Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.)

The three-year degree requires completion of 60-72 credit hours, including core and concentration requirements. There is a two-year residency requirement. In the third year of the degree, D.M.A. students must pass comprehensive written and oral examinations.

Degrees Offered

Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.)

Concentrations

• Conducting
• Performance
• Brass Area
• Percussion Area
• Piano Area
• String Area
• Vocal Area
• Woodwind Area
  • Brass Area
  • Percussion Area
  • Piano Area
  • String Area
  • Vocal Area
  • Woodwind Area

Earn your D.M.A. at JMU

We are seeking candidates who have the potential to pursue the highest level of achievement in conducting/performance and teaching.

Degree Objectives

Students graduating from the D.M.A. program (with Concentrations in Performance, Pedagogy, and Literature or Conducting, Pedagogy and Literature) will be able to:

Performance, Pedagogy, and Literature:

1. Demonstrate the application of musical and technical mastery through the performance of advanced repertoire in the student’s area of specialization (instrumental or voice).
2. Create and deliver effective pedagogical instruction.
3. Analyze the standard solo, chamber and ensemble repertoire in the student’s area of specialization (instrumental or voice).
4. Communicate effectively about music through a) writing and b) speaking.

Conducting, Pedagogy and Literature:

1. Demonstrate the application of musical and physical conducting skills through the performance of advanced repertoire in the student’s area of specialization (instrumental or vocal).
2. Demonstrate effective rehearsal techniques through the preparation of representative repertoire in the student’s area of specialization (instrumental or vocal).
3. Create and deliver effective pedagogical instruction.
4. Formulate advanced insights into the artistic and formal structure of music through score study in the student’s area of specialization.
5. Communicate effectively about music through a) writing and b) speaking.