(This program is not currently accepting students).
Prerequisites and Entrance Requirements
PLEASE NOTE: This program is not currently accepting students. To speak to a faculty member to discuss other DMA options, please reach out to kaltchev@cua.edu
Acceptance as a graduate student by the Departments of Music is required. The applicant must have extensive performance and teaching experience after receiving a master's degree from an accredited institution in piano, vocal accompanying, or chamber music performance.
The applicant must submit the following to the advisory committee:
- two letters of recommendation (including one from a professional colleague, not teacher of the applicant) attesting to the applicant's past and potential ability as a concert performer;
- programs and critical reviews, if available;
- completed repertoire and professional experience record, obtainable at: academics/incoming-current-music-students/index
The applicant must successfully complete the following entrance requirements:
- sight reading examination of vocal scores and transposition before the advisory committee;
- written placement examinations (two hours each) in (a) music history and (b) music theory.
The contents of the public entrance recital, determined by the advisory committee from repertoire proposed by the candidate, are to be communicated to the applicant by the committee not less than 30 days in advance of the recital date. The applicant is responsible for the overall quality of the performance on this and all other recitals required for the degree. Entrance recitals and placement and entrance examinations are given during the first and second semester registration periods. An interview with the committee takes place after the examinations are completed.
Program of Study
Based on the results of the entrance examinations, the advisory committee, in conference with the student, will arrange a program of study of 54 to 72 hours beyond the master's degree. Candidates must pass language examinations in French, German and Italian. Graduate courses in these languages may be taken as part of the core courses with the adviser's approval. The courses and repertoire to be completed as part of the degree requirements will be communicated to the student in writing.
The contents of the six required public recitals are to be selected by the candidate in consultation with the committee and each is to be of approximately 70 minutes playing time. They may be given in any order:
- four vocal-accompanying recitals to consist of: one French art song recital, two German Lieder recitals, each of which must contain a major song cycle, and one 20th century song recital; (MUS 912 or MUS 913, each 2 Semester Hours);
- one vocal-instrumental recital (MUS 912 or MUS 913, 2 semester hours);
- one chamber music recital (MUS 907 or MUS 908, 3 semester hours).
A final 70-minute public recital (MUS 997A w/ classes; MUS 997B w/o classes) (0 semester hours), consisting of music of different periods proposed by the candidate with committee approval, is the final comprehensive examination. The program content of this recital will be communicated to the candidate 60 days in advance of the performance. To be prepared by the candidate without the aid of a teacher or coach, this recital should demonstrate high professional standards of performance.
Minor in Latin American Music
The advisory committee, in conference with the student, will arrange a program of study of 54 to 72 semester hours beyond the master's degree, which will include at least 12 semester hours of Latin American music electives. Repertoire for applied instruction and of recital programs must include a significant proportion of Latin American music.
Minor in Musicology
The advisory committee, in conference with the student, will arrange a program of study of 54 to 72 semester hours beyond the master's degree, which will include at least 12 semester hours of musicology courses beyond the minimum number of hours already required for the degree. Three of those semester hours must be Research Methodology (MUS 731), unless the student has taken a similar course for the master's degree. At the conclusion of coursework, the student will take a written, four-hour minor comprehensive examination (based on four musicology courses selected by the student).