A new CCM Trio

Here's some reader feedback about the CCM story that ran on Sunday.

John Perin, who has had a weekly sports show on WOBO in Clermont County for more than 25 years, writes:

"Thank you for the article - and particularly the sidebar to that article - on the Electronic Media Division's proposed effort to move away from the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.

"I was in the Radio-TV Department (the forerunner of Electronic Media) at CCM in the mid-1960's and saw the total disregard CCM officials had for my area of study and the failure of those who could have done something about it to correct it. In approximately the 1965-66 school year, there were students in my department who openly supported moving to the Arts & Sciences College. I applaud Professor Wolfram for voicing his feelings and for taking actions to move to a more appropriate venue.

"Even now - more than 40 years later - literature from CCM to alumni has little if any mention of the Electronic Media Department. This continues to be a slap in the face to those of us who endured the same inadequate support years ago."

CCM professor emeritus Eiji Hashimoto wrote a beautiful essay extolling the virtues of the program in Lucca, to be elminated in 2009 due to a budget crunch: "As the music director of this program for the initial three years (1996-8), I know that those students who participated had a valuable and unforgettable experience and that their youthful and enthusiastic performances inspired the citizens in this beautiful Tuscan city and generated warm friendship in both directions...."

He also expressed dismay that his position was never filled after he retired six years ago. He taught harpsichord and led the Ensemble for Eighteenth Century Music, but he also taught important classes in how to perform Baroque music in the correct style and using the appropriate ornaments. That link to authentic performance practice is now gone for CCM students.

Also, you'll want to check out this interesting comment from orchestra management guru Drew McManus on his Adaptistration Blog.