New CIM Class Sets High Bar with Most Diverse in School History

When 130 of the most talented classical music students in the world arrive at the Cleveland Institute of Music on August 28, 2017 - competition laureates and performance veterans from esteemed ensembles as the La Scala Opera, the Interlochen Arts Academy and the New World Symphony among them - a profound milestone will also be surpassed: students of color will represent an historic 10 percent of the incoming class.

"This is an unprecedented achievement for CIM," said Paul W. Hogle, President and CEO. "We are doubling the diversity currently filling practice rooms, studios and concert halls on campus. This achievement matches our vision: to be the future of classical music."

For nearly 100 years, the cycle of departing and incoming CIM students has repeated itself: a reliable succession of cadences resounding in a continuous loop. Indeed, while the final chords of Widor's Toccata receded at last weekend's Commencement, and the Class of 2017 marched out of Kulas Hall and into its collective future, many at CIM were already hard at work preparing to welcome a new class of student artists and begin the cycle anew.

"In our elite world, competition for matriculating students can take on the elements of Division I athletic recruiting," said Mr. Hogle. "I am pleased to report that there are a great number of 'five-star recruits' in this incoming class."

Here are some highlights from the accomplishments of the profoundly talented and diverse incoming class:

- Medalists, semifinalists and quarterfinalists in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition are represented, as are finalists of such international contests as the Queen Elisabeth and the Panama International Piano competitions. One singer captured first prize in the high school division of the Classical Singer International Vocal Competition

- In addition to being a musically gifted group (From the Top performers among them), they are also bright and intellectually curious, and include a National YoungArts Foundation Merit Scholar

- Incoming Undergraduates have participated in some of the country's finest youth orchestras, including the Cleveland, Chicago, Greater Dallas and San Francisco Symphony youth orchestras

- The Graduate class includes performance veterans from La Scala Opera Orchestra, the New World Symphony, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Akron and the Canton Symphony Orchestras, and many other large ensembles throughout the U.S. and around the world

- As one would expect, alumni of premier music festivals - Aspen, Brevard, Roundtop, Tanglewood, the Eastern Music Festival, the Luzerne Chamber Music Festival, the Heifetz International Music Institute, the Bowdoin International Music Festival, the Banff Centre and the Meadowmount School of Music, to name a few - are represented

The newest members of the CIM community are leaving homes in Asia, North America, Western and Eastern Europe, and Israel to study, practice and perform at CIM - a geographic diversity that represents an international population of 25 percent from 12 different countries. Domestically, 27 states are represented. Ten percent of the class hails from Ohio.

Other compelling accomplishments include:

- 10 of the 61 undergraduates graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy

- 13% of the incoming class are CIM graduates returning for a graduate degree

- 100% of students who applied for financial aid, received it

- 14% of the class are first-generation college students

"I am eager to welcome this vibrant group to their new home in Cleveland, in the heart of University Circle," said Mr. Hogle. "Seeing - and hearing - the ways in which they will enrich our lives is going to be a privilege and an honor. And I am delighted that they have accepted our invitation to fulfill their dreams and potential at CIM, and to become part of this incredibly special place."

The Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) is an independent music conservatory known for superior orchestral, chamber music, composition, opera and voice programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Our world-renowned faculty, which include members of The Cleveland Orchestra, are eminent educators and practicing musicians who perform nationally and internationally. CIM provides rigorous training in a Young Artist Program for gifted pre-college musicians in addition to broad offerings to music students of all ages through our Preparatory and Continuing Education division. Annually, CIM students, faculty, alumni and guest artists present more than 400 music events for the Greater Cleveland community, many are free of charge. In 2020, CIM will celebrate its centennial. Visit cim.edu to learn more.