Sample Questions for the Comprehensive Exam in Composition (Doctor of Musical Arts)
Students enrolled in the Doctor of Musical Arts degree must answer
four questions in the major area on their comprehensive examinations.
The following are sample questions for students enrolled in the Doctor
of Musical Arts degree in Composition.
- Discuss several approaches to pitch structure that have emerged
since 1945. Specifically, what techniques for dealing with this
element of compositional structure have been important? Please refer
to specific composers and works.
- Discuss counterpoint in your compositions. In what ways do you
contol the vertical and horizontal dimensions of your music? In
detail, compare your contrapuntal techniques to least one other late
20th century composer. Cite specific works and provide detailed
information about the composer's contrapuntal designs.
- Discuss "spectral composition." What are the musical and
psychoacoustical principles underlying this philosophy? Please refer
to specific composers and works.
- Discuss orchestration as a structural attribute in your music. In
what ways do you correlate timbre and other musical attributes (e.g.,
pitch, rhythm, register, pacing, or the like)?
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