CCM Violin student thanks healthcare workers with music

Daniel Fields performs J.S. Bach's Violin Sonata No. 2 as a "thank you" to UC Health

University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music violin student Daniel Fields created a video to thank healthcare professionals for working to keep communities safe during the pandemic. Watch his performance of J.S. Bach's Violin Sonata No. 2 in A minor, "Andante."

Fields was inspired by unique displays of support he saw others share for healthcare workers over the summer.

"When I received the information regarding UC's plans to return to campus this fall, I had immediately identified the vital role that UC Health would serve in the battle against COVID-19," he adds. "I felt that it was my responsibility to offer my thanks to those sacrificing a great deal so that students like myself could safely return to campus."

UC's fall semester began on Monday, August 24, with a careful blend of online and in-person instruction, in addition to enhanced health and safety measures, for more than 46,400 students. In the midst of one of the most challenging periods in the history of higher education, UC began the new academic year with its eighth consecutive year of record-breaking enrollment.

Daniel Fields standing outside with his violin

Daniel Fields. Photo/Provided.

Fields is taking a combination of in-person and online classes at CCM this fall. Most of his courses are online, but he will attend in-person orchestra rehearsals with the CCM Philharmonia and private lessons. "Being able to make music alongside others again has undoubtedly been the highlight of my fall semester," Fields adds.

In his "thank you" video to healthcare workers and UC Health, Fields chose to perform the "Andante" movement from J.S. Bach's Violin Sonata No. 2 due to the "warmth and sincerity within the music." 

"The musical flow throughout the piece relies on a repeated 'heartbeat' accompaniment in the lower voice," Fields says. "It is music that I find incredibly heartfelt and personal and embodies my deepest expressions of gratitude." 

Fields studies with CCM Violin Professor Timothy Lees. "My work with him over these four years has been nothing short of incredible, and I feel so fortunate and proud to have been a member of his studio!"

In the spring, Fields and his family performed the first movement of Beethoven’s String Quartet in D Major, Op. 18, No. 3 and shared it online for music lovers everywhere to enjoy. The chamber music was performed in the family's living room and featured Cleveland Orchestra violinist Kathleen Collins and her children: Matthew Fields, a student cellist at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University; Daniel Fields, a student violinist at CCM; and Maya Fields, a student violist at CCM. Watch the performance online.

Fields also performs as a violinist with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. He has perviously performed as Concertmaster of the National Orchestral Institute Philharmonia and the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra. Learn more on Fields' professional website.

Do you want to be featured in our Music at Home student video series? Tag CCM's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts when you share on social media! You can also email ccmpr@uc.edu to tell us about yourself and share your work!

Related Stories

1

CCM welcomes new film and media scoring faculty member J.R. Paredes

May 20, 2026

UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of J.R. Paredes as CCM's new Assistant Professor of Film and Media Scoring. His faculty appointment officially begins on Aug. 15, 2026. Paredes is a composer, music producer and audio post-production specialist whose work spans film, television and commercial music. His credits include original scores for feature films and series distributed on platforms such as Apple TV+ and Prime Video, as well as extensive work in sound design and mixing for film and media.

2

Materials scientist gains valuable research experience

May 20, 2026

The opportunities at the College of Engineering and Applied Science are what attracted Ananth Balasubramanian to the University of Cincinnati. He came to UC as a master's student and after two years, transitioned to a direct PhD program in materials science and engineering. Here, he works in the Digital Fabrication Laboratory and recently was named Graduate Student Engineer of the Month by CEAS.