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

Doctor of Musical Arts Curriculum

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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 three-year degree requires completion of 60-72 credit hours, including core and concentration requirements. There is a two-year residency requirement. In the third year of the degree, 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) on https://app.getacceptd.com/jmu.
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work. Applicants must have earned a Master of Music degree or its equivalent before the semester of intended enrollment in the D.M.A. program.
• 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) for international students.
• A financial statement prior to application for international students.

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, 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.

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 either 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 vocal).
• create and deliver effective pedagogical instruction.
• analyze the standard solo, chamber and ensemble repertoire in the student’s area of specialization (instrumental or voice).

Conducting, Pedagogy and Literature:

• demonstrate application of musical and physical conducting skills through the performance of advanced repertoire in the student’s area of specialization (instrumental or vocal).
• demonstrate effective rehearsal techniques through the preparation of representative repertoire in the student’s area of specialization (instrumental or vocal).
• create and deliver effective pedagogical instruction.
• formulate advanced insights into the artistic and formal structure of music through score study in the student’s area of specialization.
• communicate effectively about music through writing and speaking.