Doctor of Musical Arts
Composition
MAJOR 27 SEMESTER HOURS
Required Courses: 12 Semester Hours
MUSI 8301 Composition and Portfolio Review (see #1 on following page)
MUSI 8302 Performances of Original Works and Contemporary Music Audience Development (see #2)
MUSI 8303 Composition Project (see #3)
MUSI 8304 Professional Development and Performance of Original Work (see #4)
Related Area Courses: 15 Semester Hours
MUSI 5341 Introduction to Technology for Musicians
MUSI 5342 Advanced Technology for Musicians
MUTH 5320 Special Topics in Music Theory
And 6 semester hours chosen* in Music Composition (except 5308 and 5309), Music History and Literature, or Music Theory (except 5300 and 5301)
OTHER COURSES IN MUSIC 9 SEMESTER HOURS
MUSI 7301 Music Bibliography and Research (required)
And 6 semester hours chosen* from Applied Music, Ensemble, General Music, or Music Education
FINE ARTS CORE 9 SEMESTER HOURS
9 Semester Hours Chosen from:
ART 5310, ART 5314, TH A 5310, TH A 5314, PHIL 5310, PHIL 5314
Chosen with permission of student’s committee and graduate advisor. One course from another area may be substituted.
TOTAL: 45 SEMESTER HOURS
*Based on results on the Placement Examinations in Music Theory and Music History, and on the advisement of the major professor.
DOCTORAL PERFORMANCE PROJECTS INFORMATION
d 1) MUSI 8301 Composition and Portfolio Review
The student and instructor review the student’s catalog of existing works, in consultation with other members of the composition, performance, and theory faculty. Attention will be given to the breadth of genres and media represented, mastery of orchestration and notational practice, issues of performance practicality, and the presence of both a personal aesthetic and distinctive compositional voice.
The required final written documents will include:
a) A 1000-1500 word formal statement of career goals, including a plan for artistic and professional development and a strategy for achieving the stated goals and accomplishing the desired levels of development.
b) Musical score(s) determined by the instructor to be necessary for portfolio development.
d 2) MUSI 8302 Performances of Original Works and Contemporary
Music Audience Development
In consultation with the instructor and with the approval of the student’s principal composition professor, the student will organize and present a recital, concert, or other appropriate public presentation of a complete program of original compositions in various media. The student will participate as performer and/or conductor. This presentation may or may not include new works completed as part of Doctoral Composition Project I.
The required final written document will include:
a) A 200-250 word strategy for publicizing the concert of original works and for dissemination information about contemporary music in general.
d 3) MUSI 8303 Composition
In consultation with the instructor, the student will compose a large-scale original work. There are no required final written documents.
d 4) MUSI 8304 Professional Development and Performance of
Original Work
If necessary, the student, in consultation with the instructor, will complete the major work begun in Doctoral Composition Project III OR
In consultation with the instructor, and with approval of the student’s principal composition professor, the student will organize and present a public performance of the original work.
The required final written document will include:
a) The musical score to the large-scale original work completed as part of the Final Doctoral Composition Project, along with a brief 1500-2000 word document discussing compositional and aesthetic elements of the work.
d A qualifying examination will be prepared and graded by the student’s advisory committee. The exam may contain questions from Music Theory, Music History and Literature, and the major area of the student. This exam must be taken and passed prior to beginning work on the final performance project.