Music, D.M.A.

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The Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) offers music performers and conductors an advanced degree plan of 60 units beyond the master of music degree. The program and courses meet National Association of Music standards and include shared core courses in musicology, theory and literature. We offer 3 tracks of study in both performance and conducting.

Performance (Strings, Voice, Instrumental),
Conducting (Wind, Orchestral, Choral).

The D.M.A. degree is the terminal degree for performers and conductors. Students who complete this program of study are qualified to seek jobs in colleges and universities.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

describe and integrate advanced topics in theoretical analysis, the study of music history and society, and music performance skills through writing, speaking, discussion, and musical performing, as exemplified through successful completion of coursework.
conduct professional quality music performance and apply knowledge leading to work as a musician, educator, or collegiate professor, as exemplified through the successful completion of musical ensembles, applied lessons, and recital components.
develop performance skills and knowledge of theoretical concepts to become future musical leaders, as exemplified through successful completion of the thesis, creative projects, and exit exams.

Contact Information

Louis Neibur, Professor
lniebur@unr.edu
(775)784-4061

School of Music
Church Fine Arts, Mail Stop 0226
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV 89557-0049

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements of the Graduate School , applicants to the D.M.A. program must meet the following criteria:

Successfully complete a performance/conducting audition.
Pass the music theory and musicology entrance exams.
Have completed a Master of Music (M.M.), Master of Arts (M.A.), or Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree.

I. Program Requirements (60 units)

A. Shared Studies Coursework (15 units)

1. Required Course (3 units)

For those who have not taken for MM (If already taken then students may take 3 credits of electives)

MUS 690 - Research Methods in Music (3 units)

2. Theory (3 units)

Students may take either course unless they have already taken one at the Master’s level at UNR, in which case the student should take the other class.

MUS 709 - Contemporary Theory and Practice (3 units)
OR
MUS 774 - Seminar in Music Theory (3 units)

3. Musicology/Ethnomusicology (9 units)

Choose 9 units from the following:

MUS 710 - Topics in Medieval and Renaissance Music (3 units)
MUS 711 - Topics in Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century Music (3 units)
MUS 712 - Special Topics in Nineteenth Century Music (3 units)
MUS 713 - Topics in Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Music (3 units)
MUS 714 - Special Topics in American Music (3 units)
MUS 715 - Introduction to Ethnomusicology Graduate Seminar (3 units)

B. Recital (12 units)

1. Instrumental/String (12 units)

3 units, repeated 4 times, consisting of:

3 Recitals (9 units) of which 1 must be a lecture recital
Recording project equivalent to a full-length CD (with possible video component) (3 units)

MUS 799 - Doctor of Musical Arts Recital (3 units)

2. Vocal (12 units)

3 units, repeated 4 times, consisting of:

3 Recitals (9 units) of which 1 must be a lecture recital; students may substitute a leading opera role for one of the recitals
Recording project equivalent to a full-length CD (with possible video component) (3 units)

MUS 799 - Doctor of Musical Arts Recital (3 units)

3. Conducting (12 units)

At least one full recital and one lecture recital; the other 6 units can consist of various guest conducting appearances.

All recitals/guest conducting appearances must be approved by the student’s D. M. A. committee.

MUS 799 - Doctor of Musical Arts Recital (3 units)

C. Final Requirements (5 units)

MUS 795 - Comprehensive Examination (1 unit)
MUS 795A Oral Comprehensive Exam (1 unit required)
MUS 780 - Document (3 units)
* can be an expansion of the lecture recital or any other approved document topic.

D. Area Specific Requirements (28 units)

1. Strings (28 units)

Applied Lessons (12 units) (4 semesters of 3-unit lessons)
Major/Chamber Ensembles (5 units)
MUS 616 - Orchestral String Repertory and Audition Workshop (1 unit) Repeated 4 times
MUS 719 - Teaching Music in Higher Education (1 unit)
MUS 747 - Instrumental Music Pedagogy (3 units)
Electives (3 units)

2. Instrumental (28 units)

Applied Lessons (12 units) (4 semesters of 3-unit lessons)
Major ensemble (4 units) (chamber music can count for piano majors)
Chamber Music (2 units)
Major Ensemble or Chamber Music (2 units)
MUS 719 - Teaching Music in Higher Education (1 unit)
MUS 747 - Instrumental Music Pedagogy (3 units)
Electives (3 units)
Independent Study (1 unit)
Piano students are strongly encouraged to take MUS 683: Piano Seminar in lieu of one semester of Major Ensemble or Chamber Music

3. Voice (28 units)

Applied Lessons (12 units) (4 semesters of 3-unit lessons)
MUS 618 - Advanced Vocal Repertory Coaching (1 unit) 4 units required
MUS 617 - Vocal Pedagogy (2 units)
MUS 626 - Vocal Literature (2 units)
MUS 719 - Teaching Music in Higher Education (1 unit)
Interdisciplinary Cognate (6 units) *
Elective (1 unit)

* Interdisciplinary Cognate courses to be selected from Business Administration, Communication Studies, Counseling and Educational Psychology, Curriculum Teaching and Learning, Educational Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Gender, Race, and Identity, Management, and Psychology.

4. Orchestral Conducting (28 units)

MUS 722 - Instrumental Conducting (2 to 3 units)
(12 units required = 3 units x 4 semesters)
MUSA 729 - Piano–Graduate Level (1 to 4 units)
(2 units required = 1 unit x 2 semesters; 30 minute lessons)
MUSA 745 - Voice–Graduate Level (1 to 4 units)
(1 unit required = 1 semester; 30 minute lessons)
MUSE 603 - Chamber Chorale (1 unit)
MUS 607 - Symphonic Literature (2 units)
MUS 695 - Independent Study (1 to 3 units)
(1 unit required)
MUS 725 - Seminar in Wind Conducting (1 unit)
(2 units required = 1 unit per semester x 2 semesters)
Applied Percussion (1 unit) (30 minute lessons for 1 semester)
Interdisciplinary Cognate courses (6 units) **
** Interdisciplinary cognate courses may be selected from Business Administration, Communication Studies, Counseling and Educational Psychology, Curriculum Teaching and Learning, Educational Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Gender, Race, and Identity, Management, and Psychology.

5. Choral Conducting (28 units)

MUSA 745 - Voice–Graduate Level (1 to 4 units)
(2 units required = 2 units x 1 semester; 1 hour lessons)
MUSA 729 - Piano–Graduate Level (1 to 4 units)
(2 units required = 1 unit x 2 semesters; 30 minute lessons)
MUS 695 - Independent Study (1 to 3 units) (2 units required)
MUS 614 - Choral Literature (2 units)
MUS 617 - Vocal Pedagogy (2 units)
MUS 721 - Choral Conducting (2 to 3 units)
(9 units required = 3 units x 3 semesters)
MUS 722 - Instrumental Conducting (2 to 3 units) (3 units required)
Interdisciplinary Cognate (6 units) **
** Interdisciplinary Cognate courses to be selected from Business Administration, Communication Studies, Counseling and Educational Psychology, Curriculum Teaching and Learning, Educational Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Gender, Race, and Identity, Management, and Psychology.

6. Wind Conducting (28 units)

MUS 722 - Instrumental Conducting (2 to 3 units)
(12 units required = 3 units x 4 semesters)
MUSA 729 - Piano–Graduate Level (1 to 4 units)
(2 units required = 1 unit x 2 semesters; 30 minute lessons)
MUS 608 - Wind Ensemble Literature (2 units)
MUSE 603 - Chamber Chorale (1 unit)
MUS 725 - Seminar in Wind Conducting (1 unit)
(2 units required = 1 unit x 2 semesters)
Interdisciplinary Cognate (9 units) *
* Interdisciplinary Cognate courses may be selected from Business Administration, Communication Studies, Counseling and Educational Psychology, Curriculum Teaching and Learning, Educational Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Gender, Race, and Identity, Management, and Psychology.