Providing arts opportunities
to the community for over 100 years

Group Programs

Theory Program

Instructors: Dr. Ellen Harrison, Dr. Igor Plitsyn, Stephen Brown, Bruce Deaton

All private music students are strongly recommended to take music theory classes. Students are placed through a theory placement exam. Topics covered include reading pitch and rhythmic notation, ear training, and for older students, melodic and harmonic analysis, form and structure.

Students enrolled in theory classes also receive laboratory time in the CCM technology labs where they will have access to state of the art theory programs to augment their classroom time. There is a discount for theory classes for those students who are taking private lessons through the Prep department. Private lessons in theory and composition are also available.

Music Theory Levels I–III

Most younger students take two to three years of study to complete each of the three levels. High school and adult students usually complete each level in one year.

Young Students

• Level IA— Saturdays 10am
• Level IB — Saturdays 9am
• Level IIA — Saturdays 3pm
• Level IIB — Saturdays 10am
• Level IIIA — Saturdays 11am
• Level IIIB — Saturdays 12pm

High School and Adults

• Level I — Saturdays 1pm
• Level II — Saturdays 2pm
• Level III — Saturdays 3pm

Crash Theory at the Keyboard

Instructor: Stephen Brown

For high school students who plan to major or minor in music and have not yet taken any music theory and/or piano. This class will help prepare you for college placement tests. Requirements: fluent music reading skills and desire to gain basic piano proficiency and knowledge of music theory. Class meets in the Keyboard laboratory Saturdays at 1pm.

Eurhythmics

Instructor: Bruce Deaton

Every child and child at heart, loves games. Dalroze-Eurhythmics uses musical games, singing, and movement activities to teach the mind and body how to make music. Games require concentration, awareness and cooperation. Self discipline (solo) and teamwork (ensemble) are developed. Parent and child alike are encouraged to participate and embody real time musical theory and embody real time musical expression. This is how music works!

Eurhythmic classes are held on Saturdays: Eurhythmics I at 10am and Eurhythmics II at 11am. Classes are one hour in length. To inquire about participation, please call the office.

Please check with the office for any updates on this schedule. Placement exams and more information are available in the office or by calling 556-2595.

Suzuki Program

The Suzuki Method, developed by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, is based on the evidence that talent is a product of environment rather than heredity. The learning process is broken down to small steps so that the child achieves accomplishment at every level and learns at his or her own pace. The keys to the success of the Suzuki Method include motivation, repetition, listening, reinforcement, and parental involvement.

The Suzuki program is geared towards children 3 ½ and up. The CCM Prep Suzuki program includes piano, violin, and viola instruction. Each program involves weekly private lessons, group classes, parent education information and performance opportunities including group concerts and recitals.

To request more information about opportunities in Suzuki, please contact the prep office at 513/556-2595 for additional information and a pre-registration form. The Music Registrar will be able to answer any additional questions you have.

Music for Little Mozarts – NEW! 4-6 years - $275 (includes $65 materials fee)

Instructor: Lindsey Zierolf

Music for Little Mozarts is a comprehensive approach to piano playing geared toward children ages 4-6 that lays a foundation for a lifetime of musical enjoyment. Students will follow the adventures of Mozart Mouse and Beethoven Bear as they learn to sing, play, listen to, and create music in CCM’s state-of-the-art piano labs. Fee includes deluxe starter kit with music and accompanying materials.

Anyone interested in this program should contact the office at 556-2595. Classes are 40 minutes and meet at 9:15 and 10:00 on Saturday mornings.

THE ÁCCENT PROGRAM
Director: Dorotea Vismara Hoffman

ÁCCENT CHAMBER MUSIC PROGRAM
(Percussion, Strings, Voice, Piano and Winds. By audition. Auditions for Fall Semester is September 8; Spring Semester auditions on January 5. 9 weeks seminars beginning in September and January))

The Áccent Program offers young musicians the opportunity to enjoy chamber music in their high school and jr. high school years. The repertoire covers masterworks for trios, quartets and quintets, but it also includes simpler scores for the beginning ensembles. We now offer also an improvisation workshop. Our ensembles have performed new works, and music by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Grant Still, Bacewicz, etc, in various venues in the US and in Europe. We present several performances each semester at CCM, in retirement homes, churches, schools etc., and organize performance tours to Europe. Our best ensembles get special coachings and master classes from guest artists, teachers and CCM Prep faculty.

ÁCCENT PRIVATE LESSONS
(Strings only. Fall and Spring Semester: 15 lessons per semester starting in August and January)

Now in its eleventh year, the Áccent method provides pre-college violin, viola and cello students with a comprehensive studio program from the very first notes to a fluent high level of performing. It has been recognized locally and abroad as an excellent method for engaging children and teens in musical proficiency.

The Áccent method provides students with:

• Weekly private lessons
• Vast repertoire tailored to the specific student
• Multiple performance opportunities
• Repertoire from the individual students’ cultural heritage
• Ensemble music from the very first years of instruction
• Frequent group lessons for the beginning students
• Attentive preparation for auditions
• Tours abroad
• Master classes with guest artists

Here is a list of Áccent master classes guest artists so-far:
VIOLINISTS Emma Rubinstein (Miami University), Brice Farrar (Lexington Philharmonic), Daniel Mason (University of Kentucky), John Blake Jr. (Philadelphia –based jazz violinist), Miriam Sadun (Conservatorio di Musica di Firenze), Gabriel Pegis (Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra), Won Bin-Yim (CCM).
VIOLISTS Mimi Zweig (Indiana University), John Thomas Posadas (Kalias String Quartet), Peter Neubert (Hardin-Simmons University), Mary Harrison (Miami University), Kathryn Plummer (Vanderbilt University), Augusto Vismara (Conservatorio di Musica di Firenze).
CELLISTS Norman Johns (Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra), Adrianne Wininsky (Nayfumble), Dobrila Berkovic-Magdalenic (Functional Music School, Zagreb), Andrea Nannoni (Conservatorio di Musica di Firenze).

Starling Preparatory Strings Project

Chairperson: Kurt Sassmannshaus

The Starling Preparatory String Project is a specialized honors program training young string students. The program is generously funded through a grant by the Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation. The superbly talented musicians of the Starling Chamber Orchestra range in age from 8–18 and are selected by audition from throughout the United States and abroad. It offers unprecedented opportunities for young artists to perform as soloists, tour internationally, and make recordings. Since 1992, the orchestra has performed at the Kennedy Center and Aspen Music Festival and has toured Europe, Korea, and China. Those selected also participate in the Starling Preparatory String Project. The Starling program includes performing in the Starling Chamber Orchestra “the world’s youngest chamber orchestra” and also are featured on several recordings.

The Starling Kids program is for beginning string students, four to seven years old, and includes lessons, chamber music, theory and group classes. Students are accepted into this program through an interview process.

For more information on the Starling Preparatory String Project visit www.starling.org.