Doctor of Musical Arts
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Doctor of Musical Arts degree (D.M.A., D.Mus.A. or A.Mus.D. ) is a doctoral academic degree in music. The D.M.A. combines advanced studies in an applied area of specialization (usually music performance, composition, or conducting) with graduate-level academic study in subjects such as music history, music theory, or music pedagogy. The D.M.A. degree, which takes about three years of full-time study to complete, prepares students to be professional performers, conductors, and composers. As a terminal degree, the D.M.A. enables its recipient to be competitive for university, college, and conservatory teaching and research positions.
Contents |
[edit] Types
The D.M.A. is widely available in performance (sometimes with a specialization in pedagogy and/or literature), composition, and conducting. In 2005, Boston University launched an online D.M.A. program (along with a Master of Music program) in music education, the only online program at this level[1]. Some universities awarding doctoral degrees in these areas use the title Doctor of Music (D.M. or D.Mus.) or Doctor of Arts (D.A.)[2] instead of D.M.A.
The D.M.A. in music education is less common. Doctorates in music education are more commonly awarded as a research-oriented Ph.D., with the Ed.D and the Doctor of Music Education (D.M.E.) being other options. The terminal degree in music theory, musicology, and ethnomusicology is typically the Ph.D..
[edit] Components
D.M.A. students typically complete applied studies, such as lessons or mentoring with a professor, and take courses within their area of specialization. In many D.M.A. programs, all of the different D.M.A. streams (e.g., performance, composition, conducting) take a common core of music theory and music history courses. Many D.M.A. programs require students to pass a comprehensive exam on their area of specialization and on subjects such as music history and music theory. The last stage of the D.M.A. degree is usually the completion of a thesis, dissertation, or research project and the performance of recitals, usually including at least one lecture-recital.
Some programs additionally require a sub-specialization in a cognate area within music, such as music history or performance practice, which contributes to their area of specialization. For example, a student doing a D.M.A. in Baroque violin might do a sub-specialization in Baroque music history.
Some institutions permit D.M.A. students to do a sub-specialization in a field outside music that contributes to their professional and academic goals. For example, a student completing a D.M.A. in piano pedagogy may be able to do a sub-specialization in the university's department of psychology (e.g., on the psychology of learning and memory); a student completing a D.M.A. in electronic composition may be permitted to do a sub-specialization in the department of computer engineering (e.g., in computer programming).
[edit] Admission requirements
To be admitted to a D.M.A. degree program, most institutions require a M.Mus. degree or an M.A. degree in music or a related field, usually with a grade average of "B+" or higher. In rare cases, some schools will conditionally admit a gifted student with a highly-respected B.Mus. degree (e.g., a virtuoso performer with a B.Mus. from the Juilliard School). D.M.A. programs in performance usually require an audition that includes advanced pieces from a wide range of styles. Admission to doctoral programs in conducting often require a video recording of a live rehearsals and performances as a pre-screening element. Composition programs usually require the submission of a portfolio of compositions, including scores and recordings of live performances.
Usually, admission is not granted until the applicant completes a series of tests in music history, theory, and sometimes ear-training; since admission into the program presupposes a thorough command of essential musical principles. Often, the knowledge of a second language - one of languages of major influence in music history (such as German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Russian) - is required to complete the degree. The graduate admissions branch of many US universities require applicants to complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), a standardized test of abstract thinking skills in the areas of math, vocabulary, and analytical writing. While the outcome of the GRE test may affect an applicant's eligibility for some university-wide scholarships, it does not usually affect admission to the music program of the university.
[edit] References
- ^ As of November 2006
- ^ The University of Mississippi - Department of Music
