GCU
PURPOSE
The purpose of the DMA degree program is to educate the most talented musicians at the highest musical level for achievement in their major field and to provide opportunities for students with verified accomplishments for professional musicianship. The program focuses on the highest level of technical understanding and artistic interpretation through a diverse performance structure with academic foundations in historical, theoretical, and pedagogical coursework. Students graduating from the program can expect to obtain practical knowledge for becoming professional musicians, including performers and/or effective instructors at the university or college level.
OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate:
- Advanced and scholarly knowledge for future success as a professional musician.
- Musical mastery of the major field and the associated solo, chamber, and symphonic/operatic repertoire.
- The ability for independent research using appropriate databases, printed and electronic resources, general reference materials, and specific resources.
- Competency to teach at the university or college level and at the post-secondary level.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Degrees and Transcripts
- Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree
- Applicants must hold a Master's degree in the applied area or its equivalent and have evidence of a high level of performance.
- Applicants must have an MA grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).
- Official transcript(s) from all previous degree-awarding institutions must be submitted in English or a notarized translation.
Recommendations
Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation. The Office of Admissions provides Recommendation Forms.Personal Statement
Applicants must submit a statement explaining their specific goals in pursuing a DMA degree and their expectations for achieving their academic goals at GCU.I-20 (F-1, J-1) Admission-International Students
International applicants should follow the general admission requirements of GCU’s admission policies as prescribed in the Catalog.ADMISSIONS PROCEDURE
Applicants must submit the following:
- DMA Application Form (GCU website)
- Official Transcripts
- Two Recommendation Letters
- Personal Statement
- A DMA program Audition Form.
Audition Requirements:
- Applicants must complete an interview and present a vocal or instrumental recital/audition. The recital/audition should be equivalent to the solo recital required for completing the applicant’s Master’s degree. The program should include works of contrasting historical periods and styles chosen to demonstrate musicianship and technical proficiency.
- Live auditions are strongly encouraged. However, applicants who are unable to be present for a live audition may submit video-recorded auditions.
- All auditions will be scheduled by the end of December and must be completed or submitted by the middle of February.
- Audition Repertoire Requirements:
Piano. The audition program must be performed from memory and include works or movements of works from each of four historical periods: Baroque through Beethoven, Romantic, Impressionistic, and Twentieth century.
Voice. The audition program must include English, French, German, and Italian repertoire. It must consist of an opera aria that demands advanced technical expertise and a repertoire drawn from a minimum of three historical periods.
Contemporary Pop Music. The audition must include pieces from contemporary musical genres such as pop, rock, R&B, folk, gospel, country, etc., demonstrating appropriate stylistic elements.
Organ. The audition program must include a major work of J.S. Bach and at least one lyrical and one virtuosic selection.
Composition. Applicants must submit scores and recordings of a recital from their M.M. or M.A. in composition to the Dean of the School of Music. (Materials will not be returned. Do not submit originals.)
Conducting. Applicant must submit a concert program and an audio/video recording of at least thirty minutes of music that provides examples of the applicant’s conducting ability. The applicant will be asked to rehearse and conduct a university chorus or orchestra.
Instruments. The audition must include contrasting styles drawn from the standard solo repertoire of the student’s selected instrument.
Church Music. Applicants must complete an audition on their primary instrument.
Contemporary Christian Music. The audition pieces might be contemporary Christian music, a tune from a famous artist or band, a jazz standard, or a composition from the classical repertoire.
Diagnostic Examinations:
At the audition time, applicants must take diagnostic examinations in music history and music theory. The results of these two examinations will be included when considering the candidate for admission to the program and used to advise the applicant as prerequisite courses to take.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE DMA PROGRAM
University Core
GCU requires all non-theology major students to be equipped with basic Biblical understanding and Christian worldviews. DMA students take two University Core courses (6 credits) during their course of study. Music majors may choose two of the following courses:- OT501 The Introduction to the Old Testament
- NT501 The Introduction to the New Testament
- TH501 Systematic Theology I
- CH501 History of Christianity
Good Standing and Time Limit
The doctoral degree must be completed within seven years of the first semester of admission as a doctoral student. It is strongly recommended that all requirements for the degree except the document and final oral examination must be completed within a period of five years. A candidate for the doctoral degree who fails to complete all degree requirements within five years after passing the comprehensive examination and being admitted to candidacy will be required to take the comprehensive examinations again and to be admitted to candidacy a second time. To be eligible for graduation, a student must maintain a 3.0 average on the graduation transcript and a 3.0 average on the program of study (no course with a grade below “C” may be placed on the program of study)Components
The DMA curriculum requires a minimum of 60 credit hours of acceptable graduate credit beyond a 30 semester-hour master’s degree. A master’s degree in the applied area (or its equivalent) and evidence of a high level of performance are required for admission into this curriculum. 60 credit hours include 51 credits for course work and 9 credits for the final research project (dissertation/lecture-recital with written documents).The required courses consist of 51 credits hours which are distributed as follows: Each Major Field Core Courses (15 credits), Supportive Core Courses (15 credits), Recital Courses (9 credits), and Elective/Minor Courses (12 credits). Also, 9 credits will be added from Final Research Project.
Comprehensive Examinations
Comprehensive Examinations are designed to evaluate the student’s ability to assimilate and integrate knowledge, apply historical and theoretical concepts, demonstrate skills, and draw conclusions. The examinations, consisting of written and oral segments, are scheduled at or near the completion of coursework. Successful completion of the written examination is a prerequisite for scheduling the oral comprehensive examination.Recitals
Recitals are required for all doctoral students. Programs for all recitals and performances must be approved at the beginning of the semester, in advance, by the major professor and the GCU DMA Program Advisory Committee. The first full recital must be presented prior to scheduling the written examination. The last recital may not be scheduled until the oral comprehensive examination has been satisfactorily completed and degree candidacy established. Recital projects presented in partial fulfillment of degree requirements will be evaluated by the full membership of the Advisory Committee.Final Research Project (Dissertation/Lecture-Recital with Written Document)
The DMA degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation/lecture-recital with a written document that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in their major field. All Final Research Project courses may be repeated for credit. Students often take more than the minimum required in order to complete the project. Candidates may choose dissertation or lecture-recital with a written document. The subject of the dissertation should be related to the major. The two parts of the lecture-recital and written document will present the same general information.Requirements for Candidacy
a. An average of 3.0 has been maintained on all doctoral courses taken and on all completed courses on the program of study.
b. Written and oral comprehensive examinations have been passed, and scores reported to the Office of Academic Affairs.
c. A final research project prospectus has been approved.
Final Research Project Approval and Defense
a. The student is responsible for the development of a proposal for the final research project. The proposal is developed with guidance provided by the major professor or designated professor.
b. When the major professor is satisfied with the completed final research project, he/she will certify that it has his/her approval and is ready to read. The major professor will then schedule a final oral defense.
Submission of the Dissertation/Lecture-Recital with Written Document
CONFERRAL OF DEGREES
TWhen it is certified that the candidate has completed all required work and met all financial obligations, the degree will be recommended by a vote of the DMA Program Committee. Upon approval of the GCU Board of Trustees, the Doctor of Musical Arts degree will be conferred, normally in May.
GENERAL TIMELINE FOR THE DMA PROGRAM
| Steps | Requirements | Timeframe | Evidence of Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Course Work (51 credits) | During the first six semesters | • Five or Six semesters of coursework • Normal credit units are nine (three courses) per semester • Evaluation of satisfactory academic progress |
| 2 | Comprehensive Examination | In the six semesters | • Registration for a comprehensive exam • Comprehensive exam covers the two major/minor fields • The DMA program committee implements a comprehensive exam • Candidate status is given to students who pass the comprehensive exam |
| 3 | Final Research Project Proposal (3 credits) | In the six semesters | • Registration for final research project proposal • Supervisor advises and guides the proposal • The proposal will be evaluated and approved by the final project committee |
| 4 | Final Research Project (9 credits) | In the seventh semester | • Registration for the final research project • Final research project will be evaluated and approved by the final project committee |
| 5 | Oral Defense | Three months before the end of each semester | • All members of the final research project committee and the DMA program committee may participate in the oral defense • The final research project committee submits a final report, and the DMA program committee makes a final decision |
CURRICULUM AND COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Curriculum
The program of study for the DMA includes coursework in five areas: major field courses, supportive courses, recitals, elective/minor courses, and a final research project. A minimum of 60 hours is required beyond a 30 semester-hours master’s degree. All such credit must have a “B” or better grade and be approved by the major professor and advisory committee. Minimum credit hour requirements beyond the master’s degree for each of the five program areas are listed below:
- Major Field Courses : 15 credit hours
- Supportive Courses : 15 credit hours
- Recitals : 9 credit hours
- Elective/Minor Courses : 12 credit hours (6 for Church Music)
- Final Research Project : 9 credit hours
- University Core : 6 credit hours (12 for Church Music)
| (1) Major Field Core (Choose 3 courses, 15 credits) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Piano, Voice, Contemporary Pop Music, Organ, Composition, Conducting, Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, etc.), Woodwinds (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, etc.), Brass (Trumpet, Trombone, Horn, Tuba, etc.), Church Music, and Contemporary Christian Music. (For example, Voice major students can take MUS801, MUS741, MUS713, and MUS821.) |
|
| MUS801 A-B Applied Music | 3, 3 |
| MUS711 Survey of Piano Pedagogy | 3 |
| MUS741 Seminar in Literature and Performance | 3 |
| MUS713 Survey of Vocal Pedagogy | 3 |
| MUS742 Piano Literature | 3 |
| MUS743 Organ Literature | 3 |
| MUS744 Vocal Literature | 3 |
| MUS745 Choral Literature | 3 |
| MUS746 Orchestral Literature | 3 |
| MUS747 Church Music Literature | 3 |
| MUS851 Contemporary Pop Music Education | 3 |
| MUS852 Survey of Organ Pedagogy | 3 |
| MUS853 Survey of Music Composition Pedagogy | 3 |
| MUS854 Conducting Pedagogy | 3 |
| MUS855 Survey of Instrumental Pedagogy | 3 |
| MUS856 Survey of Church Music Education | 3 |
| MUS857 Contemporary Christian Music in Education | 3 |
| MUS821 Doctoral Seminar | 3 |
| Total 15 | |
| (2) Supportive Core (15 credits) | ||
|---|---|---|
| MUS703 Research in Music and Bibliography | 3 | |
| MUS726 Analytical Techniques | 3 | |
| One additional theory course | 3 | |
| Any two history courses | 3, 3 |
| (3) Recitals (9 credits) | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MUS811 First Doctoral Recital | 3 | |
| MUS812 Second Doctoral Recital | 3 | |
| MUS813 DMA Chamber Music Recital | 3 | |
| Total 9 | ||
| (4) Electives/Minor Area (Choose 4 courses, 12 credits) | |
|---|---|
| MUS714 Advanced Accompanying | 2 |
| MUS621 Advanced Theory | 3 |
| MUS622 Form and Analysis | 3 |
| MUS623 Counterpoint I | 3 |
| MUS624 Counterpoint II | 3 |
| MUS625 Analysis of Post-Romantic Music | 3 |
| MUS631 Music History I | 3 |
| MUS632 Music History II | 3 |
| MUS633 Music History III | 3 |
| MUS634 Music History IV | 3 |
| MUS651 Worship and Music | 3 |
| MUS653 Graduate Seminar I | 3 |
| MUS654 Graduate Seminar II | 3 |
| MUS661 Opera Workshop | 2 |
| MUS762 Advanced Diction for Singers | 2 |
| MUS816 Performance Practice | 3 |
| Total 12 |
| (5) Final Research Project (9 credits) | |
|---|---|
| MUS911 Dissertation | 9 |
| MUS912 Lecture Recital and Written Document | 9 |
| Total 9 |