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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.
Wind Studies
CCM's Department of Wind Studies offers five ensembles for credit, including the CCM Wind Symphony, CCM Wind Ensemble, CCM Chamber Winds, CCM Musica Nova and CCM Brass Choir.
Each ensemble meets two to three times per week and each performs six full programs annually. Each graduate conducting student conducts all five of these ensembles each year, supervised by Director of Wind Studies Kevin Michael Holzman.
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 twice weekly during each semester in residence.
- Applied Study in Wind Conducting: Weekly private conducting lessons with Professor Holzman to view recordings of rehearsals, discuss score study, and improve technique.
Faculty
Kevin Michael Holzman,
Division Head of Ensembles and Conducting; Director and Associate Professor of Wind Studies
Ensembles and Conducting Division Head and Staff
Kevin Michael Holzman,
Division Head of Ensembles and Conducting; Director and Associate Professor of Wind Studies
CCM's 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.
Conducting (Choral, Orchestral, Wind) - MM, DM
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.
Pre-screening Requirements
Note: Your video should be from the ensemble perspective, not from behind the conductor.
- Choral
- Conducting/Teaching: Submit a 20–30-minute video that demonstrates your conducting and rehearsal. Include at least one complete piece. Note: The camera angle should be focused from the ensemble perspective, so your face and gestures are visible.
- Keyboard: Demonstrate your musicianship by submitting an example of a solo piece where you feel most comfortable and musical.
- Vocal: Submit a video of your solo vocal abilities. This can be any song, aria, lieder, etc. of your choosing. Consider demonstrating your musical ability, use of language, and intonation skills.
- 2 letters of recommendation
- DMA applicants must submit an essay.
- This essay could be either a demonstration of your scholarship (analysis, scholarly writing, or published article) or a statement of your desire to pursue a DMA in Choral Conducting (no more than two pages).
- Orchestral – Video recording (no more than 15 minutes) of at least two contrasting works in performance/rehearsal; either excerpts thereof or in their entirety (may include one rehearsal video)
- Wind
- Two video recordings of rehearsals (15 min each, maximum)
- Two video recordings of performances (15 min each, maximum)
- 2 letters of recommendation
- DMA applicants must submit an essay.
Audition
Choral Conducting
Applicants who pass the pre-screening will be invited to campus for an interview, conducting audition, and skills exam. Details of the audition will be sent to the appropriate applicants in February.
Orchestral Conducting
Applicants who pass the pre-screening will be invited to campus for an interview, conducting audition, and skills exam. Details of the audition will be sent to the appropriate applicants in February.
Wind Conducting
The in-person audition will consist of:
- Conducting two works (one large ensemble, one chamber) which will be determined at the time of invitation
- A 30-minute aural skills diagnostic exam
- Complete a diagnostic wind literature exam
- Interview with the faculty
- One-hour lesson with Professor Holzman
a vibrant performance
Janelle's Notes
Committed to performing diverse and exciting programs, 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 and also participates in recording sessions for album release under the Klavier Records label.
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 ensemble performs at CCM and throughout the Greater Cincinnati community.
Founded in 1946 by Ernest N. Glover, the CCM Brass Choir is comprised of French horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion and performs original and transcribed music for brass ensemble. Directed by Professor Timothy Northcut, the Brass Choir has been featured at nearly every important educational conference in the United States, and serves as a leading collegiate brass ensemble.
CCM’s newest ensemble, CCM Musica Nova was founded in 2022. Consisting of a solo compliment of strings, winds, keyboards and percussion, it is dedicated to the music of living composers. The ensemble performs five programs per year of exciting and innovative new music composed by some of the world’s most renowned and creative artists.
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.
Performances and Public Events
News and Announcements
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Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and CCM collaborate on new program
September 15, 2026
Symphony Behind the Scenes, a 10-week adult education series from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and UC College-Conservatory of Music, invites audiences behind the curtain of a professional orchestra. From artistic planning and rehearsal techniques to administration, education and concerto production, this course offers an insider’s view of how symphonic music comes to life.
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Get to know CCM’s newest faculty and staff members
September 14, 2026
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
September 8, 2026
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 hosts Wind Conducting Symposium on Nov. 12-14
July 31, 2026
UC's College-Conservatory of Music hosts the CCM Wind Conducting Symposium on Nov. 12-14, 2026. Open to emerging and established conductors, participants will have the opportunity to conduct CCM ensembles and receive instruction and feedback from CCM Wind Studies faculty Kevin Holzman and Tyler Ehrlich, as well as guest artist/ clinician Jerry Junkin, Director of Bands at The University of Texas at Austin.
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CCM welcomes Hiram Diaz as Visiting Artist of Euphonium
June 25, 2026
UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Hiram Diaz as CCM's Visiting Artist of Euphonium for 2026-27. A CCM alumnus (BM Euphonium Performance, 2007), Diaz's visiting appointment begins this fall.
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CCM announces initial schedule of performances for 2026-27
June 11, 2026
The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) has announced its initial schedule of major performances for 2026-27. These 15 events include beloved titles for the stage like La bohème, RENT and Cabaret, along with concerts showcasing the works of Gustav Mahler, Duke Ellington and John Williams … just to name a few highlights! This schedule of major performances runs Sept. 15, 2026, through April 23, 2027. Tickets for all 15 concerts and shows listed below are on sale now. See individual performance listings for additional information.
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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.