Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Musical Arts, Performance, Pedagogy and Literature, D.M.A.


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The Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degree program is the most advanced course of study offered in the School of Music at James Madison University. The program has been designed to make graduates more marketable in higher education by emphasizing pedagogy and literature along with advanced performance or conducting skills. The program seeks candidates who have the potential to pursue the highest level of achievement in conducting/performance and teaching.

The degree requires completion of a minimum of ninety (90) credit hours, including 18 hours of applied instruction plus 6 elective credits; 22 hours of literature, analysis and topical seminars; 18 hours of recitals, documents and research methods; 6 hours of pedagogy; and 20 hours of area-specific courses.

During the degree program, exceptionally qualified students may earn up to 30 credit hours by examination and/or transfer. After completion of all course work and three recitals, D.M.A. students must pass comprehensive written and oral examinations.

Doctor of Musical Arts Admissions Requirements

  • The Graduate School Application, available online
  • D.M.A. Program Application (part of The Graduate School application)
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
  • Written statement of future goals (professional and educational)
  • Curriculum vitae (C.V.)
  • Three current letters of recommendation from professors, employers and other professionals qualified to judge the applicant’s ability to complete doctoral studies
  • A live audition (or a high-quality audio/video recording for conditional admission)
  • TOEFL of at least 550 (written test)
  • A financial statement prior to application

Additional Requirements for International Applicants

See the Office of International Programs website for other requirements and information for international students.

Assistantships

Financial Aid is administered by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships in the Student Success Center. The chief source of aid for graduate study is through assistantships awarded by the school. Teaching assistantships are awarded each year on a competitive basis. In keeping with the pedagogical nature of the D.M.A. degree at James Madison University, all doctoral assistantships will include a variety of supervised teaching experiences: assisting professors in classes and/or being responsible for teaching a class, teaching applied lessons (for performers) and conducting ensembles (for conductors). In addition to a stipend, assistantships include a tuition award. Approximately seven doctoral teaching assistantships per year will be offered on a competitive basis.

Class Fees

There is a once per semester fee for enrollment in MUAP 600  and MUAP 700 , applied lessons. See MyMadison for details.

Entrance Examinations

Prior to the first week of classes, all applicants must take JMU School of Music diagnostic examinations in music history, written theory and ear training. The results are used for placement and advising. Applicants for assistantships in areas related directly to these examinations may be required to take them before assistantships are granted.

Objectives

Students graduating from the D.M.A. program (with Concentrations in Performance, Pedagogy and Literature or Conducting, Pedagogy and Literature) will be able to:

Performance, Pedagogy and Literature:

  • demonstrate application of musical and technical mastery through the performance of advanced repertoire in the student’s area of specialization (instrumental or voice).
  • create and deliver effective pedagogical instruction.
  • analyze the standard solo, chamber and ensemble repertoire in the student’s area of specialization (instrumental or voice).
  • communicate effectively about music through a) writing and b) speaking.

Doctor of Musical Arts Curriculum


Total: 70 Credit Hours


Additional Information


Additional requirements, such as qualifying exams, will be in the Graduate Handbook of the School of Music.

Concentrations


Concentrations require an additional 20 hours of course work.

Brass Area


Requirements

Total: 20 Credit Hours

Conducting Area


Percussion Area


Footnote

1 Must be taken the same semester as MUS 704P .

Total: 20 Credit Hours

Piano Area


String Area


Vocal Area


Requirements

Total: 20 Credit Hours

Additional Information

Students will be required to show competency in three languages in addition to English: French, Italian and German. Transcripts of previous college study must show a minimum of four semesters of two of the languages and two semesters of the third language, or credit through the intermediate level in two of the languages and through the beginning level of the third language. In some cases where languages have been learned through means other than traditional college classes, competency equivalents can be shown by taking the JMU Foreign Language Placement tests for French, German and Italian and placing at the 300-level for two of the languages and at the 231-level for the third. If neither option applies, the languages must be taken at JMU as a remedial requirement.

Optional Singing Health Emphasis

(in addition to the Performance Requirements for Vocal)

Minimum Requirements

Total: 22 Credit Hours

Undergraduate Prerequisites

This emphasis requires three undergraduate courses as prerequisites.

  • CSD 208. Anatomy and Physiology of the Ear and Voice Mechanism 3 Credit Hours
  • CSD 209. Acoustics of Hearing and Speech 3 Credit Hours
  • KIN 202. Biological Foundations of Kinesiology 3 Credit Hours
Comprehensive Final Examination

Each student in the Singing Health Emphasis must successfully pass a written and oral practical examination administered by the Singing Health Specialist Coordinating Committee. This final examination is in addition to the comprehensive examination for the D.M.A. in Vocal Performance.

Woodwind Area: Performance on a Solo Instrument Track


Requirements


Total: 20 Credit Hours


Woodwind Area: Multiple Woodwind Track


Requirements


Footnote

1 This track requires 16 credits of the applied instruction in the core requirements to be on a primary instrument and 8 credits on a secondary instrument. Eight additional credits will be used in the 20 credit hours for a third instrument. It also requires two of the required recitals in the core to be on the primary instrument and the third recital to be divided between the second and third instruments (50% each).

Total: 20 Credit Hours


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