School of Music Graduate Handook
Revised Fall 2004

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Information for all Graduate Students
    2.1 Graduate Information in the School of Music
    2.2 The Graduate School
    2.3 Degree Programs
    2.4 The Advisor and Advising
    2.5 History Courses
    2.6 Theory Courses
    2.7 Ensembles
    2.8 Graduate Teaching Assistantships

3. Information for M.M. Students
    3.1 Diagnostic Examinations
    3.2 MUS 501 Introduction to Graduate Studies in Music
    3.3 The Major Professor
    3.4 The Advisory Committee
    3.5 Examinations
        3.5.1 Comprehensive Written Examinations
        3.5.2 Oral Examination
    3.6 Recitals
    3.7 Thesis

4. Information for D.M.A. Students
    4.1 Diagnostic Examinations
    4.2 The Major Professor
    4.3 The Advisory Committee
    4.4 Document
        4.4.1 The Composition Document
        4.4.2 The Performance Document
    4.5 Examinations
        4.5.1 Comprehensive Written Examinations
        4.5.2 Oral Examination
    4.6 Recitals
    4.7 Lecture
    4.8 Pedagogy

5. Master of Music Curriculum Outlines
    5.1 Arranging
    5.2 Choral Conducting
    5.3 Composition
    5.4 Musicology
    5.5 Organ Performance/Choral Conducting
    5.6 Performance (except conducting)
    5.7 Performance (Woodwinds Option)
    5.8 Theory
    5.9 Wind Conducting

6. Doctor of Musical Arts Curriculum Outlines
    6.1 Choral Conducting
    6.2 Composition
    6.3 Performance
    6.4 Wind Conducting

Appendix
    A.1 Guidelines for the DMA Document (Performance, Conducting)
    A.2 Guidelines for the DMA Document Prospectus
    A.3 Guidelines for the DMA Lecture

1. INTRODUCTION

This document lists policies and procedures pertinent to the M.M. and D.M.A. degrees in the School of Music at The University of Alabama. It is a supplement to, not a replacement for, the Graduate Catalog of the University. Matters common to all graduate students are described and explained in the Graduate Catalog, not here. Policies and procedures listed here apply only to students enrolled in the M.M. and D.M.A. degree programs.

Most of the material here concerns procedure, although some concerns policy. Material that concerns policy is explained in more detail here than is possible in the Graduate Catalog.

Efforts have been made to avoid duplicating material here from the Graduate Catalog. If a conflict should arise between material here and material in the Graduate Catalog, the Graduate Catalog takes precedence automatically unless otherwise noted.

Generally, students are bound by policies in effect at the time of initial enrollment in a degree program.

2. INFORMATION FOR ALL GRADUATE STUDENTS

2.1 Graduate Information in the School of Music

Current information for graduate students (e.g., announcements of dates and deadlines) is always posted on the graduate bulletin board in the School of Music. The bulletin board is located outside the Main Office, Room 175. Information may also be obtained from the Director of Graduate Studies in Music.

2.2 The Graduate School

Graduate music students are enrolled through the Graduate School of The University of Alabama. The Graduate School is located at 102 Rose Administration Building.

Students should communicate with the Graduate School on most matters pertaining to application for admission, registration, adding/dropping courses, transfer of credit from other institutions, application for candidacy, application for graduation, final submission of theses and Documents, etc.

The Graduate School maintains a schedule of deadlines for submission of required material. Students must adhere rigorously to this schedule.

In particular, students should attend to the following Graduate School matters:

Complete information can be found in the Graduate Catalog.

2.3 Degree Programs

The School of Music offers the Master of Music degree in the following areas:

The School of Music offers the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in the following areas:

2.4 The Advisor and Advising

It is expected that a graduate music student will consult his or her major professor regularly on all matters pertinent to the degree. However, the formal advisor for all graduate music students is the Director of Graduate Studies in Music.  All graduate music students will meet with the Director of Graduate Studies during pre-registration each semester.

2.5 History Courses

Graduate music students are required to enroll for graduate music history courses. Courses which are construed as graduate music history courses are:

Courses that are not counted as graduate history courses:

2.6 Theory Courses

Graduate music students are required to enroll for graduate theory courses. The courses which are construed as graduate theory courses are:

Courses not counted as graduate theory courses are:

Note: No course may be counted more than once to fulfill required hours in theory.

2.7 Ensembles

Several music ensembles carry graduate credit. These courses are numbered between MUA 500 and MUA 569. Students in the M.M. degree program may earn up to two hours of degree credit in graduate-level music ensembles. All M.M. performance majors are required to earn two semester hours of ensemble credit. They must earn at least one hour of ensemble credit in each of two different semesters. Ensemble credits earned beyond the one hour in any given semester or the total of two required for the degree, may be applied to the general elective requirement for the performance concentration as stated in the catalogue (2 hrs. for the M.M.).

Students in the D.M.A. program may earn up to four hours of degree credit with graduate-level music ensembles.

2.8 Graduate Teaching Assistantships

The School of Music offers graduate teaching assistantships (GTAs) to qualified students. Generally, assistantships come in two levels, .25 and .50.

The .50 assistantship covers out-of-state tuition and carries an annual stipend.

The .25 assistantship covers one-half of out-of-state tuition and carries an annual stipend.

Application for GTAs are made by submitting a form to the Director of the School of Music. Forms are available from the Graduate secretary. The nominal deadline for application is April 1 prior to the Fall semester. Most GTAs are awarded prior to the fall term; GTAs commencing in the Spring semester are rare.

3. INFORMATION FOR M.M. STUDENTS

3.1 Diagnostic Examinations

M.M. students must take diagnostic examinations in theory and history. These exams occur on the day before late registration just before classes for the semester begin. Any deficiencies in theory or history revealed by the examinations must be removed, according to instructions from appropriate faculty and the Director of Graduate Studies, before a student will be allowed to enroll in graduate courses in that subject.

3.2 MUS 501 Introduction to Graduate Studies in Music

The MUS 501 course must be taken by all M.M. students in the first fall semester of enrollment.

3.3 The Major Professor

Each M.M. student has a major professor. In Performance (except conducting) and Performance (Woodwinds Option), the major professor is the applied teacher for the major instrument. In Composition, Musicology, and Theory, the major professor is the faculty member with whom a student completes the Thesis.  In Arranging, Choral Conducting, Organ Performance/Choral Conducting, and Wind Conducting the major professor is the director of the degree program. A student’s major professor chairs the student’s advisory committee.

3.4 The Advisory Committee

Each student in the M.M. program will have an advisory committee, to be established before the degree recital (when such is required) or before submission of the thesis (when such is required). The committee will be appointed by the Director of the School of Music.

Students must consult with the Director of Graduate Studies in Music to arrange the appointment of a committee.

The advisory committee will consist of at least four members drawn from the graduate faculty of the School of Music. The membership must always include:

The advisory committee for a student with a thesis requirement (i.e., a student enrolled under Plan I) will have at least five members, one of whom will be a member of the graduate faculty of The University of Alabama who does not hold a faculty appointment in the School of Music.

Members of the Advisory Committee will determine the written comprehensive examination and will grade the examination. Members of the advisory committee will conduct and grade the oral examination.

The Director of Graduate Studies will convene the student's advisory committee as necessary.

3.5 Examinations

3.5.1 Comprehensive Written Examinations

Each M.M. student will take a comprehensive written examination. The examination will be determined by the student's advisory committee and will be based upon (though not limited to) the student's coursework in the M.M. program. The student may take the comprehensive written examination in the final semester of coursework or after all required coursework is completed. The student should consult with the members of the advisory committee while preparing for the examination.

The examination will consist of three parts and will be administered over a period of two days. On the first day students will take examinations in theory and history. Four hours will be allocated for each examination. On the second day students will take an examination in their major area. This examination will be administered in two sections with three hours allocated for each section.

Students must register for MUS 596 Comprehensive Examination at the beginning of the semester during which they plan to take the examination. Any student who fails to register for MUS 596 before the end of the registration period will not be allowed to take the comprehensive examination in that semester.

Examinations are offered only once during each regular semester at times determined by the School of Music. The examination schedule will be announced prior to the start of the semester. Usual dates are mid-October for the fall semester and early March for the spring semester. M.M. comprehensive examinations are held on a Friday and the following Saturday. Comprehensive written exams are not offered during summer terms.

Students who fail the examination must wait until the following fall or spring semester to try again.  Students are allowed two attempts to pass the examination.  At the discretion of the student’s Advisory Committee, a student who is taking the examination of the second time, may be required to repeat only those portions which were failed on the first attempt.  No student will be allowed a second opportunity to pass the very same examination.  New examination materials will be identified and new questions will be formed for each set of examinations.

3.5.2 Oral Examination

Each M.M. student will take an oral examination. For students enrolled under Plan I (thesis), the examination will be a defense of the thesis. For other students under Plan II, the exam will be based upon (though not limited to) the student's coursework in the M.M. program. For those students the oral examination must follow all recitals and lectures required in the degree program and is the final step toward completion of the M.M. degree.

The oral examination may not be taken until the student has passed the written comprehensive examination.

Students must register for MUS 596 Oral Examination at the beginning of the semester during which they plan to take the Oral Examination.  Any student who fails to register for MUS 596 before the end of the late registration period will not be allowed to take the examination in that semester.

Usually, oral examinations occur only during regular fall and spring semesters. A student may schedule an oral examination for the summer term only with the consent of his or her advisory committee and the Director of Graduate Studies in Music.

A student requiring signatures on a thesis should provide all necessary signature pages to his or her advisory committee at the time of the oral examination. Pages must conform exactly to the requirements of the Graduate School.

3.6 Recitals

Most M.M. degree programs require a recital before the degree may be awarded.

In the performance degrees (except conducting), recitals must be preceded by a pre-hearing of the program for a faculty jury from the major area. The jury may vote to pass, fail, or postpone the recital. A student may make no more than three attempts to pass a pre-hearing within a single semester. Pre-hearings are arranged by the major professor and must occur one month before the date of the recital. The M.M. recital must include 55 minutes of music.

Recitals for the composition, conducting, and arranging programs require no pre-hearing.

All recitals are scheduled through the Music Services office. Generally, recitals occur in the Recital Hall; however, organ recitals occur in the Concert Hall, and some other recitals will occur in the Concert Hall when necessary.

3.7 Thesis

Students enrolled under Plan I (composition, theory, musicology) must write a thesis. A student must submit a prospectus to his or her advisory committee; the advisory committee must approve the prospectus before work on the thesis may commence. The thesis must conform to all requirements of the Graduate School for form, length, content, etc. The thesis should be completed while in residence.

4. INFORMATION FOR D.M.A. STUDENTS

4.1 Diagnostic Examinations

D.M.A. students must take diagnostic examinations in theory and history. These exams are administered on the day before late registration, just before classes for the semester begin.

Depending upon the results of the exams, students may be required to enroll for remedial courses, to audit undergraduate courses, or to enroll for specific courses in history or theory.

Students who fail to exhibit adequate writing skills may be required to enroll for MUS 501 "Introduction to Graduate Studies."

4.2 The Major Professor

Each D.M.A. student has a major professor.

In Performance (except conducting), the major professor is the applied teacher for the major instrument, or, in the conducting degrees, the director of the particular degree program.

In Composition, the major professor is the faculty member with whom a student completes the Document. A student's major professor chairs the student's advisory committee.

4.3 The Advisory Committee

Each student in the D.M.A. program will have an advisory committee, to be established before the first degree recital and before submission of the Document prospectus. The committee will be appointed by the Director of the School of Music.

Students must consult with the Director of Graduate Studies in Music to arrange the appointment of a committee.

At its beginning, the advisory committee will consist of five members drawn from the graduate faculty of the School of Music. The membership must always include:

When a student's Document advisory is selected, the Document advisor will join the advisory committee if he or she is not already a member. An advisory committee may not included more than two members from the student's major area.

Before the Document is submitted formally to the advisory committee, the committee will be augmented by a member of the graduate faculty of The University of Alabama who does not hold a faculty appointment in the School of Music.

The members of a student's advisory committee will attend and grade all recitals, lectures, and lecture-recitals required in the student's degree program. A committee member who cannot attend a recital will provide a grade after examining an audio or video recording of the recital. The student must schedule degree activities so that they are accessible to committee members. Grades will be Pass/Fail; a simple majority of "Pass" votes from the advisory committee is necessary for a student to receive a passing grade for the activity.

Members of the advisory committee will approve the Document prospectus and will assist in the preparation of the Document. Members of the advisory committee will determine the written comprehensive examination and will grade the examination. Members of the advisory committee will conduct and grade the oral examination.

The Director of Graduate Studies will convene the student's advisory committee as necessary.

4.4 Document

All D.M.A. students must write a "Document." There are two forms for the Document: one for Composition; one for Performance.

The order of events in the completion of the Document is:

4.4.1 The Composition Document

The student must compose a large original work (medium unspecified) in addition to and distinct form any work done for other degree credit in the D.M.A. program. Work on the Document will be supervised by the major professor (the "document advisor") and the advisory committee. The advisory committee must approve the Document before it can be submitted to the Graduate School.

The student must submit a brief prospectus of the Document to the advisory committee for approval; submission may occur any time after the student has earned twelve hours of degree credit in the D.M.A. program. Approval by the advisory committee must precede further work on the Document. After the prospectus is submitted, the student will meet with the entire advisory committee at which time the student may present further materials and answer questions. After this meeting, the advisory committee may approve the prospectus. The student may begin formal work on the Document after the prospectus is approved.

The Document may be submitted formally to the advisory committee no sooner than six months after the approval of the prospectus. A complete draft of the Document must be submitted at least two months before the Graduate School deadline for submission of theses and dissertations. The committee will meet to discuss the draft and may remand the draft to the student for changes and corrections. When the committee is satisfied with the Document, then the oral examination (defense) can be scheduled. Six credit hours will be awarded for preparation of the Document. The Document composition should be performed.

4.4.2 The Performance Document

The student will have an advisor for the Document drawn from the graduate faculty of the School of Music. The student will select the Document advisor after consultation with the major professor and the Director of Graduate Studies; the Director of Graduate Studies must approve the selection of the Document advisor.

The Document must have a thesis, and that thesis must be defended within the Document. [See Appendix.]

The student must submit a brief prospectus of the Document to the advisory committee for approval; submission may occur any time after the student has earned twelve hours of degree credit in the D.M.A. program. Approval by the advisory committee must precede further work on the Document. The prospectus must contain a summary of content, methodology, sources, etc. The Document topic must demonstrate the candidate's ability to communicate both general and specific information about his or her area of specialization. The material contained in the Document may or may not relate to the recitals, but it must be substantially different from that contained in the public lecture.

After the prospectus is submitted, the student will meet with the entire advisory committee at which time the student may present further materials and answer questions. After this meeting, the advisory committee may approve the prospectus. The student may begin formal work on the Document after the prospectus is approved.

The length of the main body of the prose Document normally is between 60 and 70 double-spaced pages. The advisory committee must approve the Document before it can be submitted to the Graduate School.

 An initial draft of the complete document must be submitted to the advisory committee at least two months before the Graduate School deadline for submission of theses and dissertations. The committee will meet to discuss the draft and may remand the draft to the student for changes and corrections. When the committee is satisfied with the Document, then the oral examination (defense) may be scheduled. Four credit hours will be awarded for preparation of the Document.

The Document advisor will serve as the primary reader for the Document and must approve the Document before the student may submit it to the advisory committee. The Document advisor will consult with the student's major professor as the Document is prepared.

4.5 Examinations

4.5.1 Comprehensive Written Examinations

Each D.M.A. student will take a comprehensive written examination. The examination will be determined by the student's advisory committee and may be based upon (though not limited to) the student's coursework in the D.M.A. program. The student may take the comprehensive written examination in the final semester of coursework or after all required coursework is completed.

The examination will consist of three parts and will be administered over a period of two days. On the first day students will take examinations in theory and history. Four hours will be allocated for each examination. On the seond day students will take an examination in their major area. This examination will be administered in two sections with three hours allocated for each section.

Students must register for MUS 696 Comprehensive Examination at the beginning of the semester during which they plan to take the examination. Any student who fails to register for MUS 696 before the end of the late registration period will not be allowed to take the comprehensive examination in that semester.

Examinations are offered only once during each regular semester at times determined by the School of Music. The exam schedule will be announced prior to the start of a semester. Usual dates are mid-October for the fall semester; early March for the spring semester. The usual times are Friday morning and afternoon for questions in theory and history and the following Saturday for questions in the major area. Comprehensive written exam are not offered during summer terms.

A student who fails the examination must wait until the following semester to try again. Students are allowed two attempts to pass the examination.  At the discretion of the student’s Advisory Committee, a student who is taking the examination for a second time may be required to repeat only those portions which were failed on the first attempt. No student is ever allowed a second opportunity to pass the very same examination. New materials will be identified and new questions formed for each set of examinations.

4.5.2 Oral Examination

Each D.M.A. student will take an oral examination, a defense of the Document. The oral examination must follow all recitals, lectures, and lecture-recitals required in the student's degree program. The oral examination is the final step toward completion of the D.M.A. degree. The oral examination will address the document and related matters.

The oral examination may not be scheduled until the Document is completed in a form considered by the student and the advisory committee to be ready for submission to the Graduate School. The oral examination may not be taken until the student completes successfully the written comprehensive examination. 

Students must register for MUS 696 Oral Examination at the beginning of the semester in which they plan to take the Examination. Any student who fails to register for MUS 696 before the end of the registration period will not be allowed to take the examination in that semester.

Usually, oral examinations occur only during regular fall and spring semesters. A student may schedule an oral examination for the summer term only with the consent of his or her advisory committee and the Director of Graduate Studies in Music.

A student requiring signatures on a Document should provide all necessary signature pages to his or her advisory committee at the time of the examination. Pages must conform to exactly the requirements of the Graduate School.

4.6 Recitals

Recitals will be graded pass/fail by the advisory committee. A simple majority will determine the grade. A student who receives a failing grade for a recital must wait until the following semester to try again.

Pre-hearings for recitals are optional. The decision to hold a pre-hearing is made by the student and his or her major professor.

All recitals are scheduled through the Music Services office. Generally, recitals occur in the Recital Hall; however, organ recitals occur in the Concert Hall, and some other recitals will occur in the Concert Hall when necessary.

Recitals should be scheduled during weekday afternoon times so that they are accessible to advisory committee members and others. Obviously, conducting recitals and composition recitals involving significant forces will be scheduled as necessary.

A student may recieve credit for no more than one recital and/or lecture-recital during a single semester.

In Performance: At lease three (3) recitals are required. In conducting, one of these must be a lecture-recital.

In Composition: The student must present a full recital, or the equivalent in length, of music written at the D.M.A. level, exclusive of work done on the document.

4.7 Lecture

Each D.M.A. student will present a fifty-minute public lecture. The lecture will be graded pass/fail by the advisory committee.

The student must submit a brief proposal for the lecture to the advisory committee, outlining content, methodology, sources, etc. The proposal must be approved by the advisory committee before the lecture may be scheduled.

The lecture topic must demonstrate the candidate's ability to communicate both general and specific information about his or her area of specialization. The material contained in the lecture may or may not relate to the recitals, but it must be substantially different from that contained in the Document.

Lectures are scheduled through the Music Services office in the School of Music and should occur at times so they are accessible by advisory committee members.

4.8 Pedagogy

All D.M.A. students are required to enroll for three hours of pedagogy, appropriate to the major area, at the graduate level. There are pedagogy courses available for some majors. In majors for which no regular pedagogy course is available, students should enroll in MUS 698 "Non Dissertation Research" and work with an appropriate instructor. This course must be arranged through the Director of Graduate Studies in Music.

5. MASTER OF MUSIC CURRICULUM OUTLINES

Note: Hours shown designate minimum requirements.

5.1 Arranging                                                     
MUS 510 Advanced Arranging 6
MUS 519 Composition 3
MUS 505 Studio Techniques in Arranging and Orchestration 3
MUS 518 Schenkerian Analysis 3
MUS 537, 538, or 609 Analysis 3
MUS 502 Film Scoring 3
500-level History 6
MUS 501 Introduction to Graduate Studies 3
500-level Electives (Music or Non-Music) 3
MUS 554 Proseminar in Jazz History 3
MUS 559 Jazz Ensemble 2
Total: 38

Other requirements: a recital, comprehensive written and oral examinations

5.2 Choral Conducting
MUS 592 Advanced Choral Conducting 9
MUS 571-572 Choral Literature 4
MUS 501 Introduction to Graduate Studies 3
500-level Theory/History (at least 6 hours in each) 12
MUA 563 University Singers (2 semesters) 2
Electives 6
Total: 36

Other requirements: a recital, comprehensive oral and written examinations

5.3 Composition
MUS 519-520 Composition 6
Thesis 6
MUS 501 Introduction to Graduate Studies 3
500-level Applied Music 3
500-level Theory/History (at least 6 hours in each) 12
500-level Electives (Music or Non-Music) 6
Total: 36

Other requirements: a recital, comprehensive written examinations, an oral defense of the thesis

5.4 Musicology
MUS 515 Seminar in Musicology or 3 hours of MUS 598 Research Not Related to Thesis with one of the musicology faculty 3
Seminars/Proseminars in Musicology 12
Thesis 6
MUS 501 Introduction to Graduate Studies 3
500-level Theory 6
500-level Electives (at least 3 hours in music) 6
Total: 36

Other requirements: a public lecture, comprehensive written examinations, an oral defense of the thesis

5.5 Organ Performance/Choral Conducting
MUA 572 Applied Organ 12
MUS 592 Advanced Choral Conducting 6
MUS 593 Advanced Orchestral Conducting 3
MUS 571-572 Choral Literature 6
MUS 577-578 Organ Literature 6
MUS 501 Introduction to Graduate Studies 3
500-level Theory/History (at least 6 hours in each) 12
Total: 48

Other requirements: recitals in organ and choral conducting, comprehensive oral and written examinations.

5.6 Performance (except conducting)
500-level Applied Music in the Major Area 14
MUS 501 Introduction to Graduate Studies 3
500-level Theory/History (at least 6 hours in each) 12
500-level Electives (Music or Non-Music) 5
500-level Ensembles 2
Total: 36

Other requirements: a recital, comprehensive oral and written examinations

Note: Voice majors must take MUS 545 Graduate Vocal Pedagogy (3 hrs.) and consequently are required to earn only 2 hrs. of elective credit.

5.7 Performance (Woodwinds Option)
500-level Applied Music (Major) 12
500-level Applied Music (Secondary) 8
MUS 501 Introduction to Graduate Studies 3
500-level Theory/History (at least 6 hours in each) 12
500-level ensemble 2
Total: 37

Other requirements: a recital on the major instrument, a half-recital (or equivalent) on a secondary instrument, comprehensive oral and written examinations.

5.8 Theory
500-level Theory (9 hours must come from any three of the following four courses: MUS 518 Schenkerian Analysis, MUS 608 Advanced Schenkerian Analysis, MUS 538 Serial Music, MUS 609 Atonal Music) 12
Thesis 6
MUS 501 Introduction to Graduate Studies 3
500-level Applied Music 3
500-level History 6
500-level Electives (Music or Non-Music) 6
Total: 36

Other requirements: a public lecture, comprehensive written examinations, an oral defense of the thesis

5.9 Wind Conducting
MUS 594 Advanced Band Conducting 3
MUS 564-565 Wind Ensemble Practicum 4
MUS 563 Projects in Wind Music 2
MUS 561-562 Wind Literature 6
500-level Applied Music 3
MUS 501 Introduction to Graduate Studies 3
500-level Theory/History (at least 6 Hours in each) 12
Total: 33

Other requirements: a recital, comprehensive oral and written examinations.

6. DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS CURRICULUM OUTLINES

6.1 Choral Conducting
MUS 592 Advanced Choral Conducting (3 semesters) 9
MUS 593 or 594 Advanced Orch/Instrumental Conducting 3
MUS 651 Choral Conducting Pedagogy 3
MUS 674 Topics in Choral Literature (repeatable for credit) 4
MUA 501 Secondary Applied - Voice 2
MUS 642 Advanced Vocal Pedagogy 3
500- and/or 600-level Theory/History (9 hours each) 18
500- and/or 600-level Electives (Music or Non-Music) 7
MUS 699 Document Research 4
Total: 53

Other requirements: Two recitals, a lecture-recital, a lecture, comprehensive written examinations, an oral defense of the Document

6.2 Composition
MUS 619-620 Composition 16
MUS 699 Document 6
500- and/or 600-level Theory/History (9 hours each) 18
MUS 514 Pedagogy of Theory 3
500- and/or 600-level Electives (Music or Non-Music) 7
Total: 50

Other requirements: A recital, a lecture, comprehensive written examinations, an oral defense of the Document

6.3 Performance
600-level Applied Music 16
MUS 699 Document Research 4
500-and/or 600-level Theory/History (9 hours each) 18
500 or 600 level Pedagogy Appropriate to Major 3
500- and/or 600-level Electives (music or non-music) 7
Total: 48

Other requirements: At least three (3) recitals, a lecture, comprehensive written examinations, an oral defense of the Document

6.4 Wind Conducting
MUA 552 Wind Ensemble (2 semesters) 2
MUS 568 Seminar in Wind Literature (Chamber Forms) 2
MUS 569 Seminar in Wind Literature (Large Forms) 3
MUS 592 Advanced Choral Conducting 3
MUS 650 Instrumental Conducting Pedagogy 3
MUS 675 Topics in Wind Literature 2
MUS 694 Adv Instrumental Conducting (2 semesters) 6
500- and/or 600-level theory/history (9 hours each) 18
500- and/or 600-level electives (music or non-music) 7
MUS 699 Document Research 4
Total: 53

Other requirements: Three (3) recitals: one full, memorized concert with the wind ensemble; the equivalent of one additional memorized concert through partial programs with the wind ensemble, the symphonic band, and/or the contemporary ensemble; one lecture-recital [60 minutes]; comprehensive written examinations; an oral defense of the document.

APPENDIX

A.1 GUIDELINES FOR THE DMA DOCUMENT (PERFORMANCE, CONDUCTING)

The following is a list of guidelines for advising students on their DMA documents. Most of what follows is drawn from elsewhere in this handbook.

  1. The candidate will select a document advisor from among the graduate faculty. The document advisor must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.
  2. The document must have a thesis and the thesis must be defended in the document. A thesis may be defined as a proposition; an original point of view; or an hypothesis. This thesis should constitute the purpose of the document as outlined in a statement of purpose. Defending the thesis may be construed as explaining, or otherwise demonstrating the validity of the thesis. Evidence must be presented which supports the thesis, or in unusual cases, disproves it. This evidence must be presented in a logical, orderly, and organized fashion so that it is clear to the readers. The oral defense must respond to any attacks on this evidence, the conclusions, and the general quality of presentation.
  3. A Prospectus must be submitted to the advisory committee for approval. (See Separate guidelines for the prospectus.)
  4. The document topic is not directly related to the lecture.
  5. The candidate will meet with the advisory committee for discussion of the prospectus, at which time suggestions will be made for improvements and even large-scale changes. This will require a meeting of the advisory committee.
  6. The document will be in prose format, following some standard and approved guidebook. Traditionally, the document consists of 60-70 pages, exclusive of bibliography, table of contents, and paeans to the document advisory.
  7. According to the Graduate Handbook a full draft of the document is to be presented to the advisory committee a full two months in advance of the Graduate School deadline for submission. Permission for an extension may be granted only by vote of the full committee. It is the responsibility of the document advisor to keep the advisory committee informed of progress, or lack thereof.
  8. The oral defense is generally limited to the document, but not necessarily so. Questions on related matters are entirely appropriate.
  9. If there are substantial changes recommended during the oral defense, the document will not be forwarded, nor will the forms be signed until a complete revision has been presented to the advisory committee.

A.2 GUIDELINES FOR THE DMA DOCUMENT PROSPECTUS

  1. The prospectus will begin with a clear, well-defined working title. The title may change as work on the document progresses.
  2. The prospectus will begin with a concise, complete statement of purpose, i.e. the thesis and how the thesis will be defended.
  3. The next section of the prospectus will reveal how the candidate intends to proceed. Some useful questions might be:
  1. The next section will include a broad and general outline of the paper. Obviously, this may change as the document progresses, but it will at least give the advisory committee some idea of the organization of the document.
  2. The prospectus concludes with a preliminary bibliography.
  3. The candidate is urged to consult with all members of the advisory committee prior to formal submission of the prospectus.
  4. Any large-scale changes in the prospectus after submission should be handled through a written petition to the advisory committee.
  5. The prospectus should be written in correct, formal English, and should be taken as an indication of the candidate's writing skills.

A.3 GUIDELINES FOR THE DMA LECTURE

Handbook: "Each DMA student will present a fifty-minute public lecture. The lecture will be graded pass/fail by the advisory committee."

  1. The purpose of the lecture is to demonstrate that the candidate is capable of researching, organizing, presenting, and communicating information in a coherent and meaningful way. Both lecture content and presentation will be evaluated by the advisory committee.
  2. A good lecture will have a thesis, or central point, to bind it together; will be focused, well-organized, and clearly presented; will place the topic in context; and will limit itself to information that is relevant to the topic and meaningful to any ensuing discussion.
  3. The lecture will make specific points and support them with specific examples, including musical examples and/or handouts.
  4. Any audio-visual aids will be an asset to the presentation.
  5. The candidate should submit a written proposal for the lecture consisting of a concise statement describing the topic of the lecture. The proposal should explain briefly what the candidate intends to do and should discuss the techniques that the student plans to implement. A brief bibliography should accompany the proposal. A copy of the proposal will be submitted to each member of the advisory committee prior to approval.
  6. The student is urged to consult with all members of the advisory committee (and with non-advisory committee members) of the faculty for guidance in preparation. The candidate may wish to do a dry-run of the lecture prior to its formal presentation.
  7. An effort should be made by both the candidate and the advisory committee to have other faculty and students in attendance during the lecture.
  8. Members of the advisory committee and the audience should be encouraged to ask questions during and after the lecture.