CCM-musical theater

[amiliablair]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 3:22pm

I am an upcoming senior in high school and am definetely considering applying for CCM. Is there anyone that has auditioned for the musical theater program lately or who attends the school. I know that it is a fabulous program but was just wanting to get some advice on how to prepare this last year and how tough the admission process is. Is it more competitive than other schools?? I have a ton of community theatre experience and am strong academicaly. Do they recognize and award academics at all??? Any help or suggestions for other schools would be greatly appriciated!!
THanks so much!!
Updated On: 6/17/05 at 03:22 PM

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 3:28pm

I don't know anything about the audition process - but I can tell you that I've worked with a lot of CCM graduates and they were all highly talented and very professional to work with. (and Very Prepared for working in this business!)

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 3:35pm

Many graduates say it is VERY cut-throat. It is not all the glory it may seem.

Updated On: 6/17/05 at 03:35 PM

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 3:36pm

I agree with redhotinnyc2. I know it is a very difficult program to get into. Best of luck!

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 3:37pm

But it is a beautiful campus...I took a tour/sat in on some classes this past April.

[Jwei123]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 3:38pm

I'm auditioning this next year too, and from everything I've heard, it is VERY cut-throat, but definitely worth it. All graduates I have talked to about it say that it is a VERY tough school and that it is most CERTAINLY not for everyone, and you need to have tons of drive to make it, not to mention tremendous talent.

[broadwayalto01]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 3:39pm

Just to warn you.. It's very difficult to get into CCM... I know 10 people who applied (all extremely talented) and only 1 got into the program..! I am wishing you luck !!

[ACTlete676]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 4:21pm

Two people from my hometown are in the program right now! Both are very talented!! Kristin Chenoweth comes and has a master class!!!!! They are very grueling at CCM and not just musically, they will tell you up front if they dont like your hair cut or style. Both are females, and its really hard to get in for females. Two years ago they did Lippa's Wild Party! Lucky!

[WayWicked]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 5:32pm

As long as you a female who weights between 90 and 91 pounds (no matter the height) and willing to develop an eating disorder, then go for it.

Read the insulting brochure they send out that tells you you need to be thin, maybe you need cosmetic surgery, maybe you should weight less.

There are more disorders (eating and mental) at this school. Have fun!

[Aigoo]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 5:34pm

How depressing.

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 5:36pm

I had a cousin who went to CCM for musical theater, and was one of 15 in her class. It seems that's the general size class they're looking for, as others that I know who graduated from CCM also were in classes that size. My cousin actually couldn't dance at all when she was accepted, but a friend of mine who graduated about ten years ago said that you have to be extremely talented to get in without being a triple threat.

[LaVieBoheme2]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 5:56pm

I have four friends that have graduated from CCM (two of which were musical theatre majors). They all said that it was very hard and intense, but I'm planning on auditioning too.
Elyse. No day but today.

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 6:37pm

I auditioned there last year.
They had us do choreography from their production of Lippa's Wild Party and you had to sing two contrasting songs 32 bars each along with two contrasting 1 minute monologues.
I'd highly suggest checking out their website, it says right there what songs and monologues NOT perform.
It was VERY intense but overall a fun audition. They even had a few students from their junior class perform individual numbers for us and they were FANTASTIC.
Also, after the audition, you are required to take a music theory test. It does not affect your status but is rather for placement if you are accepted. Updated On: 6/17/05 at 06:37 PM

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 7:23pm

Has anyone here graduated from their Set Design program. They have been interested in me going there for my graduate degree, and from what I see, all their productions have quite nice sets.

Akiva

[rKrispyt]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 7:25pm

A couple of my students are going there next year, I know a girl who's there now, and one of my friends is there for the grad director's program. I honestly don't hear much besides good things from them in terms of hte program.

I also have a friend who graduated...prolly around teh same time as Shosh and that generation who just talks about how incredibly cut-throat it is. I've heard that they're the kinda people who'll put the razor blades in your tap shoes (regarding that old metaphor) and are cut-throat competitive. Also that they have those evaluations and you can't fail two or you're out of the program and you do them after each semester I believe (might be every year). Her qualm wasn't so much that they do that, but that some people would give you feedback - say "I passed/failed you and here's why" so you can fix it or know how you're progressing and if yu're going in the right direction, etc. - but that majority of them would not and so you're just kinda stuck.

It seems however that by looking at their alumni they have an INSANE amount of people who are working - and not just in random dinner theatres - in new projects, all over Broadway, and many leading roles, it's pretty insane. Those people when interviewed seem to praise the professionalism they gained from the program, as well as the...what's the word I want? The backbone (that's not the word I want though ) and strength to help them deal with the rejection and let it slide instead of destroying their drive to keep going for it, y'know?

I'd look into it. You'll know, as with any school, whether or not it's for you. And if it's not, there are PLENTY more programs equally prestigious that are very different - one of them will be a perfect fit for you, don't fear.

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 7:43pm

While they have produced a few "individuals", there's a good reason I call "CCM" Cookie Cutter Machine.

[hannahshule]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 7:50pm

what does CCM stand for?

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 7:51pm

College-Conservatory of Music

[More Cowbell]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 8:44pm

A very good friend of mine be a rising junior there this year... she's AMAZINGLY talented and she says the place is full of people who live and breathe musical theatre. Also, in response to what WayWicked said, my friend is not that skinny (I'd say a little on the chubby side) and still got in.

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 8:59pm

How important is the dancing? Like, what if you're an amazing acotr and singer?

[Aigoo]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 9:23pm

They will most likely teach you, but if you have a good fundamental of ballet/tap/jazz, it'll improve your chances of getting in, I imagine.


CCM - College-Conservatory of Music at University of Cincinnati

http://www.ccm.uc.edu/

[hellacoolmichael]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 9:35pm

I'm actually auditioning for the Highschool Certificate program in a few months, for their prepatory department. I highly doubt it'll help me get into the school, but at least I'm getting trained from the people they know.

Good luck with your auditions! :) :) :)

[briarbrad]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 11:10pm

Mr. Tuttle...

It's kind of interesting that you say that - cookie cutter machine. It seems like CCM turns out more chorus members and less "leads." Of course, this is an extreme generalization that I admit to making, but from what I have learned, I believe that their grads might lack the acting training that you might get at a more acting-driven musical theatre program. What are your thoughts on that?

[amiliablair]

Posted: 6/18/05 at 1:28am

THANKS so much everone!! Another question: I am not a belter. I am a soprano with a voice that works well with rolse such as Emma in Jekyll ad Hyde or Eliza Dolittle. Will that be a problem at CCM?? I can belt to a point...but would definetely not be considered a big belter. I have a range, but can only belt to a B or C. Anyway, do they prefer belters??
Thanks again!
Updated On: 6/18/05 at 01:28 AM

[Aigoo]

Posted: 6/18/05 at 1:45am

I'm sure they aren't looking JUST for belters. Sopranos are a category, as well. But if you ARE mainly a soprano, why don't you look into Oklahoma's program, as they've produced quite a number of sopranists.