Doctor of Musical Arts:

Instrumental Performance
(Brass, Percussion, Strings and
Woodwinds)
Program Guidelines
Revised July 1, 2023

Major Area Courses Credit Hours

MUSC 7190 Doctoral Private Lessons (4 semesters) 12

MUSC 74xx Large Ensemble (4 semesters) 4
MUSC 7210 Performance Practice I 3
MUSC 7211 Performance Practice II 3
MUSC 7370 Doctoral Instrumental Pedagogy 3
MUSC 7371 Doctoral Instrumental Literature 3
MUSC 7975 DMA Dissertation Essay 3

Performance Projects
MUSC 7920 DMA Recital I (solo recital) 1
MUSC 7930 DMA Recital II (solo recital) 1
MUSC 7940 DMA Recital III (Chamber Music or Concerto with large 1
instrumental ensemble)
MUSC 7950 DMA Lecture Recital 1

Academic Courses a total of 12 hours is required

Musicology Choose two from the following, 6

no more than one of which may be at the 6xxx-level:
MUSC 6610 Renaissance Music Grad
MUSC 6620 Baroque Music Grad
MUSC 6630 Classical Music Grad
MUSC 6640 19th-Century Music Grad
MUSC 6650 20th- and 21st-Century Music Grad
MUSC 6660 Music of the United States Grad
MUSC 6890 Seminar on a Special Topic
MUSC 7670 Orchestral Studies Seminar Doctoral
MUSC 7680 Opera Studies Seminar Doctoral
or Research Seminars with permission of instructor (MUSC 7800,
7801, 7802, 7803, 7804, 7890)

Music Theory Choose two from the following: 6

MUSC 6520 20th/21st Century Analysis I
MUSC 6521 20th/21st Century Analysis II
MUSC 6536 History of Western Music Theory
MUSC 6550 Advanced Formal Procedures of the 18th/19th Centuries I
MUSC 6551 Advanced Formal Procedures of the 18th/19th Centuries II
MUSC 7510 Theory Pedagogy
MUSC 6580/7580 Special Topics in Music Theory
Bibliography
MUSC 6010 Music Bibliography (if not taken for requisite Master’s degree) (2)

Related Field DMA students are required to complete 12-13 hours in a Related 12-13
Field (see DMA Related Field Admission and Course Requirements).

Electives Six hours of electives must be taken if Music History or Music (6)
Theory is chosen as the Related Field. The hours must be in
academic courses approved by the Supervisory Committee.
_______
Total Credit Hours minimum of 59

Program Purpose
The Doctor of Musical Arts is designed for students with interest and/or career aspirations as performers and
post-secondary educators. Goals include the advancement of performers to the highest level of technical mastery
and artistic expression, study in a related field, which could prepare students for teaching in a secondary area, and
refinement in the ability to engage in independent research. The curriculum is designed to allow students
flexibility in emphasizing particular interests while at the same time insuring a broad perspective of advanced
knowledge and skills development.

Acceptance into the DMA Program

To be considered for admission to the DMA, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
1. Hold Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in music from accredited institutions.
2. Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in all previous collegiate work.
3. Score an 85 or higher on the TOEFL iBT or a 6.5 or higher on the IELTS (international applicants only).

Complete the following steps to apply to the DMA:

1. Submit the online Graduate Admissions application. As part of this application DMA applicants need to
upload:
a. Transcripts of undergraduate and graduate course work from all schools attended.
b. Three letters of recommendation from professors, employers, and/or other professionals qualified
to judge the applicant’s ability to successfully complete doctoral studies.
c. Statement of Purpose, including future goals.
d. Current CV or resume.
e. Comprehensive Repertoire list of both works performed (listing date and venue) and works
studied.
f. TOEFL or IELTS score, if applicable.
2. Complete a solo audition, by recording or in person. A live audition is preferred for all areas of study.
Piano accompaniment is optional and must be provided by the candidate. If a live audition is not possible,
submit a YouTube link to a high-quality video. The YouTube link should be sent to the Academic
Coordinator: David.A.Fox@utah.edu. Audition requirements are as follows:

Woodwinds and Brass: Two solo works in contrasting style from the standard repertoire plus five
standard orchestral excerpts of the candidate’s preference.
• Clarinetists should prepare the exposition to the Mozart Clarinet Concerto, one other solo work of
the candidate’s choosing, the cadenzas from the Nielsen Concerto, and the following orchestral
excerpts: Daphnis and Chloe Suite #2 (from Cailliet “Orchestral Passages for the Clarinet from
the Modern French Repertoire”), Mendelssohn Scherzo (beginning to bar 48), and Rachmaninoff
Symphony #2 (mvt. 3, opening solo through bar 47).
 Strings: Two contrasting movements from the sonatas and partitas for solo violin, or suites for solo
cello/viola/double bass by J.S. Bach; one movement from a major standard concerto; one Paganini
Caprice (or equivalent).

Percussion:
• Snare drum – One movement of choice; Excerpts from Prokofiev: Lt. Kije – Birth of Kije
(Rehearsals 1-2)
• Keyboard/Mallets – One movement from (2-4 mallet) J.S Bach: Sonatas and Partitas for Solo
Violin or Suites for Solo Cello – no repeats; Four mallet: an advanced level marimba solo of
choice; Excerpt on xylophone: Gershwin – Porgy and Bess (opening passage); One additional
contrasting excerpt of your choice
• Timpani – Timpani Solo of student choice (advanced-level timpani solo/etude of your choice
which demonstrates basic stroke/tone production and rolls at various dynamics); Excerpt from
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 – Movement (2 before T to 3 before U); One additional
contrasting excerpt of your choice
• Multi-Percussion – Full length recording of a solo work of choice
• Drumset – Sample of your time playing/soloing in at least two contrasting styles (may be done
with a play-along recording or live band)
• Global Music – A demonstration of your understanding of basic tones, sense of groove/feel
and clear communication of style.

Note: Applicant’s audition and application will be reviewed by a committee of faculty members within
the applicant’s performing area.

Graduate Placement Exams

Placement examinations in Music History and Music Theory are taken after the student has been accepted by
Graduate Admissions. Preparation materials are available on the School of Music website. Placement
examinations must be taken prior to registering for Music History and Music Theory courses.

Results of graduate placement exams determine placement in graduate courses and identify areas in which
remedial work may be necessary. Students are encouraged to study diligently for these examinations. Poor
performance could result in the student being required to take a considerable number of remedial courses.
Students recommended for remedial courses must earn a B- or better in recommended courses before advancing
to a higher-level course.

Music History: The graduate Music History diagnostic examination covers the breadth of Western art music from
the medieval period to the present through a variety of questions evaluating the student’s knowledge of important
composers, works, terms, and concepts.

Music Theory: The graduate Music Theory placement examination assesses the student's competence in harmony,
voice leading, counterpoint, form, and instrumentation.

Appointment of Supervisory Committee

Members of the Supervisory Committee consult with the student in planning their degree program, research, and
recitals; they also administer the qualifying exams and the dissertation essay defense. It is the responsibility of the
student to approach faculty to request that they serve on the Supervisory Committee. Students should submit the
Request for Supervisory Committee form to the Academic Coordinator. The Graduate Studies Committee votes
on and approves Supervisory Committees.

The student's major performance teacher (if tenure-line) serves as the Chair of the Supervisory Committee. If the
performance teacher is not tenure-line, they will serve as the “Director of Recitals.”
DMA Supervisory Committees consist of three faculty members, the majority of whom must be tenure-line
faculty in the School of Music. One member of the Supervisory Committee must be from the area of the student’s
Related Field. The Supervisory Committee must be chosen during the first year of study and before the student
performs any recitals.

Recitals
1. Each student must perform two complete solo recital programs. The Supervisory Committee must
approve the program repertoire prior to the recital.
2. Each student must also complete either a concerto performance with a large instrumental ensemble or a
chamber music recital.
3. Each student is required to perform a lecture recital.

Students must fill out the proper recital forms and register for each recital prior to the semester of the scheduled
recital. Recitals should be a minimum of one hour in length, with the exception of the major work. Degree recitals
should be held in a School of Music performance venue; exceptions are rare and must be approved through an
Exception to Policy.
The Supervisory Committee comprises the Jury for the recitals. Students must be enrolled in private lessons
during semesters in which recitals are given. All incomplete grades must be made up prior to the first day of the
semester in which the lecture recital is scheduled. Recitals must be held before the last day of classes in the Fall
and Spring semesters.

Qualifying Examinations
Written qualifying examinations are required of each DMA student. An examination, or parts of an
examination, may be repeated only once and only at the discretion of the Supervisory Committee. The
qualifying exam must be passed before a student can register for the Dissertation Essay.

Prior to taking the qualifying examination the student must have completed all course work in the subject area
of the exam (including required recitals, with the exception of the lecture recital) and no incompletes may be
outstanding. The student must be enrolled in at least one credit hour during the semester of the examination.
Summer administration of the examinations is allowed if approved through an Exception to Policy.

DMA qualifying examinations will be given in the major area and the Related Field. The major area
examination is compiled by the Committee Chair with questions submitted from other members of the
Supervisory Committee; the topics are taken from the student's course work and major-specific materials that
a DMA candidate should know. Related Field questions are prepared by the Related Field faculty
representative on the committee (other faculty in the Related Field may be consulted as well).

DMA Dissertation Essay

Each student must complete a scholarly paper of limited scope and length containing traditional research on a
relevant topic (suggested length – 30 pages). Registration for MUSC 7975 DMA Dissertation Essay is allowed
only after qualifying exams have been passed.

The dissertation essay must conform to the standards set forth by the University Thesis Office; however, the
Thesis Office will not edit DMA Dissertation Essays. Editing is primarily the responsibility of the Supervisory
Chair with input from the rest of the committee.

Dissertation Essay Defense

Upon completion of the lecture recital and dissertation essay, each student must successfully complete a one-hour
oral defense before the Supervisory Committee. A copy of the dissertation essay must be distributed to the
Supervisory Committee at least a month prior to the defense; the dissertation advisor must approve the
dissertation essay prior to distribution. Dissertation essay defenses must be held in a neutral location and are open
to the public.
The format is to serve as a defense of the dissertation essay, and to provide clarification or answer lingering
questions left over from the qualifying exams. The exam may also include questions on music history, music
theory, and the history and literature of the student's area of specialization.

All defenses must be held before the last day of classes in the Fall and Spring semesters. Defenses are not to be
held during Final Exam or Reading Days or during Summer semester.