The CCM Chamber Winds perform as part of the CCM noon-hour Atrium series.

The CCM Chamber Players have combined with the college's "Café MoMus" ensemble to form an exciting new ensemble: CCM Chamber Orchestra. Under the direction of Kevin Michael Holzman and Aik Khai Pung, this ensemble performs chamber works by iconic composers.

All graduate students in wind conducting that are in full-time residence receive a University Graduate Scholarship for full tuition. Wind Conducting majors also receive a 90% assistantship for 18 hours of work per week. Duties for the assistantship are divided among the studio and include:

  • Teaching assistant for undergraduate instrumental conducting classes
  • Instructor of first-year Introduction to Conducting class
  • Teaching assistant for Survey of Wind Literature
  • Public relations
  • Scheduling
  • Program information
  • Rehearsal and performance set-up and strike
  • Production assistant for recording sessions

Wind Conducting majors are assigned repertoire to rehearse and perform with five ensembles on a rotating basis, normally working with all ensembles each year.

Those interested in applying must do so through the CCM's Admissions Office. Applicants must submit a DVD of rehearsal and performance along with the required admission forms. More specific details are given in the CCM Admissions' Application Handbook. Those invited to audition will take a written exam consisting of score identification, music terms, and repertoire. Applicants will also have a live audition with the Wind Orchestra and Chamber Winds of twenty minutes in length. Each applicant will conduct one piece straight through; the remainder of the audition will consist of rehearsing a piece chosen by Dr. Price so interaction with the ensemble in a rehearsal atmosphere can be observed. The repertoire will be announced at a later date.

News and Events

1

CCM Brass Choir presents Betty Glover tribute concert on Nov. 12

November 6, 2023

CCM celebrates the legacy of trailblazing trombonist Betty Glover in a tribute concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12, at St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, Kentucky. Featuring the CCM Brass Choir, the performance features student and faculty artists, guest artists from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, alumni and more.

2

Local media spotlights CCM's fall performances

September 8, 2023

UC's College-Conservatory of Music kicks off its fall performance season in September with a variety of concerts starring the next generation of performing and media artists. Local media featured the college's upcoming events in preview coverage shared by CityBeat, Movers and Makers, Behind the Curtain Cincinnati and All About the Arts.

3

CCM Wind Symphony opens season with Cincinnati Symphony...

Event: September 10, 2023 4:00 PM

Music fills the rehearsal spaces and halls at UC's College-Conservatory of Music as students and faculty prepare for the start of the performance season. The CCM Wind Symphony opens its fall performance series on Sunday, Sept. 10, in a special concert featuring Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra guest artist Haley Bangs, flute.

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