Program Overview

Music, DMA

The School of Music offers the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in conducting (wind, choral, and orchestral), composition, and performance.

Admission Requirements

• The Master of Music (MM) degree is required from The University of Alabama or the equivalent from another accredited institution. The MM equivalent must include recitals and/or major creative work, as appropriate.
• In the performance areas, an audition at the MM level that includes at least 20-25 minutes of performance time is required. It must include representative works drawn from a variety of historical periods.
• In composition, scores and recordings of original works, together with evidence of public performances, must be submitted.
• Diagnostic entrance examinations are required in musicianship, music theory, and writing skills; vocal performance majors also take diagnostic examinations in IPA transcription and song text translation in German, Italian, French, and, where appropriate, Latin and English.
• All theory and history deficiencies revealed in these examinations must be removed by the end of the first fall semester after matriculation. All deficiencies in diction revealed in these exams must be removed by the end of the first spring semester after matriculation.
• A schedule of remediation will be determined by appropriate faculty and the director of graduate studies (DGS) in music and may include enrollment in MUS 595 Graduate Theory Review, MUS 591 Readings in Music History, or MUS 510 Advanced Arranging, and for vocal performance majors MUS 532 Graduate Diction Review.
• Students may not earn graduate credit in theory or history until all deficiencies in the respective areas have been removed.

Curricular Requirements

For the DMA Degree

• Course distribution (hours required beyond the MM degree):
  • Major area: 20-25 hours, including document (see below for description)
  • Theory/music history: 18 hours (minimum of 9 in each area)
  • Pedagogy: 3-6 hours
  • Electives: 5-7 hours

DMA in Composition

• MUS 619 or MUS 620 (Four Semesters): 16 hours
• One 500/600-level Music History Pre-1750 topic selected from:
  • MUS 527: Studies In Special Lit
  • MUS 534: Renaissance Proseminar
  • MUS 535: Baroque Proseminar
  • MUS 559: Spec Topics Musicology
  • MUS 622: Sem Medieval Renaiss Mus
• One 500/600-level Music History post-1750 topic selected from:
  • MUS 527: Studies In Special Lit
  • MUS 550: Prosem Music Classic Era
  • MUS 553: Prosem Music Romantic Pd
  • MUS 558: Prosem Music 20th Centry
  • MUS 559: Spec Topics Musicology
  • MUS 625: Seminar Romantic Music
  • MUS 626: Sem Twentieth Cent Music
• One 500/600-level Music History selected from:
  • MUS 527: Studies In Special Lit
  • MUS 534: Renaissance Proseminar
  • MUS 535: Baroque Proseminar
  • MUS 550: Prosem Music Classic Era
  • MUS 553: Prosem Music Romantic Pd
  • MUS 558: Prosem Music 20th Centry
  • MUS 559: Spec Topics Musicology
  • MUS 622: Sem Medieval Renaiss Mus
  • MUS 625: Seminar Romantic Music
  • MUS 626: Sem Twentieth Cent Music
• Three 500-level Theory courses selected from:
  • MUS 503: 18th-Century Counterpoint II
  • MUS 504: Analysis of Tonal Music
  • MUS 516: Special Topics in Music Theory
  • MUS 537: Analysis of 20th-Century Music
• 500- and/or 600-level Electives (Music or non-music): 10 hours
  • 3 of 10 hours must be chosen from one of the following: MUS 503, MUS 512, MUS 514, MUS 517, MUS 518, MUS 525, or MUS 528
• MUS 699: Document Research: 4 hours
• Other requirements:
  • The equivalent of one public recital of works composed and performed during work toward the DMA at UA
  • One, 50-minute, public lecture
• Total Hours: 48

DMA in Choral Conducting

• MUS 692: Adv Choral Conducting (Three Semesters): 9 hours
• MUS 594: Adv Instrumental Conduct: 3 hours
• MUS 651: Choral Conduct Pedagogy: 3 hours
• MUS 674: Topics Choral Literature (two semesters): 4 hours
• One 500/600-level Music History Pre-1750 topic selected from:
  • MUS 527: Studies In Special Lit
  • MUS 534: Renaissance Proseminar
  • MUS 535: Baroque Proseminar
  • MUS 559: Spec Topics Musicology
  • MUS 622: Sem Medieval Renaiss Mus
• One 500/600-level Music History post-1750 topic selected from:
  • MUS 527: Studies In Special Lit
  • MUS 550: Prosem Music Classic Era
  • MUS 553: Prosem Music Romantic Pd
  • MUS 558: Prosem Music 20th Centry
  • MUS 559: Spec Topics Musicology
  • MUS 625: Seminar Romantic Music
  • MUS 626: Sem Twentieth Cent Music
• One 500/600-level Music History selected from:
  • MUS 527: Studies In Special Lit
  • MUS 534: Renaissance Proseminar
  • MUS 535: Baroque Proseminar
  • MUS 550: Prosem Music Classic Era
  • MUS 553: Prosem Music Romantic Pd
  • MUS 558: Prosem Music 20th Centry
  • MUS 559: Spec Topics Musicology
  • MUS 622: Sem Medieval Renaiss Mus
  • MUS 625: Seminar Romantic Music
  • MUS 626: Sem Twentieth Cent Music
• Three 500-level Theory courses selected from:
  • MUS 503: 18th-Century Counterpoint II
  • MUS 504: Analysis of Tonal Music
  • MUS 516: Special Topics in Music Theory
  • MUS 537: Analysis of 20th-Century Music
• 500- and/or 600-level Electives (Music or non-music): 9 hours
• MUS 699: Document Research (DMA Final Project): 4 hours
• Other requirements:
  • Two, public recitals
  • One, 60-minute, lecture-recital
• Total Hours: 50

DMA in Wind Conducting

• MUS 694: Adv Wind Conducting (3 Semesters): 9 hours
• MUA 552: Wind Ensemble (2 semesters): 2 hours
• MUS 568: Sem Wind Lit-Chambr Form: 2 hours
• MUS 563: Projects In Wind Music: 3 hours
• MUS 592: Adv Choral Conducting: 3 hours
• MUS 650: Wind Conduct Pedagogy: 3 hours
• MUS 669 or MUS 568: Sem in Wind Lit - Large: 2 hours
• One 500/600-level Music History Pre-1750 topic selected from:
  • MUS 527: Studies In Special Lit
  • MUS 534: Renaissance Proseminar
  • MUS 535: Baroque Proseminar
  • MUS 559: Spec Topics Musicology
  • MUS 622: Sem Medieval Renaiss Mus
• One 500/600-level Music History post-1750 topic selected from:
  • MUS 527: Studies In Special Lit
  • MUS 550: Prosem Music Classic Era
  • MUS 553: Prosem Music Romantic Pd
  • MUS 558: Prosem Music 20th Centry
  • MUS 559: Spec Topics Musicology
  • MUS 625: Seminar Romantic Music
  • MUS 626: Sem Twentieth Cent Music
• One 500/600-level Music History selected from:
  • MUS 527: Studies In Special Lit
  • MUS 534: Renaissance Proseminar
  • MUS 535: Baroque Proseminar
  • MUS 550: Prosem Music Classic Era
  • MUS 553: Prosem Music Romantic Pd
  • MUS 558: Prosem Music 20th Centry
  • MUS 559: Spec Topics Musicology
  • MUS 622: Sem Medieval Renaiss Mus
  • MUS 625: Seminar Romantic Music
  • MUS 626: Sem Twentieth Cent Music
• Three 500-level Theory courses selected from:
  • MUS 503: 18th-Century Counterpoint II
  • MUS 504: Analysis of Tonal Music
  • MUS 516: Special Topics in Music Theory
  • MUS 537: Analysis of 20th-Century Music
• 500- and/or 600-level Electives (Music or non-music): 7 hours
• MUS 699: Document Research: 4 hours
• Other requirements:
  • Two, public recitals
  • One 60-minute, lecture-recital
• Total Hours: 53

DMA in Instrumental Performance

• 600-level Applied Music (4 semesters): 16 hours
• 500- or 600-level Pedagogy Appropriate to Major: 3 hours
  • MUS 552: Directed Studies Piano
  • MUS 643: Brass Wdwind Strg Pedagy
• One 500/600-level Music History Pre-1750 topic selected from:
  • MUS 527: Studies In Special Lit
  • MUS 534: Renaissance Proseminar
  • MUS 535: Baroque Proseminar
  • MUS 559: Spec Topics Musicology
  • MUS 622: Sem Medieval Renaiss Mus
• One 500/600-level Music History post-1750 topic selected from:
  • MUS 527: Studies In Special Lit
  • MUS 550: Prosem Music Classic Era
  • MUS 553: Prosem Music Romantic Pd
  • MUS 558: Prosem Music 20th Centry
  • MUS 559: Spec Topics Musicology
  • MUS 625: Seminar Romantic Music
  • MUS 626: Sem Twentieth Cent Music
• One 500/600-level Music History selected from:
  • MUS 527: Studies In Special Lit
  • MUS 534: Renaissance Proseminar
  • MUS 535: Baroque Proseminar
  • MUS 550: Prosem Music Classic Era
  • MUS 553: Prosem Music Romantic Pd
  • MUS 558: Prosem Music 20th Centry
  • MUS 559: Spec Topics Musicology
  • MUS 622: Sem Medieval Renaiss Mus
  • MUS 625: Seminar Romantic Music
  • MUS 626: Sem Twentieth Cent Music
• Three 500-level Theory courses selected from:
  • MUS 503: 18th-Century Counterpoint II
  • MUS 504: Analysis of Tonal Music
  • MUS 516: Special Topics in Music Theory
  • MUS 537: Analysis of 20th-Century Music
• 500-level Ensemble (2 semesters): 2 hours
• 500- and/or 600-level Electives (Music or non-music): 5 hours
• MUS 699: Document Research: 4 hours
• Other requirements:
  • Three, public recitals
  • One, 50-minute, public lecture or lecture-recital
• Total Hours: 48

DMA in Vocal Performance

• MUA 674: Voice (4 semesters): 16 hours
• MUS 642: Vocal Pedagogy: 3 hours
• One 500/600-level Music History Pre-1750 topic selected from:
  • MUS 527: Studies In Special Lit
  • MUS 534: Renaissance Proseminar
  • MUS 535: Baroque Proseminar
  • MUS 559: Spec Topics Musicology
  • MUS 622: Sem Medieval Renaiss Mus
• One 500/600-level Music History post-1750 topic selected from:
  • MUS 527: Studies In Special Lit
  • MUS 550: Prosem Music Classic Era
  • MUS 553: Prosem Music Romantic Pd
  • MUS 558: Prosem Music 20th Centry
  • MUS 559: Spec Topics Musicology
  • MUS 625: Seminar Romantic Music
  • MUS 626: Sem Twentieth Cent Music
• One 500/600-level Music History selected from:
  • MUS 527: Studies In Special Lit
  • MUS 534: Renaissance Proseminar
  • MUS 535: Baroque Proseminar
  • MUS 550: Prosem Music Classic Era
  • MUS 553: Prosem Music Romantic Pd
  • MUS 558: Prosem Music 20th Centry
  • MUS 559: Spec Topics Musicology
  • MUS 622: Sem Medieval Renaiss Mus
  • MUS 625: Seminar Romantic Music
  • MUS 626: Sem Twentieth Cent Music
• Three 500-level Theory courses selected from:
  • MUS 503: 18th-Century Counterpoint II
  • MUS 504: Analysis of Tonal Music
  • MUS 516: Special Topics in Music Theory
  • MUS 537: Analysis of 20th-Century Music
• 500-level Ensemble (2 semesters): 2 hours
  • MUA 560: Opera Workshop
  • MUA 561: Opera Production
  • MUA 563: University Singers
• 500- and/or 600-level Electives (Music or non-music): 3 hours
  • MUS 574 or MUS 652: Graduate Vocal Literature I: 2 hours
• MUS 699: Document Research: 4 hours
• Other requirements:
  • Three, public recitals
  • One, 50-minute, public lecture or lecture-recital
• Total Hours: 48

Recital Requirements

• In performance, a minimum of three recitals are required.
• In conducting, there is a requirement for a minimum of three concerts, one of which must be a lecture-recital.
• In composition, the requirement includes a full recital, or equivalent in length, of music written at the DMA level, exclusive of work done on the document.

Advisory Committee

• A committee shall be appointed to supervise the student's program and progress toward the degree.
• The constitution of the committee is described in the Graduate Handbook of the School of Music.

Written Comprehensive Examinations

• All students must pass written comprehensive examinations in the major area.
• No student may attempt the written comprehensive examination sooner than the first Fall or Spring semester after successful completion of all required MUS courses.
• A description of the written comprehensive examinations is included in the Graduate Handbook of the School of Music.

Document

• In performance, choral conducting, and wind conducting, a final project that includes a research and writing component is required.
• The subject, content, and length of the project must be approved by the student’s advisory committee.
• The School of Music offers options for the format of the final project; these are described in detail in the School of Music's Graduate Handbook under "DMA Curriculum Outlines."
• In composition, there must be a large original work in an unspecified medium, in addition to and distinct from any work done for degree credit in the DMA program.
• Every project is subject to approval by the student's advisory committee.
• Work is supervised by the major teacher and the student’s advisory committee.

Public Lecture

• In performance and composition, there is a required 50-minute lecture demonstrating the candidate's ability to communicate about the area of specialization.

Language Requirement

• There is no specific language requirement for the DMA.
• Depending on the student's academic program, the advisory committee may require proficiency in a foreign language.

Residency Requirement

• A minimum of two consecutive, full-time academic semesters must be spent in residence at the University; one may consist of a full summer, if approved by the advisory committee.
• A minimum of 18 semester hours must be earned in residence.
• Only degree credit may be counted toward the 18 hours.

Transfer Credit

• Courses of full graduate-level credit earned in a regionally accredited institution where a student was enrolled in the graduate school may be submitted for review for inclusion in a doctoral degree program.
• Evaluation of credit for transfer will not be made until after the student has enrolled in the Graduate School of The University of Alabama.
• Acceptance of credit requires the approval of the student’s advisory committee and the dean of the Graduate School.
• Only courses in which a student earned a "B" grade or better may be transferred.
• Document Research (699) may not be transferred in from an outside institution.

Doctoral Plan of Study Requirement

• See the Graduate School Policy on the Doctoral plan of study.

Comprehensive Exams

• All students must pass written comprehensive examinations in the major area.
• No student may attempt the written comprehensive examination sooner than the first Fall or Spring semester after successful completion of all required MUS courses.
• A description of the written comprehensive examinations is included in the SOM Graduate Handbook.

Admission to Candidacy Requirements

• DMA students may be admitted to degree candidacy after passing the written comprehensive examination and obtaining advisory committee approval of a final project prospectus.
• The advisory committee will sign the Admission to Candidacy form when both conditions have been met.

Continuous Enrollment Policy

• Graduate School information on Continuous Enrollment Policy.

DMA Final Project Requirements and Procedures

The Advisory Committee

• The Director of the School of Music (SOM) with advice from the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) appoints the SOM advisory committees for all DMA students in the first semester of enrollment.
• The student is provided, via email, a copy of the Committee Appointment Memo signed by the Director of the School of Music.
• The student should “invite” the faculty to serve on their committee via the committee formation interface.
• The external member of the DMA committee will be appointed after preliminary approval of the thesis or final project prospectus.
• The advisory committee for all DMA students will consist of at least six members, five drawn from the graduate faculty of the SOM and an external member who must hold appropriate graduate faculty status in another discipline.
• The membership must include:
  1. the student's major professor (usually serving as chair)
  2. one other faculty member from the student's major area or, when appropriate, from a related area
  3. one member of either the Theory/Composition or the Musicology faculty
  4. one member of the graduate faculty of the SOM drawn from outside the student’s major area
  5. an additional member of the graduate faculty of the School of Music from any area
  6. an external member who holds UA graduate faculty status in an area other than SOM

Final Project Prospectus

1. Prospectus Preparation

• Through research and consultation with the major professor, other committee members, and other appropriate persons, the student selects a final project and writes a formal prospectus.
• The prospectus details the scope of the project and its significance, the components required, working methods, and other supporting information.
• A brief narrative, an outline, and a working bibliography are required.

2. Prospectus Submission

• The prospectus may be submitted after the student earns 12 DMA credit hours (excluding remediation).
• With the major professor’s approval, the student submits the prospectus to the DGS, who reviews the format and submits the prospectus to the advisory committee.

3. Prospectus Approval

• The DGS polls the committee and, if all agree, schedules a prospectus defense.
• Approval by the advisory committee is required for work to proceed.

DMA Final Project First Draft

1. First Draft Preparation

• After successful defense of the prospectus, the student completes a draft of the written component and a progress report on other parts of the project (recording, recitals), with supporting evidence.
• The written component must conform to Graduate School regulations for electronic theses and dissertations and to a style guide approved by the Graduate School.

2. First Draft Submission

• With the approval of the document advisor, the student sends the first draft to the DGS, who reviews the format and submits the draft to the advisory committee.

3. First Draft Approval

• The DGS polls the committee and, if all agree, schedules a first-draft meeting.
• The first draft components are evaluated.
• Corrections and suggestions must be incorporated into the final version of the project.

DMA Final Project Final Draft

1. Final Project: Submission

• After completion of all components, and with the major professor's approval, the student sends all components of the project to the DGS, who reviews the format and submits to the advisory committee.

2. Final Project Defense

• With the advisory committee’s approval, and if all other requirements for the degree have been completed successfully, the DGS convenes the committee for the project defense.

3. Grading

• The advisory committee grades the defense pass or fail.

The DMA Final Project

• All DMA students must complete a final project that includes a scholarly written component.
• More specific information about the written component may be found in the School of Music (SOM) Graduate Handbook.
• Three options are available; they are described in detail with requirements and procedures in the SOM Graduate Handbook.

Option I

• Any DMA student may choose to write a document of approximately 60-70 pages.

Option II

• Performance and Conducting students may produce a professional-quality recording featuring the student as primary soloist, primary ensemble performer, or conductor, accompanied by a 25-30 page contextualizing manuscript, liner notes, and cover art.

Option III

• Performance students may add two recitals (in addition to the three required for the degree); the fifth recital must be accompanied by a contextualizing manuscript of 25-30 pages.

Time Limits for Degree Completion Requirements

• All requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed within nine years (27 fall, spring, and summer semesters) following admission to the doctoral program.

Student Progress Requirement

• A student may be dismissed from any SOM graduate program for failure to make satisfactory progress toward degree completion.
• Lack of progress includes failure to follow the most recent SOM Plan of Study on file and failure to attend SOM advising sessions each semester.

Additional Academic Requirements

• In addition to the required applied lesson credits, DMA candidates must register for applied lessons in their specific discipline during each semester in which a recital or lecture is given.

Academic Misconduct Information

• Graduate School information on Academic Misconduct.

Withdrawals and Leaves of Absence Information

• Graduate School information on Withdrawals and Leaves of Absence.

Academic Grievances Information

• Graduate School information on Academic Grievances.

Grades and Academic Standing

• Graduate School information on Grades and Academic Standing.

Graduate School Deadlines Information

• Information on Graduate School Deadlines.

Application for Graduation Information

• Graduate School information on Graduation.