Student composer wins first prize at Prelude Chamber Music Festival competition
Aadhivan Ramkumar’s “Tremors” won a $1,000 prize at the Young Composers Competition
UC College-Conservatory of Music student Aadhivan Ramkumar won first place and a $1,000 award at the Young Composers Competition at the Prelude Chamber Music Festival for his three-movement string quartet Tremors.
Aadhivan Ramkumar. Photo/Provided.
Ramkumar is currently a BA Music student who studies composition with Professor Michael Fiday at CCM. The competition was open to composers under the age of 25 and they were required to write pieces for string trio or quartet.
Inspired by natural weather events, the three movements of “Tremors” are appropriately named “Earthquake,” “Ocean Waves,” and “Tornado.” In addition to the prize money, Ramkumar’s work was performed by members of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra which included CCM alumnus Piotr Szewczyk (BM Violin, 2000; MM Violin and Composition, 2003), violin’ Stephanie Lindsay, violin; Linda Minke, viola; and Ellen Olson, cello.
Ramkumar’s compositions have been performed throughout his home state of Ohio, including with the Cincinnati New Music Ensemble during their residency at CCM.
“My favorite part about studying at CCM is being exposed to so many talented musicians,” he says, “That factor serves as motivation for me to work hard and get better.”
About CCM's BA in Music
The BA in Music culminates in a liberal arts degree, which can be a gateway to careers in music and allied fields, including music promotions, arts administration, music therapy, journalism, enthnomusicology, musicology, music theory, composition, songwriting, commercial music production and library science.
Because of the liberal arts focus of the bachelor of arts degree, students primarily interested in performance should apply to a bachelor of music (BM) degree in their instrument.
The BA Music curriculum is flexible, and students design their coursework to emphasize particular skill areas or to complete a broader course of study that samples from all areas. Ample electives allow for the possibility to complete double-majors, minors, certificate programs (including pre-law or pre-med coursework) and to participate in study abroad opportunities. These experiences culminate in an individual capstone research project with a CCM faculty member.
The college also offers a Music Minor that provides students with a broad general education in Music. The minor offers non-music majors exposure to music through courses in musicology and ethnomusicology, music theory, music composition, music technology, jazz history and studies, commercial music production, and performance studies. Students already pursuing a degree in any college at UC can add the minor to their program. The minor is intended for students who want to develop a specialty in music that will complement other areas of study.
Featured image at the top: Stock photo of a music score.
Jaime Sharp
CCM Graduate Assistant, Marketing + Communications
Jaime Sharp is a master's student studying Vocal Performance at CCM. She serves as the Vice President of the CCM Graduate Student Association and Student Liaison for the CCM DEI Committee. Jaime holds a bachelor's from the University of Michigan.
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