Additional Requirements by Instrument
Objectives
The DMA program has the following objectives:
- To provide a balanced experience that combines the best possible technical and musical training complemented by instruction and mentoring in research related to performance and pedagogy.
- To prepare graduates to assume university positions as studio teachers and active performers at a professional level of accomplishment, who will also be able to participate in at least one other area of the teaching mission of their overall music administrative unit (department, division, or school of music)
Teaching Faculty
For a list of Performance Faculty, please visit the Music Performance Studies Department Faculty page. You may also wish to explore the Music Research and Composition Faculty and Music Education Faculty pages.
Registration
Students will register full-time continuously for all four-years.
The Advisory Committee
Each doctoral student will have an individual Advisory Committee normally comprising three faculty members, one of whom will serve as Chair. Ordinarily, two members will be drawn from performance while the third member will be drawn from elsewhere (in most cases from the Department of Music Education or the Department of Music Research and Composition).
The Associate Dean (Graduate Studies and Research) will meet with each incoming student, before classes begin, to discuss the student’s interests and aspirations and identify a likely Advisory Committee Chair and two other Committee members. The Chair of the Advisory Committee will be selected from faculty associated with the Department of Music Performance Studies who hold doctoral degrees.
The second member of the Advisory Committee drawn from performance normally will be the studio teacher. The third member will be from an area other than performance. If from outside Music, the non-performance committee member will be appropriately credentialed for his or her discipline and will hold core membership in a graduate program in the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
After the initial meeting with the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies and Research) the student will meet individually with the suggested Committee members and report back to the Associate Dean, who will officially appoint the Committee. Sometime during the first term of enrollment the Chair of the Advisory Committee will convene a meeting of the student with the Advisory Committee, and together they will draw up the student’s program of study. In the initial years of the program we expect the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies and Research) will work closely with each Advisory Committee Chair on this task.
Within the context of the basic requirements of the doctoral program described above the Committee, in consultation with the student, will determine how many and what courses will be required. The Committee may require the student to complete additional courses beyond the required minimum, either for language study, or in other areas relevant to the proposed area of concentration, or simply to address deficiencies in preparation for doctoral work. The norm, however, will be sixteen graduate half courses. The Committee will also assume the primary responsibility for setting and assessing Comprehensive and Area examinations.
The Committee will draft questions for and adjudicate the Comprehensive Examination and the Area Examination, and arrange and supervise the completion of language requirements, if applicable.
Upon the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, the Graduate Committee will formally approve the monograph proposal and the monograph Supervisor and Second Reader. The Committee will then recommend the proposal and slate of Supervisor and Second Reader to the Graduate Committee.
The Supervisor of the monograph will be chosen from among core members of the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies with Doctoral Supervisory status.
More information for Prospective Graduate Students.
For more information, please contact the Faculty’s Graduate Program Assistant, Shelly Koster – skoster@uwo.ca, (01) 519-661-2111 ext. 80532.
DMA Voice Program Requirements
Specialties offered in Opera and Recital & Oratorio
- 4-6 terms of Lessons: 9801a, 9802b, 9803a, 9804b, 9805a, 9806b
- 6 terms being the norm
- 4-6 terms of Vocal Coaching: 9811a, 9812b, 9813a, 9814b, 9815a, 9816b
- 0.5 course in Vocal Pedagogy: 9821y
- 0.5 course in Acting for Singers: 9841a
- 1.5 Vocal Literature courses:
- Vocal Literature: Melodie 9831b
- Vocal Literature: Lieder 9832a
- Vocal Literature: Oratorio 9833b or Vocal Literature: Opera 9834b
- 1.5 music courses in areas other than performance
- 1.0 extra course as required by committee
- 4 Performance Events: 9851, 9852, 9853, 9854
- Could include solo recitals, chamber music recitals, major opera roles, and lecture recitals
- Determined in consultation with the student and DMA Advisory Committee
- 4 Additional Milestones*:
- Language requirement: 1-year university course or demonstrated proficiency in French, German, and Italian
- 1 Comprehensive examination
- 1 Area Examination
- 1 Monograph & oral defense of monograph
DMA Orchestral Instruments Program Requirements
Specialties offered in Flute, Violin, Violoncello, Double Bass, Percussion
- 4-6 Terms of Lessons: 9801a, 9802b, 9803a, 9804b, 9805a, 9806b
- 4 terms the norm
- 0.5 Course in Pedagogy
- Under the supervision of the student’s major studio instructor, may include: serving as an ensemble section coach, working with music education secondary instrument classes, observing and teaching undergraduate studio lessons, observing and directing undergraduate studio master classes
- 0.5-1.0 Courses in Instrumental Literature, (1-2 terms, depending on instrument)
- 0.5 Course in Performance Research: 9593a
- 0.5 Course in Performance Issues and Research: 9594b or 9595a
- Optional Ensemble (Large or Chamber)
- 2.5-3.5 music courses in areas other than performance
- Any additional courses to be determined by the student’s DMA Advisory Committee, based upon the student’s interests and goals
- 4 Performance Events: 9851, 9852, 9853, 9854
- To include one solo recital and one lecture recital, plus two remaining performance events to be determined by the DMA Advisory Committee in consultation with the student
- May include solo recitals, chamber music recitals, concerto performances, etc.
- 4 Additional Milestones*:
- Comprehensive Examination
- Area Examination
- Monograph
- Oral Defense
DMA Piano:
Specialties offered in Solo Piano, Piano Pedagogy, and Collaborative Piano
- 4-6 terms of Lessons: 9801a, 9802b, 9803a, 9804b, 9805a, 9806b
- 4 terms the norm for Solo Piano and Piano Pedagogy; 6 terms the norm for Collaborative Piano
- Courses in Support of Performance:
Solo Piano
- 0.5-1.0 courses in Piano Literature
- 0.5-1.0 courses in Chamber Music: 9566y
- 0.5-1.0 courses in Piano Pedagogy
- Other courses, if any, determined by the DMA Advisory Committee in advisory with the student
Piano Pedagogy
- 0.5-1.0 courses in Piano Literature
- 0.5-1.0 courses in Piano Pedagogy
- 1.0 courses determined by the DMA Advisory Committee in advisory with the student
Collaborative Piano
- 0.5 course in Collaborative Musicianship: 9506y
- 1.0 course in Vocal Repertory: 9515
- 0.5 course in Art of Vocal Coaching: 9567y
- 0.5 course in Chamber Music: 9566y
- 0.5 course in Contemporary Ensemble: 9507y
- 0.5 course in Early Music Ensemble: 9568y
- Other courses, if any, determined by the DMA Advisory Committee in advisory with the student
- 2.0 music courses in areas other than performance
- Any additional courses to be determined by the student’s DMA Advisory Committee, based upon the student’s interests and goals
- 4 Performance Events: 9851, 9852, 9853, 9854
- May include solo recitals, chamber music recitals, concerto performances, lecture recitals, etc.
- To be determined by the DMA Advisory Committee in consultation with the student
- 4 Additional Milestones*:
- Comprehensive Examination
- Area Examination
- Monograph
- Oral Defense
- A language requirement may be required by the DMA Advisory Committee depending on the student’s performance-research interests
- 4-6 terms of Lessons: 9801a, 9802b, 9803a, 9804b, 9805a, 9806b
- 4 terms the norm
- Choral Conductors: 2 terms of conducting lessons + 2 terms of voice lessons
- Instrumental Conductors: 4 terms of conducting lessons
- Courses in support of performance:
- Choral Conductors
- 1.0 course in Choral Conducting Seminar
- 0.5 course in Vocal Pedagogy
- 1.0 course in Diction
- 0.5 course in Score Reading (common course with instrumental conductors)
- 0.5 course in Score Analysis (common course with instrumental conductors)
- 0.5 course to be determined by the DMA Advisory Committee in consultation with the student
- For Instrumental Conductors
- 2.0 courses in Instrumental Conducting Seminar
- 0.5 course in Score Reading (common course with choral conductors)
- course in Score Analysis (first 0.5 course common course with choral conductors)
- Optional 0.5 course in Choral Conducting Seminar
- 2.0-2.5 music courses in areas other than performance
- Any additional courses to be determined by the student’s DMA Advisory Committee, based upon the student’s interests and goals
- 4 Performance Events: 9851, 9852, 9853, 9854
- To be determined by the DMA Advisory Committee in consultation with the student
- All performance events must be recorded on DVD
- May include concerts (complete or composite), lecture recitals, etc.
- Exempli gratia: 1 complete concert of chamber works; 2 composite concerts of works performed by large ensembles; 1 lecture recital related to monograph topic
- 4 Additional Milestones*:
- Comprehensive Examination
- Area Examination
- Monograph
- Oral Defense
- A language requirement may be required by the DMA Advisory Committee depending on the student’s performance-research interests
- Three letters of recommendation
- A repertoire list and copies of recital programs
- A current resume
- A statement of interest and goals, 1-2 pages in length
- Transcripts for all previous post-secondary work. Applicants must possess a minimum GPA for previous graduate study of 78%
- Writing sample(s), which can include articles, reviews, CD notes, etc., but should include an academic paper of about 3,000 words (approximately 10-11 pages), and should include the most recent available example.
- A DVD submitted for the purpose of a prescreening audition. A minimum of 20-minutes is required (30-minutes for conductors).
- Additional requirements as listed below, and on the How & When to Apply page
- A “quick study” performance examination (e.g., the applicant will be given a piece 24 hours beforehand to prepare and perform as part of the live audition and interview)
- Proficiency examinations in music history, music theory, and other areas such as keyboard and aural skills where specified within Fields
- Language and diction examinations where specified by Fields.
- Voice
- A brief description of foreign language study and background, if any for French, German, and Italian. The applicant must have completed one year of basic study (or equivalent) for two of the three languages
- If invited to campus, applicants should expect a “quick study” performance examination (e.g., the applicant is given a piece 24 hours beforehand to perform from memory), a brief diction examination (French, German, Italian), and complete a piano proficiency examination
- Piano
- A brief description of foreign language study and background, if any.
- If invited to campus, applicants should expect a “quick study” performance examination (e.g., the applicant is given a piece 24 hours beforehand to perform from memory), and sight reading, as part of the live audition and interview.
- Collaborative Piano Only: At the campus audition, expect brief diction and translation examinations.
- Conducting
- A brief description of foreign language study and background, if any.
- If invited to campus, applicants should expect:
- A live audition on site consisting of 20 minutes conducting specified repertoire
- An interview
- A test of piano proficiency
- Screening examinations in music history and music theory
- Choral conductors only: a test of score reading ability
- Historically Informed Performance
- A brief description of foreign language study and background, if any.
- If invited to campus, candidates should expect for the “quick study” performance examination to consist of:
- Keyboard applicants will be given a piece requiring continuo realization;
- Voice performers, and instrumentalists other than keyboard, will be given a Baroque da capo aria or a solo piece to demonstrate ability in and knowledge of ornamentation
- Orchestral Instruments
- A brief description of foreign language study and background, if any.
DMA Conducting Program Requirements
Specialties offered in Choral Conducting and Instrumental Conducting
The Comprehensive Examination
Normally the comprehensive examination will be attempted towards the end of year 2 (i.e., in the sixth term of registration). The Examination questions will be written by the student’s Advisory Committee, with all questions by all advisory committees pooled for any particular examination.3 Each examination will consist of a list of topics engaging performance informed by music history and music theory, from which the student shall choose two. The student will then write a research paper of approximately 20 pages on each topic chosen, submitting the papers to the DMA Advisory Committee 3 weeks after commencing the examination. The DMA Advisory Committee will read the papers in a timely fashion, meet to adjudicate them, and convey the results to the student.
If a student fails the Comprehensive Examination there will be one opportunity to reattempt it. In such cases the student will be required to wait at least one term, to provide time to address any deficiencies revealed in the failed attempt. A new examination will then be written by the Advisory Committee and administered to the student.
Language requirement
This optional milestone, if required, should be completed by the end of year 2. While there is no set language requirement for the program, students must demonstrate proficiency in any foreign languages required for their work. The student’s DMA Advisory Committee will determine language requirements, if any, in consultation with the student, will specify how proficiency is to be demonstrated, and will advise the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies and Research) when such requirements are complete. The Associate Dean (Graduate Studies and Research) will assist as needed with preparation and adjudication of language examinations.
Area Examination
The Area Examination serves the purpose of determining whether the proposed monograph topic is viable, the student is prepared to undertake it, and the necessary resources (including supervision) are available. The examination is conducted by the DMA Advisory Committee, and successful completion of this milestone means the latter approves the topic and supervisory panel, and recommends them to the Graduate Committee for approval. Normally this milestone will be completed by the end of year 3.
Monograph, and Oral Defense
The Monograph will be an extended research paper on a topic appropriate to the student’s Field. In form it will meet the standard of a thesis or dissertation. In content it will aspire to the standard of a thesis; that is, it need not make a substantial original contribution to knowledge in the field (although certainly it could), but at the least it should contribute something of readily discernible significance to the field, and it should be of publishable quality. The Oral Defense will be conducted according to SGPS regulations and guidelines. This milestone will occur at the end of the student’s program and will mark completion of all degree requirements.
For more information, please contact the Faculty’s Graduate Program Assistant, Shelly Koster – skoster@uwo.ca, (01) 519-661-2111 ext. 80532.
Applicants to the DMA program must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent. All students must be fluent in written and spoken English. International students must demonstrate proficiency in English with a TOEFL score of at least 600.
All applicants must submit a complete application package consisting of the following:
Please visit How and When to Apply for the appropriate deadlines and to start your application process. This is where you can download your Teaching Assistant Questionnaire, Studies in Progress Form (if applicable), Audition Form, and link to formally apply online to Western Graduate Studies.
On the basis of the foregoing materials successful applicants will be invited to come to campus for a live audition, interview, and examinations that may include the following:
Additional Requirements by Instrument Type:
For more information, please contact the Faculty’s Graduate Program Assistant, Shelly Koster – skoster@uwo.ca, (01) 519-661-2111 ext. 80532.
Also from this web page:
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