CCM hosts UC alumnus and Civil Rights Activist Jim Obergefell
Obergefell visited campus for CCM Wind Ensemble's performance of Viet Cuong's "John and Jim"
UC College-Conservatory of Music welcomed alumnus and civil rights activist Jim Obergefell (CECH, '90) for a panel discussion and performance that occured earlier this month on Feb. 6-7, 2026. View the gallery below to see photos from the event.
Supported by a grant from the Harmony Fund at CCM, Obergefell visited campus with composer Viet Cuong for the CCM Wind Ensemble's performance of Cuong's John and Jim. The piece was composed to celebrate Obergefell and John Arthur, the couple at the center of the landmark Supreme Court rulling that legalized gay marriage in 2015. Read more about Obergefell and Arthur's love story and fight for marriage equality.
“This piece is an expression of love and of loss and of triumph,” Cuong told The News Record. “In the piece I interpolate some of Pachelbel’s Canon to create a new take on wedding music for John and Jim, and to honor their legacy and all that they both did for the fight for marriage equality.”
Viet Cuong and Jim Obergefell on stage during the CCM Wind Ensemble concert on Feb. 7, 2026. Photo by Karolina Clarey.
As part of their visit, Obergefell and Cuong participated in a panel discussion with CCM Assistant Dean of Student Services Jessie Grant, held in the Baur Room for students, faculty and staff on Friday, Feb. 6. They also attended and spoke at the ticketed performance, held in Corbett Auditorium on Feb. 7. The "Make Our Garden Grow" concert was led by CCM Wind Ensemble music director and conductor Tyler Ehrlich. Ehrlich and Cuong are friends, which makes this collaboration even more special.
"Collaboration is one of the many things that makes the arts such a great place to work in," Ehrlich said. "I really try to encourage students that, while they are here, now is the time to forget those relationships. Find the composers, find the performers, find those collaborators — because really special things happen when you get to bring people together."
Next OnStage at CCM
Join us for upcoming performances presented as part of CCM's Winds Series:
- 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5 | "Double Play," featuring the CCM Wind Ensemble and CCM Jr. Youth Wind Ensemble (ticketed)
- 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13 | "Transformations," featuring the CCM Wind Symphony, Walnut Hills High School Wind Ensemble and faculty artists James Bunte, saxophone; and Timothy Northcut, tuba (ticketed)
- 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16 | "Ecstatic Waters," featuring the CCM Wind Ensemble (free)
- 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25 | "The Idea of America," a musical tribute to USA's 250th anniversary featuring the CCM Philharmonia and CCM Wind Symhphony with guest artist Col. Phil Tilly, narrator; and faculty artist Quinn Patrick Ankrum, mezzo soprano (ticketed)
Explore CCM's calendar of upcoming performances and events at ccm.uc.edu/onstage.
Featured image at the top: CCM Assistant Dean of Student Services Jessie Grant, Jim Obergefell and Viet Cuong during a panel discussion. Photo/Provided by CCM Winds.
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