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Dean Jutras looks back on year two at CCM
September 23, 2026
CCM Dean Pete Jutras shares a message with the college's community as he enters his third year.
Music Theory
CCM's music theory programs focus on various musical elements and how they work together to create unique compositions.
Our world-renowned faculty — who come from diverse backgrounds and specialize in every era and style from Antiquity to the present — combine rigorous academic training with opportunities for specialization in a variety of areas, helping students learn through hands-on approaches, one-on-one advising, guest lectures and semesterly seminars/colloquium that encourage intelligent discussions between peers.
At the same time, the flexibility of the curriculum and the required cognate (for doctoral students) allow them the opportunity to explore particular fields of interest — whether they be in performance, musicology or composition — to broaden their horizons and gain greater knowledge of the music they are studying. CCM Theory's position within one of the United States' top music programs also means access to acclaimed instrumental/vocal teachers and students, guaranteeing high quality feedback and interaction.
Faculty
Composition, Musicology and Theory Division Head and Staff
Jonathan Kregor,
Division Head of Composition, Musicology and Theory; Professor of Musicology
513-556-9464
The master's program is designed to provide a comprehensive course of study in music theory and analysis as well as related subject areas. A candidate is expected to acquire a broad knowledge of music theory and will be introduced to the issues, concepts, and methods pertinent to the field of study. Determination of a candidate's specific responsibilities will be made by an academic adviser and the director of graduate studies. The MM in music theory helps students acquire competence in the broad range of endeavors characteristic of music theory including:
- Research
- Writing
- Conference paper presentations
- Writing and Publishing a Master's Thesis
- Teaching
To accomplish these goals, students will also need to develop the requisite skills in musicianship, languages, etc. Determination of a student's specific responsibilities will be made by a principal adviser, cognate adviser and director of graduate studies.
The PhD program in music theory is designed to provide a comprehensive course of study in the theory, literature, and philosophy of music and related subject areas. As opposed to the MM program, the coursework for the PhD program is made up of rotating specialized seminars that offer in-depth coverage of specific areas of interest. Students are expected to acquire competence in the broad range of endeavors characteristic of music theory, including:
- Research
- Writing
- Conference paper presentations
- Writing and Publishing a Doctoral Dissertation
- Teaching ability to demonstrate intellectual breadth through the completion of a significant program of study in a secondary field (cognate).
To accomplish these goals, students will also need to develop the requisite skills in musicianship, languages, etc. Determination of a student's specific responsibilities will be made by a principal adviser, cognate adviser, and director of graduate studies.
CCM's graduate admissions process begins on August 1 for entrance in the following year's fall semester. All application materials must be submitted on or before December 3 to be considered for specific scholarship awards. Visit the CCM Admissions website for additional application instructions.
Music Theory - MM, PHD
Pre-screening
Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 to be considered for admissions and invited for an audition.
All pieces should be performed from memory except for duo sonatas or the music composed after 1960.
Pre-screening Requirements
- Submit two papers on music theory and/or music analysis
- CV
- Statement essay about motivation and educational/research goals for undertaking a graduate degree program in music theory. This essay should be different than the essay uploaded during the UC graduate application process.
Additional Information
- Prospective students who hold master’s degrees in other areas of music should apply for the MM in theory
- The prerequisite for the PhD in music (music theory emphasis) is a master’s degree in music theory
- Applicants should demonstrate keyboard facility, good musicianship skills and commitment to the discipline
- For more information about the Music Theory program, contact Professor Cahn (cahnsj@mail.uc.edu)
- All applicants to the graduate programs in music theory will take both the TA exam and skills audition. If you are not applying as a theory major and wish to take both the TA exam and skills audition, notify Professor Cahn (cahnsj@mail.uc.edu) and CCM Graduate Admissions of your intent by December 1, 2026.
Interview
After the application review process, applicants will be scheduled and notified if they are invited for an interview. The two-day interview and exams will take place on campus and virtually online.
Theory Graduate Assistantship Requirements (open to any CCM graduate program)
New Graduate Assistants teach theory and musicianship courses in the core undergraduate program.
- Written diagnostic test: the 40-minute written diagnostic test covers undergraduate level concepts and skills in tonal harmony and voice leading. If deemed qualified by this test, applicants will be scheduled for the skills assessment and teaching demonstration. This will most likely be available online for applicants to take during a specified time frame prior to the audition.
- If deemed qualified by this test, during one of the CCM Audition Weekends you will be scheduled for a musicianship interview as a well as a practice teaching demonstration with the theory faculty.
- Musicianship skills assessment: the 15-minute musicianship skills assessment will test sight-singing, rhythm and keyboard skills
- A teaching demonstration: the 10-minute teaching demonstration, applicants will deliver a mock lesson introducing the Neapolitan sixth as if to a sophomore “student” audience (a faculty interviewer). Applicants are responsible for preparing all aspects of their teaching demonstration (lecture, illustrations, musical examples) in advance.
- In preparation for the teaching demonstration, applicants are urged to consult a prominent and reputable undergraduate harmony textbook (e.g. Miguel A. Roig-Francolí, Harmony in Context, 3rd ed. or L.Poundie Burnstein, Concise Introduction to Tonal Harmony, 3rd ed.).
- Applicants who apply for a Theory Teaching Assistantship will be considered for admission and other types of financial assistance even if they do not yet meet the requirements for a TA.
For additional information, contact Professor Steven Cahn.
Students enrolled in a doctoral program at CCM are expected to demonstrate intellectual breadth through the completion of a significant program of study in a secondary field (cognate).
Cognate in Music Composition
The cognate in Music Composition cognate requires a minimum of 9 credit hours of courses offered within the Composition Department (i.e. with the “COMP” prefix in the course number).
The core course requirement for the cognate is Composition Elective (COMP6030, 1 to 2 course units), which the student should take for at least two consecutive semesters. This course enables the student to compose their own music under the guidance of weekly lessons with one of our Graduate Assistants in Composition.
Beyond that, the student may take any other course within the Composition program, provided the course is at the graduate level (i.e. 6000 course number or above). Available courses for which the student may register include the following:
- Composition Symposium (COMP6001, 1 course unit)
- Advanced Orchestration (COMP6012, 3 c.u.)
- Special Topics in Composition (COMP6011, 3 c.u.)
- Composer/Performer Workshop (COMP6002, 1-3 c.u.)
- Introductory courses in Electronic Music (Introduction to Electronic Music, Electronic Music Techniques (COMP6071, 6072, 3 c.u.)
- Advanced courses in Electronic Music (Music Programming Projects, Interactive Music, Timbre Studies, COMP6077, 6076, 3 c.u.)
- A variety of other courses available within the Composition program, such as Professional Aspects of a Composition Career, Shaping Time, Writing for Voice, etc.
Interested students first meet with a member of the Composition faculty to determine their interest and readiness to pursue a cognate in Composition. Once accepted, the student draws up a course plan in consultation with a member of the Composition faculty who acts as that student’s cognate advisor. After the student has completed their coursework in the cognate, they consult with their cognate advisor at least one semester before they take the DMA Orals Exam in their major to devise a focused course of study that will provide the basis for questioning during the cognate portion of the orals exam. The cognate advisor then questions the student on composition-related topics for 20 minutes during the cognate portion of the DMA Orals Exam. Once this requirement has been passed, the student has successfully completed the cognate.
Cognate in Musicology/Music History
The music history cognate will consist of three graduate-level MUHS topics courses or seminars (at least 9 semester hours at the 6000, 8000, or 9000 level). The student should consult with a musicology faculty member whose specialty is in an area of the student’s interest. If the faculty member agrees, they will become the student’s cognate advisor and will help the student draw up a suitable plan of study according to the following guidelines:
- At least one of the courses must be an 8000- or 9000-level course.
- Courses in ethnomusicology may be included if appropriate to the area of specialization
- The following courses may not be used for cognate hours:
- Any courses being used to fulfill the student’s degree requirement in music history
- Any courses being used as substitution for a DMA document.
The cognate advisor will participate on the committee for the student's final oral examination.
Cognate in Music Theory
The music theory cognate (12 credit hours) consists of three required courses (9 credit hours) and one graduate-level elective (3 credit hours). The cognate aims to provide students with a solid grounding in advanced tonal and post-tonal analysis, theory pedagogy and another practical/theoretical area depending on the student’s interest. Applicants will be interviewed by the cognate advisor (a member of the music theory faculty) to discuss their experience and interest in music theory. Approval will be granted to students with sufficient background and proficiency in analytical and/or theoretical studies in music at the bachelor’s and master’s levels.
Required Music Theory Cognate Courses (9 credit hours)
- Pedagogy of Theory (THRY 7015) 3
- Studies in Post-Tonal Analysis (THRY 8042) 3
- Studies in Tonal Analysis (THRY 8041) 3
Cognate electives (3 credit hours)
Students may choose any one course from the following list of graduate-level courses:
- Advanced Musicianship (THRY 6015)
- 16th-Century Counterpoint (THRY 6001)
- 18th-Century Counterpoint (THRY 6005)
- Special Topics (THRY 6060)
- Tonal Theory (THRY 7020)
- Readings in Music Theory (THRY 7050)
- Advanced Topics in Analysis (THRY 8001)
- Set Theory 2 (THRY 8012)
- Schenkerian Analysis 2 (THRY 8016)
- Introduction to Aesthetics (THRY 9001)
- History of Theory 1: Antiquity to 1600 (THRY 9011)
- History of Theory 2: 1600 to present (THRY 9012)
- Rhythm and Meter (THRY 9050)
- Seminar in Analysis (THRY 9082)
- Seminar in Music Theory (THRY 9081)
Cognate in Ethnomusicology
Students enrolled in a doctoral program at CCM are expected to demonstrate intellectual breadth through the completion of a significant program of study in a secondary field (cognate).
Requirements (9-15 credits)*:
- 3 credits: Theory and Historiography in Ethnomusicology (required)
- 1-3 credits: World Music Lab(s)
- 3-6 credits: Electives in ethnomusicology or related discipline(s) in consultation with faculty advisor.
* The following courses may not be used for cognate credits:
- Any courses being used to fulfill the student’s degree requirement in music history
- Any courses being used as substitution for a DMA thesis
The cognate advisor will participate on the committee for the student's final oral examination.
News and Events
2
Get to know CCM’s newest faculty and staff members
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UC’s College-Conservatory of Music will welcome a variety of new faculty and staff members to its roster of distinguished performing and media arts experts, researchers and educators this fall.
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CCM welcomes Jordan M. Davis as Assistant Dean of Admissions
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UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Jordan M. Davis, MA, as the college's new Assistant Dean of Admissions. In this role, Davis will be responsible for the vision, strategy and execution of all undergraduate and graduate recruitment and admissions for CCM. Working in partnership with college and university leadership, Davis will work to ensure that CCM's enrollment goals continue to align with its artistic and academic priorities. His appointment begins on Oct. 1, 2026.
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CCM shares 2026-27 calendar of ticketed + free performances and events
August 20, 2026
Experience world-class performances by the next generation of performing and media artists at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). With more than 130 different performances and events, there is something happening nearly every week of the school year!
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CCM presents film screening double feature "Cincinnati Sounds" + "King of Them All"
June 2, 2026
CCM invites audiences to explore the city of Cincinnati's musical spaces, places and sounds via two engaging documentaries in a single program. Join us at the Garfield Theatre on Saturday, June 13, 2026, for a Movie Screening and Discussion that delves into Cincinnati's exciting musical heritage. Student discount tickets are available at Cincinnati World Cinema. Screenings occur at both 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Filmmakers in attendance. For information and tickets: https://cincyworldcinema.org/cincy-sounds/
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CCM welcomes Rachel Roberts as Associate Dean of Strategy and Operations
May 11, 2026
UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Rachel Roberts, EdD, as CCM's inaugural Associate Dean of Strategy and Operations. In this newly-created role, Roberts will partner with Dean Jutras and other college leaders to advance strategic, operational and academic priorities. Roberts is nationally recognized for developing leaders and advancing how musicians and arts organizations learn, adapt and lead in an evolving arts landscape. Her appointment officially begins on July 6, 2026.
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New CCM apparel available for purchase online
January 12, 2026
Show your school spirit this spring with official CCM apparel! New UC College-Conservatory of Music apparel is available for purchase online. CCM's Spring 2026 apparel can be ordered online now through Feb. 2, 2026. You can preview five wearable items below.
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Get to know CCM’s newest faculty and staff members
November 21, 2025
UC’s College-Conservatory of Music will welcome a variety of new faculty and staff members to its roster of distinguished performing and media arts experts, researchers and educators this fall.
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Attend a concert or show at CCM: Fall schedule of major events now available
August 19, 2025
Experience world-class performances by the next generation of performing and media artists at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM)! The college’s fall 2025 schedule of major events is now available; tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.