CCM

The University of Cincinnati was created in 1819 while the schools that were to make up CCM were founded in 1867 (Cincinnati Conservatory of Music) and 1878 (College of Music of Cincinnati). Both music schools were very well known and constantly competed, attempting to hire in the best faculty from all over the world and constantly expanding their curricula. In order to attain standing as a top music school, CCM became a charter member of the National Association of Schools of Music in 1924. However, a few years later, due to more financial problems and various other burdens, the NASM threatened to classify CCM as a local school of music without degrees, despite the talent pool and the well-known faculty. [1] Eventually, financial burdens led the schools to merge. After some 20 years of discussion, and two failed attempts, the schools successfully merged in 1955. Some problems remained. Some students opposed the merger, and the new college struggled to provide adequate rehearsal space and other resources.

On August 1,1962, CCM became the 14th college of University of Cincinnati. Affiliation with UC offered the college more resources and the stability of the larger institution, which helped the college retain its talented students, staff and faculty, and its national ranking as a top music school. . Eleanor Allen said, “Musicians need to be educated in a wider scope than they were in the concentrated campus, the way we had done before. We needed the contact with people who were more worldly.”[2] Initially, CCM crammed into the crevices of the UC campus and even occupied houses in the area for studios and practice rooms. Finally, in the 1960s and 1970s, plans were established for new CCM buildings, including Mary Emery Hall and the Corbett Center for the Performing Arts. Extensive remodeling of the Schmidlapp building, which was transformed into Dieterle Vocal Arts Building, and Memorial Hall dorm, which was converted into practice rooms and other performance spaces were also planned in 1989.

[1] Foreman, B. J., and Jerri Roberts. College-Conservatory of Music 1867-1992: CCM 125. [Cincinnati]: University of Cincinnati, 1992. Print.

[2] 100 Years, College Conservatory of Music 1867-1967, University of Cincinnati. Cincinnati, 1967. Print.