D.M.A. - Composition

Prepared Creative/Scholarly Materials Requirements:

• * Submit a statement of purpose (500-700 words; Times, 12-point font; Word, rtf or pdf format; double-spaced). Statement should be written by the applicant describing his/her future goals and how the D.M.A. can help attain those goals. (This statement will help the Committee evaluate the fit between the applicant’s goals/interests and the School’s ability to address those goals/interests.)

  * Submit a written exercise (Times, 12-point font; Word, rtf or pdf format; double-spaced). This writing example should be of one of two kinds. It may be an academic term paper of yours, complete with citations and bibliography. Alternatively, you may submit an essay written specifically for this application, for which you select two compositions performed, conducted or originally composed from a recent Master's or Doctoral recital that represent different historical periods or contrasting styles/genres. In this newly written essay you should discuss the characteristics of style and form in each composition, and discuss each composer's contribution to THIS PARTICULAR GENRE OF MUSIC (i.e., discuss additional compositions, historical and/or theoretical significance of contribution, or compare/contrast your composition to well-known compositions of a similar genre or style).

  NOTE: Each writing example must include this honor code statement at the beginning of the essay: "On my honor, I have not received any unauthorized aid on this essay."  Applicants' essays will also be subjected to random plagiarism software checks. Any violations of the honor code statement or evidence of plagiarism will result in the candidate's application portfolio being withdrawn from further consideration.

  * A portfolio of 3-5 scores submitted in PDF format. (Note: If submitting work that does not have a score, e.g. electronic compositions, upload a PDF document outlining the technology used to compose the work in place of a score.)

  • Recordings of the submitted compositions. Live recordings are encouraged, but MIDI recordings are acceptable.

  
   NOTE: The composition faculty will review all applications; applicants who meet prescreening requirements will be contacted by the faculty to schedule an interview.  This personal interview with members of our composition faculty is required. Discussion topics may include your background as a composer and performer, your theory proficiency, and other relevant topics.

   

One Example of a Semester by Semester Plan
D.M.A. Degree - Composition
9-9-10-12-10-10

Note 1: This plan assumes that the student has completed 30 hours of transfer credit that is applicable toward the degree, and thus now needs 60 more credits of coursework.
Note 2: This plan assumes 18 credits in the Seminar in composition (individual lessons, where 24 credits is the maximum) and 5 credits of Recital.
Note 3: Composers must have a 15-credit secondary area of emphasis.