Jazz at CCM

The Jazz Studies Program  at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music is designed for the student seeking a professional career in jazz and related fields of contemporary music. The philosophical objective is to develop the special talents of the creative jazz artist as well as the flexible skills required of the successful, well-rounded musician. The comprehensive curriculum includes weekly private lessons with jazz artist/teachers in residence, improvisation study in small classroom workshops, extensive courses in jazz theory, arranging, composition, jazz history, and jazz keyboard skills, plus integrally related courses like electronic music, digital recording and editing, sound reinforcement technology, the business of music, and ethnic and world music. Frequent rehearsals, recitals, and concerts provide the opportunity for students to work closely with the faculty and, in some cases present student/faculty collaborative performances. In addition to the 12 jazz_faculty in residence, numerous visiting artists present workshops and joint performances with students. Jazz Studies majors also enjoy the advantage of the myriad of classes, ensembles, and workshops offered by CCM's many other departments. Described by the New York Times as “...one of this country's leading conservatories," CCM offers professional training in all areas of performance, composition, musicology, theory, conducting, music education, opera, musical theater, drama, technical arts for the stage, dance, arts administration, and electronic media. The_College-Conservatory_of_Music presents an all-encompassing environment for the student who realizes that there are no longer any dividing lines between today's various performing and media arts.

Performing Ensembles

The Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab Band perform a wide variety of styles including historical swing, bebop, post-bop, fusion, Latin, and avant-garde. Special emphasis is placed on the idiom's great art-music composers such as Thad Jones, Bill Holman, and Bob Brookmeyer, on projects like the annual All-Ellington transcription concert, and on the performance of student arrangements. Concerts have included tributes to Woody Herman and Stan Kenton, as well as composer residency programs featuring artists like Jim McNeely, Kenny Werner, Maria Schneider, Slide Hampton, Tim Hagans, and Kenny Wheeler as guest conductors/performers. The Jazz Ensemble has been invited to appear at numerous professional festivals, educational conferences and radio broadcasts. Many internationally-recognized artists have performed as soloists with the big bands and combos, including Don Braden, John Clayton, Eddie Daniels, John Fedchock, Frank Foster, Curtis Fuller, Kenny Garrett, Billy Hart, Fred Hersch, Joe Henderson, Ahmad Jamal, Dave Liebman, Mulgrew Miller, Joshua Redman, Red Rodney, Marvin Stamm, Byron Stripling, Norris Turney, Roland Vazquez, Jiggs Whigham and James Williams . Serenade in Blue, the most recent compact disc recording by the CCM Jazz Ensemble on Sea Breeze Records continues to receive wide recognition and enthusiastic reviews. Cadence Magazine called it "a necessary part of any big-band enthusiast's library," Jazz Education Journal named it as one of the "Top Campus CDs of the Year," and Jazz Journal (England) said it featured "an array of remarkably mature soloists who would hold their own in any professional organization."

Just as important as the big bands is the extensive Chamber Jazz Program including approximately 9 combos. It ensures that all jazz majors perform in a supervised combo every year of their study. Specialized combos such as the Brazilian Ensemble and Jazz Guitar Ensemble are offered. CCM ensembles have received awards from Down Beat magazine and numerous festivals. Jazz students may also audition for more than 17 other orchestral, wind, and choral ensembles at CCM. Of particular interest to jazz majors are the numerous musical theater productions that utilize pit orchestras.

The CCM Faculty Jazztet also performs in residence on campus and often presents joint concerts with student ensembles.

Facilities

CCM Jazz Students enjoy the advantages of the comprehensive performing arts and electronic media facilities of the newly constructed and renovated "CCM Village". Jazz performing groups present concerts and recitals in Corbett Auditorium, Patricia Corbett Theater, Watson Recital Hall, and in the new Werner Recital Hall.

In addition, specific Jazz Studies Program facilities include a new digital recording and editing studio, a MIDI lab, computer workstations for music notation and sequencing programs, a state of the art computer-based teaching/presentation “smart classroom,” and rehearsal halls for jazz combos, big bands, and other student-organized performing groups. For larger recording projects, the Electronic Media Division offers extensive state-of-the art recording facilities. Jazz wind players, pianists, and vocalists utilize the newly constructed practice rooms in Memorial Hall, while jazz guitarists, bassists, and drummers have dedicated practice and storage rooms in close proximity to the rehearsal halls and performance theaters. In addition to CCM’s Gorno Memorial Music Library, the Jazz Studies Program has its own Jazz Record Library housing over 10,000 historic LP’s.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of CCM have performed  with orchestras such as the Vanguard Orchestra, Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson, Diva, and the Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey road bands. Some are recording their own CD’s, and recording and touring with jazz greats. Some are active in New York, Los Angeles, Nashville and Chicago studios, and in Broadway pit and national touring orchestras for musicals. Some are busy composing and orchestrating for film, TV, and advertising. Others are performing and arranging for stage productions, cruise ships, dance bands, night clubs, and freelance work. Many graduates teach privately and a number are teaching jazz studies at the college level.

The University of Cincinnati

The College-Conservatory of Music is located on the campus of the University of Cincinnati, a major undergraduate university and graduate research institution of over 35,000 students. It is one of only 88 classified as a “Research I” University by the Carnegie Commission. This provides a wide selection of academic electives to all students, including Jazz Studies Majors. The CCM Jazz Studies Program offers specialized professional training and is recommended for highly motivated music students. Nevertheless, very talented musicians, especially undergraduates, benefit from the opportunity to explore other fields or other potential majors.

While it is part of the larger campus, CCM also maintains an atmosphere of a professional conservatory. There is a feeling of “family” among CCM students and an especially close camaraderie among Jazz Studies Majors.

The Greater Cincinnati Area

The metropolitan area of Greater Cincinnati and the tri-state region provide a busy and diverse working environment for jazz, classical, and commercial musicians, and many students find professional playing opportunities off campus. In addition to major arts organizations like the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, venues such as Riverbend Music Center, USBank Arena, and Aronoff Center for the Arts present music by international touring artists. Numerous jazz clubs feature local groups, often including CCM students. Many students like the fact that Cincinnati is a major cultural center, but still a city that is a “livable” size.

Jazz at CCM | Undergraduate Degrees & Curriculum | Undergraduate Admissions, Auditions & Scholarships
| Graduate Degrees & Curriculum | Graduate Admissions, Auditions, Scholarships & Graduate Assistantships
| Faculty | Visiting Jazz Artists | Course Descriptions