The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is a performing and media arts college of the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio. Initially established as the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in 1867, CCM is one of the oldest continually operating conservatories in the US.
The college is an accredited institution of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), and a member of the University/ Resident Theatre Association (U/RTA). In addition, the University of Cincinnati and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
History
Early years
The Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music was formed in August 1955 from the merger of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, formed in 1867 as part of a girls' finishing school, and the College of Music of Cincinnati, which opened in 1878. CCM was incorporated into the University of Cincinnati on August 1, 1962. The college is sometimes incorrectly referred to as the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.
Some of Cincinnati's professional performing arts organizations can trace their origins back to CCM. CCM's first opera department was established in 1917 under the leadership of Ralph Lyford, an American composer and conductor. In 1920 Lyford founded the Summer Zoo Opera at the Cincinnati Zoological Gardens, a summer performance series that eventually evolved into what is now known as Cincinnati Opera. Cincinnati Ballet's debut performances took place at Wilson Auditorium on the University of Cincinnati campus in 1964 and 1965. In 1966, the directorship of the ballet company passed on to David McLain, who at the time also headed CCM's Dance Division. Cincinnati Ballet's early connection to CCM gave the new company studio space for classes and rehearsals, access to talented students, and performance space in Wilson Auditorium.
Present day
CCM has an enrollment of about 1,330 as of the 2022-23 academic year, with a relatively even number of undergraduate and graduate students. According to data provided by the college, students come to CCM from 41 different US states and 41 different countries. International students represent nearly one quarter of the student body.
CCM is the largest single source of performing arts presentations in Ohio, with nearly one thousand performances each academic year. Many of these performances are free to University of Cincinnati students and CCM now offers both a music minor and a media production minor. CCM also offers a wide variety of arts elective courses that are open to all University of Cincinnati students.
Departments and degree programs
CCM is organized into eight academic divisions, many of which contain several different departments or programs. These areas of the school offer multiple degree options – bachelor of arts (BA), bachelor of fine arts (BFA), bachelor of music (BM), master of arts (MA), master of music education (MME) master of fine arts (MFA), master of music (MM), doctor of musical arts (DMA), doctor of philosophy (PhD) and artist diploma (AD) – as follows: Composition, Musicology and Theory Composition (BM, MM, DMA) Musicology (MM, PhD) Music Theory (MM, PhD) Ensembles and Conducting Choral Conducting (MM, DMA) Commercial Music Production (BM) Jazz Studies (BM, MM) Orchestral Conducting (MM, DMA) Wind Conducting (MM, DMA) General Studies Music (BA, Minor) Keyboard Studies Harpsichord (BM, MM, DMA, AD) Organ (BM, MM, DMA, AD) Piano (BM, MM, DMA, AD) Media Production (BFA, Minor) Music Education (BM, MM, MME) Performance Studies Strings Classical Guitar (BM, MM) Double Bass (BM, MM, DMA, AD) Harp (BM, MM, DMA, AD) Viola (BM, MM, DMA, AD) Violin (BM, MM, DMA, AD) Violoncello (BM, MM, DMA, AD) Voice (BM, MM, DMA) Woodwinds/Brass/Percussion Bassoon (BM, MM, DMA, AD) Clarinet (BM, MM, DMA, AD) Flute (BM, MM, DMA, AD) Horn (BM, MM, DMA, AD) Oboe (BM, MM, DMA, AD) Percussion (BM, MM, DMA, AD) Saxophone (BM, MM, DMA, AD) Trombone (BM, MM, DMA, AD) Trumpet (BM, MM, DMA, AD) Tuba and Euphonium (BM, MM, DMA, AD) Theatre Arts, Production and Arts Administration Acting (BFA) Arts Administration (MA) Dance (BFA) Musical Theatre (BFA) Opera (AD) Theatre Design and Production Costume Design and Technology (BFA, MFA) Lighting Design and Technology (BFA, MFA) Make-up & Wig Design (MFA) Sound Design (BFA, MFA) Stage Design, Props and Scenic Art (BFA) Stage Design (MFA) Stage Properties (MFA) Stage Management (BFA, MFA) Technical Production (BFA) The college also offers many pre-college, professional development and continuing education programs through the CCM Prep and Summer Programs Office.