The DMA degree programs at CU Boulder are modeled after the guiding principles outlined by the National Association of Schools of Music. As defined by the NASM, the Doctor of Musical Arts degree is intended for those seeking “the highest level of professional practice emphasizing the creation or performance of musical works and the application and transmission of knowledge about musical works, or pedagogy... Creation, performance, and teaching are highly disciplined efforts; inquiry and investigation, and often research and scholarship, are components of performance practice” (NASM Handbook, 2016-17: 135).

This professional degree is intended for composers, conductors and performers who possess both creative and scholarly abilities. Graduates of this program go on to careers as composers and performers in solo, chamber music, opera, jazz or orchestra, or as choral, jazz, band and/or orchestral conductors. A particular focus of the DMA is the preparation for a career as a college, conservatory or university teacher. Students work closely with an advisor in developing a degree plan that reflects their needs and interests. This degree requires a minimum of 30 hours beyond the master’s level, including 12 hours in seminar and other coursework, and a minimum of 18 hours of performance and written projects (constituting the dissertation portion of the degree).

For outlines of specific programs, visit the college's Degrees webpage or contact the Music Graduate Studies office.

Requirements

Prerequisites

Entrance requirements include a master's degree in music or demonstrated background comparable to that of the master of music degree at this university. All graduate applicants must complete an audition, interview, or some other demonstration of their ability in the major field. If at all possible, a visit to the campus is strongly encouraged. As part of the application, composition majors should upload representative scores and recordings (to the digital portfolio tab on the application), and a list of completed compositions. Performance majors should submit a repertoire list and arrange for a personal audition and interview, if at all possible. Some areas require applicants to send a pre-audition screening recording of their performance. Conducting majors must upload a video of a performance. All DMA applicants must also submit a scholarly writing sample that demonstrates ability in critical thinking, appropriate research techniques, and skill in the cogent use of English. For full details concerning audition and application requirements, visit the college's Prospective Graduate Students webpage.

Course Requirements

Students must take a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework, of which at least 18 credit hours are dissertation projects. Students take two doctoral topic classes (at the 6000 level), one each in musicology and music theory; prerequisites are stipulated by the theory and musicology faculties. Some areas require specific coursework prior to or in conjunction with work on dissertation projects. In other instances students may be advised to take coursework in preparation for the comprehensive examination. Applied music instruction may be elected for the duration of the residency requirement.

Advisory Committee

Each DMA program is directed by a five-member advisory committee headed by the major advisor, who is usually the student's main studio teacher. At least one member must hold the PhD degree in musicology, music theory, composition or music education.

Residence Requirements

The minimum residence requirement is six semesters of work beyond the attainment of an acceptable bachelor's degree. Two semesters of residence credit may be allowed for a master's degree from another institution of approved standing, but at least four semesters of residence credit, two of which must be consecutive in one academic year, must be earned for coursework and/or dissertation work taken at this university.

Not more than one-half semester of residence credit may be earned in a summer session. Students must be registered full-time to earn residence credit. For employed students, only those with one-fourth time or less in work that does not contribute directly to their degree program may earn full residence credit.

Continuous Registration

After the residence requirements for the doctor of musical arts program have been satisfied, a student must enroll for fall and spring semesters of each year until attaining the degree. If a student has enrolled in all required dissertation courses but is still working on dissertation projects to complete the degree requirements, they should enroll in TMUS 8019, or TMUS 8029, until the degree is completed.

Degree Plans

A degree plan approved by the advisory committee will be presented to the associate dean for graduate studies at the beginning of the second semester of residence. The student's major professor is responsible for helping the student formulate this plan. The plan should include members of the student's doctoral committee, projected remedial and supporting coursework, proposed dissertation projects, and tentative dates for the comprehensive and final examinations. In consultation with the major advisor, the student should form the five-member faculty advisory committee by the third semester in residence. 

The following degree plans are available for the doctor of musical arts degree:
  • Brass Performance and Pedagogy
  • Percussion Performance and Pedagogy
  • Composition
  • Conducting and Literature - Choral
  • Conducting and Literature - Orchestral
  • Conducting and Literature - Wind
  • Jazz Performance
  • Solo Piano - Thesis
  • Solo Piano - Non-thesis
  • Collaborative Piano
  • String Performance
  • Voice Performance and Pedagogy
  • Woodwinds Performance and Pedagogy

Learn more about degree plans on the College of Music's Degrees webpage.

Language Requirement

Brass + percussion; collaborative piano; choral conducting; orchestral conducting; voice; and musicology students are required to demonstrate foreign language proficiency before being allowed to take the comprehensive examination. The choice of the language(s) must be approved by the student’s advisory committee. Specific requirements include:

  • Brass + percussion: Passing score on a foreign language repertoire terms exam
  • Collaborative piano: instrumental emphasis: One year of French, German, or Italian; vocal emphasis: One year of two languages (selected from French, German, or Italian)
  • Choral conducting: Two years of one language
  • Orchestral conducting: Two years of one language
  • Voice: One year of three languages. Students may petition the voice faculty for an exception to this policy. Please see the DMA Voice Performance & Pedagogy degree plan for more information.
  • Musicology: Two years of two languages or specialty language training (with approval)

Dissertation

The DMA dissertation consists of a specified number of performances, projects, and documents. The student's permanent advisory committee must approve all dissertation projects.

Time Limit

DMA degree work must be completed within six years of first registration.

Program Tracks

Brass Performance and Pedagogy

Academic Requirements
MUSC 6822Advanced Studies in Musicology3
MUSC 6801Advanced Topics in Music Theory3
Major Area
Applied Lessons (PMUS 6XX6)6
MUSC 5336Brass Pedagogy0-2
MUSC 5036Brass Literature0-2
MUSC 6203Psychology of Music Learning0-2
Dissertation Projects
TMUS 8219Dissertation Project 1 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition)3
TMUS 8229Dissertation Project 2 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition, Vocal Pedagogy)3
TMUS 8239Diss Proj 3 (Chamber Music Recital, Vocal Pedagogy Project, Choral Project, Composition Recital)3
or TMUS 8259 Dissertation Project 5 (Research Lecture)
TMUS 8249Diss Proj 4 (Chamber Music Recital, Choral Project, Composition Recital, Wind/Percussion Practicum)3
TMUS 8329Document/Pedagogy Project6
Total Credit Hours30-36

Collaborative Piano

Academic Requirements
MUSC 6801Advanced Topics in Music Theory3
MUSC 6822Advanced Studies in Musicology3
Major Area
PMUS 66366
Literature Course and Seminar6
Voice Literature I: French Song Literature and Oratorio/Concert Solo Literature
German Song Literature
Collaborative Literature for Piano with Winds, Brass, and Percussion
Collaborative Literature for Piano with Strings
Elective Courses2-4
Opera Coaching for Pianists
Basso-Continuo Accompaniment
Harpsichord
PMUS 5616
Dissertation Projects
TMUS 8219Dissertation Project 1 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition)3
TMUS 8229Dissertation Project 2 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition, Vocal Pedagogy)3
TMUS 8239Diss Proj 3 (Chamber Music Recital, Vocal Pedagogy Project, Choral Project, Composition Recital)3
TMUS 8249Diss Proj 4 (Chamber Music Recital, Choral Project, Composition Recital, Wind/Percussion Practicum)3
TMUS 8259Dissertation Project 5 (Research Lecture)3
TMUS 8269Dissertation Project 6 (Research Lecture)3
Total Credit Hours38-40

Composition

Academic Requirements
MUSC 6822Advanced Studies in Musicology3
MUSC 6041Advanced Orchestration3
MUSC 6051Pedagogy of Music Theory3
Composition and Dissertation Projects
TMUS 8119Composition Project 14
TMUS 8129Composition Project 24
TMUS 8249Diss Proj 4 (Chamber Music Recital, Choral Project, Composition Recital, Wind/Percussion Practicum)3
TMUS 8329Document/Pedagogy Project4
TMUS 8339Major Composition6
Total Credit Hours30

Conducting and Literature - Choral

Academic Requirements
MUSC 6801Advanced Topics in Music Theory3
MUSC 6822Advanced Studies in Musicology3
Major Area
MUSC 5156Symposium in Choral Music4
PMUS 65366
Dissertation Projects
TMUS 8219Dissertation Project 1 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition)3
TMUS 8229Dissertation Project 2 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition, Vocal Pedagogy)3
TMUS 8239Diss Proj 3 (Chamber Music Recital, Vocal Pedagogy Project, Choral Project, Composition Recital)3
TMUS 8259Dissertation Project 5 (Research Lecture)3
TMUS 8319Repertoire Project3
TMUS 8329Document/Pedagogy Project3
Total Credit Hours34

Conducting and Literature - Wind

Academic Requirements
MUSC 6801Advanced Topics in Music Theory3
MUSC 6822Advanced Studies in Musicology3
Major Area
PMUS 65366
Dissertation Projects
TMUS 8219Dissertation Project 1 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition)3
TMUS 8229Dissertation Project 2 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition, Vocal Pedagogy)3
TMUS 8249Diss Proj 4 (Chamber Music Recital, Choral Project, Composition Recital, Wind/Percussion Practicum)3
TMUS 8259Dissertation Project 5 (Research Lecture)3
TMUS 8269Dissertation Project 6 (Research Lecture)3
TMUS 8319Repertoire Project3
Total Credit Hours30

Harpsichord

Academic Requirements
MUSC 6801Advanced Topics in Music Theory3
MUSC 6822Advanced Studies in Musicology3
Major Area
PMUS 65866
Historical Performance Practice1-3
Basso-Continuo Accompaniment
Performance Practice of Early Music
Early Music Ensembles
Dissertation Projects
TMUS 8219Dissertation Project 1 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition)3
TMUS 8229Dissertation Project 2 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition, Vocal Pedagogy)3
TMUS 8239Diss Proj 3 (Chamber Music Recital, Vocal Pedagogy Project, Choral Project, Composition Recital)3
TMUS 8339Major Composition (Recording Project)4-6
TMUS 8329Document/Pedagogy Project6
Total Credit Hours32-36

Jazz Studies

Academic Requirements
MUSC 6801Advanced Topics in Music Theory3
MUSC 6822Advanced Studies in Musicology3
Major Area
Applied Jazz Lessons (PMUS 68X6)4
MUSC 7046Seminar in Jazz Literature3
EMUS 5427Jazz Ensemble2
EMUS 5437Jazz Combo2
MUSC 5256Jazz Studies Administration and Pedagogy0-3
Dissertation Projects
TMUS 8219Dissertation Project 1 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition)3
TMUS 8229Dissertation Project 2 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition, Vocal Pedagogy)3
TMUS 8239Diss Proj 3 (Chamber Music Recital, Vocal Pedagogy Project, Choral Project, Composition Recital)3
TMUS 8259Dissertation Project 5 (Research Lecture)3
TMUS 8319Repertoire Project3
TMUS 8329Document/Pedagogy Project4
Total Credit Hours36-39

Percussion

Academic Requirements
MUSC 6801Advanced Topics in Music Theory3
MUSC 6822Advanced Studies in Musicology3
Major Area
PMUS 66268
MUSC 5026Percussion Literature2
Dissertation Projects
TMUS 8219Dissertation Project 1 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition)3
TMUS 8229Dissertation Project 2 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition, Vocal Pedagogy)3
TMUS 8239Diss Proj 3 (Chamber Music Recital, Vocal Pedagogy Project, Choral Project, Composition Recital)3
TMUS 8249Diss Proj 4 (Chamber Music Recital, Choral Project, Composition Recital, Wind/Percussion Practicum)3
TMUS 8319Repertoire Project3
TMUS 8329Document/Pedagogy Project4
Total Credit Hours35

Piano (Non-Thesis)

Academic Requirements
MUSC 6801Advanced Topics in Music Theory3
MUSC 6822Advanced Studies in Musicology3
Major Area
PMUS 66366
Seminars in Piano Lit4
Seminar in Piano Literature
Keyboard Literature 1
Keyboard Literature 2
Graduate Piano Pedagogy2
Piano Pedagogy Group Techniques
Piano Pedagogy: Intermediate Literature
Research: Piano Literature and Pedagogy
Dissertation Projects
TMUS 8219Dissertation Project 1 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition)3
TMUS 8229Dissertation Project 2 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition, Vocal Pedagogy)3
TMUS 8239Diss Proj 3 (Chamber Music Recital, Vocal Pedagogy Project, Choral Project, Composition Recital)3
TMUS 8249Diss Proj 4 (Chamber Music Recital, Choral Project, Composition Recital, Wind/Percussion Practicum)3
TMUS 8259Dissertation Project 5 (Research Lecture)3
TMUS 8269Dissertation Project 6 (Research Lecture)3
Total Credit Hours36

Piano (Thesis)

Academic Requirements
MUSC 6801Advanced Topics in Music Theory3
MUSC 6822Advanced Studies in Musicology3
Major Area
PMUS 66366
Seminars in Piano Literature 4
Seminar in Piano Literature
Keyboard Literature 1
Keyboard Literature 2
Graduate Piano Pedagogy 2
Piano Pedagogy Group Techniques
Piano Pedagogy: Intermediate Literature
Research: Piano Literature and Pedagogy
Dissertation Projects
TMUS 8219Dissertation Project 1 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition)3
TMUS 8239Diss Proj 3 (Chamber Music Recital, Vocal Pedagogy Project, Choral Project, Composition Recital)3
TMUS 8259Dissertation Project 5 (Research Lecture)3
TMUS 8229Dissertation Project 2 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition, Vocal Pedagogy)3
or TMUS 8249 Diss Proj 4 (Chamber Music Recital, Choral Project, Composition Recital, Wind/Percussion Practicum)
or TMUS 8269 Dissertation Project 6 (Research Lecture)
TMUS 8329Document/Pedagogy Project6
Total Credit Hours36

String Performance

Academic Requirements
MUSC 6801Advanced Topics in Music Theory3
MUSC 6822Advanced Studies in Musicology3
Major Area
Applied Lessons (PMUS 6XX6)6
Dissertation Projects
TMUS 8219Dissertation Project 1 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition)3
TMUS 8229Dissertation Project 2 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition, Vocal Pedagogy)3
TMUS 8239Diss Proj 3 (Chamber Music Recital, Vocal Pedagogy Project, Choral Project, Composition Recital)3
TMUS 8259Dissertation Project 5 (Research Lecture)3
TMUS 8319Repertoire Project3
TMUS 8329Document/Pedagogy Project4
Total Credit Hours31

Voice Performance and Pedagogy

Academic Requirements
MUSC 6801Advanced Topics in Music Theory3
MUSC 6822Advanced Studies in Musicology3
Major Area
PMUS 6726Voice6
Dissertation Projects
TMUS 8219Dissertation Project 1 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition)3
TMUS 8229Dissertation Project 2 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition, Vocal Pedagogy)3
TMUS 8239Diss Proj 3 (Chamber Music Recital, Vocal Pedagogy Project, Choral Project, Composition Recital)3
TMUS 8269Dissertation Project 6 (Research Lecture)3
TMUS 8279Performance Research Document 13
TMUS 8329Document/Pedagogy Project3
Total Credit Hours30

Woodwind Performance and Pedagogy

Academic Requirements
MUSC 6801Advanced Topics in Music Theory3
MUSC 6822Advanced Studies in Musicology3
Major Area
Applied Lessons (PMUS 6XX6)6
MUSC 5346Woodwind Pedagogy0-2
MUSC 5666Chamber Music Literature: Woodwinds0-2
MUSC 6203Psychology of Music Learning0-2
Dissertation Projects
TMUS 8219Dissertation Project 1 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition)3
TMUS 8229Dissertation Project 2 (Solo Recital, Choral Concert, Composition, Vocal Pedagogy)3
TMUS 8239Diss Proj 3 (Chamber Music Recital, Vocal Pedagogy Project, Choral Project, Composition Recital)3
TMUS 8249Diss Proj 4 (Chamber Music Recital, Choral Project, Composition Recital, Wind/Percussion Practicum)3
TMUS 8329Document/Pedagogy Project6
Total Credit Hours30-36