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to the community for over 100 years

Instrumental Ensembles

To give young musicians the opportunity to experience ensemble techniques and to play a wider variety of repertoire, the following ensembles are available by age, ability and audition.

Cincinnati Cello Choir

Director: Ellen Shertzer

Cincinnati Cello Choir is a performing ensemble primarily for junior high and high school students organized and conducted by Ellen Shertzer. It is designed to give cellists an opportunity to experience the repertoire and rich sound of a cello orchestra. Membership is open to cellists who play and are fluent in the first four positions of the cello, and use vibrato. Tenor and treble clef knowledge is preferred but not required. Music is selected to accommodate advanced and intermediate readers. Advanced elementary students are accepted by teacher recommendation. Cello Choir will meet on alternate Saturday afternoons from 4–5pm during the academic year. For more information and audition information call 513-325-5385.

Jazz Explosion

Director: Drews Mitchell

For students in grades 7-9. An all-inclusive jazz ensemble for students with a strong interest in learning both jazz improvisation and big band techniques. Auditions will take place on September 24 and October 1. Rehearsals are on Monday evenings feom 7-8:30pm. Call 556-2595 for an audition time.

Brass Choir

Conductor: Paul Hillner

The Brass Choir is open to outstanding high school brass performers who are interested in increasing their knowledge of brass literature and performing in concerts and special programs.  Enrollment is limited to six trumpets, five french horns, three trombones, one baritone horn and one tuba. Membership is determined by auditions to be held in early September.

Contact Paul Hillner, Assistant Dean for Admissions, at (513) 556-9478 for an audition appointment.  The Brass Choir rehearses each Wednesday 7 to 9 p.m. during the academic year.

Cincinnati Youth Wind Ensemble (CYWE) - (Grades 9 - 12)

Conductor: Keith Phillips

The Preparatory Department, in cooperation with CCM’s Collegiate Wind Studies program, presents the only area wind ensemble for students in the greater Cincinnati area. CYWE for wind players in grades nine through twelve, who play clarinet, flute, oboe, saxophone, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, string bass, and percussion. CYWE is designed to be an enhancing and enriching experience for area high school students. Rehearsals are from 5:30–8:30pm Sunday evenings.

Auditions: September 12-14, 2008. Membership is open by audition. Please call the CCM prep office at 513/556-2595 for an audition time and click here for the required music selections for your instrument.

Cincinnati Junior Youth Wind Ensemble - (Grades 6 - 8)

Conductor: Dr. Ann Porter

The Preparatory Department, in cooperation with CCM's Music Education program, presents this new addition to the CCM Preparatory Ensemble division. Jr. CYWE is the only area wind ensemble for middle school students in the greater Cincinnati area and consists of clarinet, flute, oboe, saxophone, bassoon, french horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, string bass, and percussion players. A minimum of two-year specific instrument experience is required. Rehearsals are from 5:30 - 7 p.m. Sunday evenings.

Auditions: September 22 & 23, 2007. Membership is open by audition. Please call the CCM prep office at 513/556-2595 for an audition times and further information.

Cincinnati Junior Strings - (Grades 3 - 9)

Conductor: Dr. Gerald Doan

The Cincinnati Junior Strings is a performing orchestra for students in grades nine or below who play violin, viola, cello, or string bass, organized and conducted by Dr. Gerald R.  Doan, Professor Emeritus of Music Education at CCM.  It is designed to augment and cooperate with area public school string programs in training young players.  At the conductor's discretion, one student will be awarded a full tuition scholarship for the year. 

Membership is open by audition in September only. Audition requirements include scales, sight-reading, and one short solo, which demonstrate the player's ability level.  To schedule an audition, call (513) 791-7815 during August. Auditions will be held on September 8 and 9 at The Center for the Arts, Wyoming. Cincinnati Junior Strings rehearses at the Center every Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and performs several times a year.  Each rehearsal stresses group string techniques, motivation, and orchestral performance techniques.  Dr. Doan's assistant is Rachel Zieber.           

STARLING PREPARATORY STRING PROJECT

Chairperson: Kurt Sassmannshaus

The Starling Preparatory String Project is a specialized honors program training young string students. The program, generously funded through a grant by the Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation, focuses on two complementary phases of string education:

• The best possible beginning instruction for four to seven year old children, including an elementary musicianship curriculum: The Starling Kids.


• The achievement of excellence in the college preparatory stage of exceptionally talented young string students. This includes courses in ear training, theory and chamber music.


• Students perform in the Starling Chamber Orchestra "the world's youngest chamber orchestra" and also are featured on several recordings.

The Starling Preparatory String Project is for children age four to seven in beginning violin or cello study: The program offers:

• The most advanced and successful European violin and cello method, available for the first time in the United States;


• Direction and supervision by Professor Kurt Sassmannshaus, chairperson of CCM's string department and director of the Starling Project;


• A musicianship program compatible with the violin and cello method, teaching rhythm, note reading, sight reading and other basic musicianship skills.

Please call the Preparatory Department at 556-2595 for a special application. Students are accepted into this program through an interview process.