Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Performance: Organ and Church Music (choral, composition, or organ)
Doctor of Musical Arts
The Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree is a professional degree program that recognizes exceptional student academic and music qualifications in preparation for professional careers, including teaching at the university level. The DMA student has the opportunity to collaborate with music scholars, theorists, and other performers to attain a broad and well-rounded foundation for advanced careers in music. The degree of Doctor of Musical Arts is offered in
- Church music (organ or choral conducting emphasis),
- Composition,
- Conducting (choral, orchestral, or wind), and
- Areas of performance.
D.M.A. Admission
The applicant is expected to have a master’s degree, or its demonstrated equivalent, in the proposed field. In addition to official transcripts and letters of recommendation, all applicants should submit résumés of their training and experience in teaching and performing.
For general information on academic requirements, residence, tenure, and enrollment, see the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog. Further admission requirements are listed below.
Performance
The applicant must be prepared to perform the equivalent of a full master’s recital as deemed appropriate by the major performance division. The audition is heard by at least two members of the major division Graduate Faculty. The applicant should consult the major performance division for specific memory and repertoire requirements. The applicant also should submit with the application a comprehensive repertoire list indicating work studied, memorized, performed in public, or ready for immediate performance. In the case of international students, acceptance may be achieved by submitting a video tape (DVD) to be reviewed by the Graduate Faculty in the major division. A pre-screening audition is required for voice and piano applicants. View School of Music audition requirements and procedures.
Graduate Admission to the School of Music
Application procedures and program requirements can change. Please visit the School of Music Admissions webpage for current information.
Graduate programs in the School of Music are open to students with acceptable baccalaureate degrees, as specified by the admitting areas, whose academic records indicate that they can do successful work at the graduate level. Regular admission requires a bachelor's degree and a grade-point average of at least a B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale), from KU or from another regionally accredited institution or foreign university with substantially equivalent bachelor's degree requirements.
Programs of study leading to the Master of Music (M.M.), Master of Music Education (M.M.E.), Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) are offered through the School of Music. Specific admission procedures and degree requirements for the M.M. and M.M.E. programs are described under division headings. Specific admission procedures and degree requirements for the D.M.A., Ph.D. (musicology/music theory), and Ph.D. (music education/music therapy) are listed in the appropriate sections.
Program Areas
Graduate study in the School of Music is organized into program areas within 2 departments:
- Music includes programs in composition, conducting, musicology, music theory, and areas of performance.
- Music Education and Music Therapy (MEMT) includes programs in music education or music therapy.
At least a 3.0 grade-point average, overall and in the major area, is required for all coursework counted toward any graduate degree in the School of Music. If the overall grade-point average falls below 3.0, the student is placed on probation for one semester; if the cumulative average is not 3.0 or higher after the next semester, the student is dismissed from the program. Students must also achieve at least a grade of B or better in thesis, lecture-recital, document or dissertation, and on each recital for satisfactory completion of degree requirements.
D.M.A. Degree Requirements
Research Skills and Engagement
Before scheduling the oral comprehensive exam, doctoral students must satisfy the residency, basic research skills, and responsible scholarship requirements. MUSC 801: Music Bibliography and Research (or its equivalent as determined by the Musicology division) will satisfy the research skills and responsible scholarship requirements.
Prior to the semester in which the comprehensive exam is held, all doctoral students must complete a minimum program engagement equivalent to two full-time semesters. This may be accomplished through either of the following:
- Two semesters (fall and/or spring) of full-time enrollment in KU coursework, as defined by University policy
- At least 18 hours of enrollment in KU coursework spread out over several part-time semesters
Summer enrollment is not required to maintain registration but summer enrollments may be counted toward the 18 part-time pre-comprehensive hours. The time spent in attaining the master’s degree at KU may also count toward this enrollment requirement, at the program’s discretion.
During the required enrollment outlined above, the student’s supervisor must affirm that the course work and research involvement contribute to the student’s dissertation or academically equivalent program objectives. Research must be performed under the direct supervision of the major adviser if on campus, or with adequate liaison if off campus.
Diagnostic Exams
All incoming graduate students, except MM-Opera, are required to take diagnostic exams in Musicology and Music Theory. The exams are given during the week before the Fall and Spring semesters begin. Diagnostic deficiencies can only be satisfied in one of two ways: 1) re-taking the exam the next time it is given (one re-take only) or 2) enrolling in the appropriate review course and receiving at least a grade of "C." The student must satisfy all diagnostic deficiencies by the end of the third semester of enrollment.
Language Requirement
All organ and church music doctoral students must demonstrate competence in one foreign language. Approved languages include French and German for organ majors and French, German, or Latin for Church Music majors. Students may petition the organ faculty for approval of a language other than those stated.
Advisory Committee
Each doctoral student must form a Graduate Advisory Committee. The committee consists of 5 faculty members: at least 2 faculty members from the major division, 1 from Musicology or Music Theory (at least 1 from Musicology for D.M.A. composition), and 1 from outside the MUSIC department. This committee administers the comprehensive and final oral examinations. Performance members of the advisory committee grade the required degree recitals.
Program of Study
A Program of Study approved by the major advisor must be submitted for the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs by the end of the second term of admission. Student who do not submit a Program of Study by the end of the second semester shall not be permitted to enroll in third semester courses.
Recitals
All students in performance and conducting must perform a total of 3 public recitals. This does not include the D.M.A. lecture-recital if the student selects a lecture-recital as a final project. At least two of the three degree recitals must be performed before the oral comprehensive examination.
The first of the three doctoral recitals is considered to be a qualifying recital for determining whether the student can remain in the doctoral program. It must be given within the first two semesters of enrollment unless a petition is submitted for an extension.
Church Music with Choral Conducting emphasis must present 2 choral recitals and 1 organ or voice recital. Church Music with Organ emphasis must present 2 organ recitals and 1 choral recital.
Qualifying and Oral Comprehensive Examinations
Performance D.M.A. students must complete Doctoral Qualifying Examinations in Music History, Music Theory, and the major area. Organ and Church Music DMA students have two options for the music theory qualifying exam: either the Theory Written Qualifying Exam or a Keyboard Improvisation exam. After successful completion of the qualifying examinations and the residency and research skills requirements, the student is eligible to schedule the oral comprehensive examination administered by the student's graduate advisory committee. Majors in performance and conducting must have presented 2 of the 3 required recitals before taking the oral examinations.
Document or Lecture-Recital
Candidates in performance, conducting, and composition must submit to the graduate advisory committee a proposal for a D.M.A. lecture-recital document, or a longer D.M.A. document only, at the Oral Comprehensive Exam or at least 12 weeks prior to the scheduled defense. Guidelines for proposals can be found on the School of Music website.
Upon satisfactory completion of all other degree requirements, candidates must schedule a final oral examination (defense). The student must receive at least a grade of B on the document, lecture-recital, or composition for satisfactory completion of degree requirements.
Examinations
At least 1 month must elapse between the successful completion of the comprehensive oral examination and the date of the final oral examination/defense for candidates for the D.M.A. degree.
Cognate
Each D.M.A. student (not including Composition) may choose a defined cognate area of 12 credits with the approval of the student's advisory committee. Hours taken to fulfill the Musicology, Music Theory and elective requirements may be used to meet the optional 12 credit Cognate.
Church Music (Choral Conducting Emphasis) Program
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| Advanced courses in musicology and music theory* | 12 | |
| Advanced choral conducting | 15 | |
| CHUR 811 | Church Music in Context I: The Worship, Aesthetics, Arts, & Music of the Judeo-Christian Tradition | 3 |
| CHUR 812 | Church Music in Context II: The Worship, Aesthetics, Arts, & Music of the Judeo-Christian Tradition | 3 |
| CHOR 828 | Science-based Voice Education | 3 |
| CHUR 722 | Bales Chorale (6 hours recommended) | 4 |
| CHOR 742 | Chamber Choir | 4 |
| Advanced courses in secondary applied area (organ or voice) | 6 | |
| COND 965 | Doctoral Recitals ( 2 choral recitals, 1 organ or voice recital) | 3 |
| D.M.A. document or lecture-recital (COND 970/972) | 4 | |
* Credits may be used to fulfill the 12 optional Cognate credits.
- D.M.A. church music majors (choral conducting emphasis) who have not studied voice for a minimum of 2 semesters before entering this program must enroll in voice for 2 semesters.
Church Music (Composition Emphasis) Program
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| Advanced courses in music history and music theory* | 12 | |
| MTHC 953 | Advanced Composition | 15 |
| CHUR 722 | Bales Chorale | 2 |
| CHUR 811 | Church Music in Context I: The Worship, Aesthetics, Arts, & Music of the Judeo-Christian Tradition | 3 |
| CHUR 812 | Church Music in Context II: The Worship, Aesthetics, Arts, & Music of the Judeo-Christian Tradition | 3 |
| COND 711 | Choral Conducting I | 3 |
| MTHC 965 | Doctoral Composition Recital | 2 |
| MTHC 999 | Dissertation | 13 |
| D.M.A. document or lecture-recital | 4 | |
* Credits may be used to fulfill the 12 optional Cognate credits.
Organ Program
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| Advanced courses in musicology and music theory* | 12 | |
| ORGN 961 | Directed Performance | 18 |
| Advanced academic courses in Organ | 12 | |
| CHUR 806 | Service Playing and Improvisation I | 3 |
| CHUR 807 | Service Playing and Improvisation II | 3 |
| CHUR 622 | Bales Chorale (Minimum of 2 semesters - 4 recommended) | 2 |
| Recitals (2 organ recitals, 1 choral recital) | ||
| ORGN 965 | Doctoral Recitals | 3 |
| D.M.A. document or lecture-recital (ORGN 970/972) | 4 | |
* Credits may be used to fulfill the 12 optional Cognate credits.
Church Music (Organ Emphasis) Program
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| Advanced courses in musicology and music theory* | 12 | |
| ORGN 961 | Directed Performance | 18 |
| CHUR 806 | Service Playing and Improvisation I | 3 |
| CHUR 807 | Service Playing and Improvisation II | 3 |
| CHUR 811 | Church Music in Context I: The Worship, Aesthetics, Arts, & Music of the Judeo-Christian Tradition | 3 |
| CHUR 812 | Church Music in Context II: The Worship, Aesthetics, Arts, & Music of the Judeo-Christian Tradition | 3 |
| Advanced courses in Choral Conducting | 6 | |
| CHUR 622 | Bales Chorale (Minimum of 2 semesters - 4 semesters recommended) | 2-4 |
| ORGN 965 | Doctoral Recitals (3 organ recitals, 1 credit each) | 3 |
| D.M.A. document or lecture-recital (ORGN 970/972) | 4 | |
*Credits may be used to fulfill the 12 optional Cognate credits.