DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS
The DMA degree is awarded for high attainments in the practice of music, with emphasis on the arts of performing and teaching. A candidate for this degree must be a capable artist who demonstrates intellectual attributes of high order.
The majors offered within the doctor of musical arts degree program are:
- Composition
- Conducting (choral, orchestral, or wind ensemble)
- Early Music, Emphasis in Historical Plucked Instruments
- Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media
- Music Education
- Performance and Literature (instrumental or vocal)
- Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music
Studies in composition and music education may be undertaken within the division of graduate professional studies (the DMA as described here) or within the division of graduate research studies (the PhD). The respective programs have differences in emphasis and course content. In terms of applying, the doctor of musical arts program requires an audition on an applied instrument or voice; the doctor of philosophy program does not require an audition for admission. Emphasis is on practical applied music in varying degrees in each of the DMA majors, and constitutes a distinctive feature of the division. Thus the composition and music education majors contain a strong performance component in the DMA degree program, and have a distinctly different emphasis in the PhD degree program.
Dual Degrees
Recognizing its unique resources that permit strong majors in a broad spectrum of fields of graduate study, qualified students at the Eastman School may pursue a combination DMA and PhD degree program. The DMA in performance and literature may be combined with a PhD program in theory or musicology. A combination of the performance major with the major in piano accompanying and chamber music also is possible, as is a combined DMA or PhD with an MA in theory pedagogy. Complete details on doctoral dual degree programs may be found at www.esm.rochester.edu/registrar. Interested applicants are also referred to the individual department chairs to discuss the feasibility of combining degree programs.
