Conducting, DMA
Orchestra, arts, band conducting, choral, conducting, music
Advance your passion for conducting. Designed for aspiring and established conductors, this program includes in-depth career training, substantial and diverse podium experiences, and robust theory and history offerings. Learn from distinguished faculty, gain hands-on experience, and master the art of interpretation and performance.
The Doctor of Musical Arts program in music with a concentration in conducting offers emerging conductors the opportunity to improve their art, craft and scholarship while they become well versed in multiple areas of conducting.
Those pursuing this degree take several common courses regardless of emphasis and become acquainted with the repertory and conducting issues for each medium. Coursework emphasizes a thorough knowledge of repertory, historical and analytical issues; an understanding of efficient, effective rehearsal technique; and clear, expressive conducting technique. Doctoral students of conducting receive considerable individual attention and have regular opportunities to rehearse and to conduct a variety of ensembles.
This program has three tracks:
Choral conducting --- Conductors specializing in choral conducting expand their expertise in global, intercultural approaches to communal vocal musicking and work to integrate this into their pedagogy and rehearsal process. Score study integrates musical, textual and socio-critical analysis, enabling students to gain insights into the unique interpretive demands of each work. Gestural study regards integrated approaches of Western ideals of conducting with Laban movement principles, diverse dance forms and body mapping. Conductors receive a plethora of podium time, both as primary conductors of ASU choral ensembles and as assistant conductors for faculty-led ensembles.
Orchestra and opera conducting --- Conductors specializing in orchestra and opera conducting work closely with the director of orchestras and the artistic director of the music theatre and opera program, and gain a breadth of experience in both orchestral and opera conducting. Time in front of an ensemble is essential; therefore, conductors have significant podium time and twice-weekly studio chamber orchestra classes. Study includes conducting technique, rehearsal technique, leadership, interpretation, score study, audience development and outreach, and career development.
Wind band conducting --- Conductors specializing in wind band conducting study privately with the director of bands and work closely with other members of the conducting faculty, including the director of athletic bands, to develop their conducting and rehearsal skills. If interested, wind band conducting students also have opportunities to enhance their work with athletic bands and, if desired, may elect individual study with the director of athletic bands. Furthermore, many students select integrated conducting as their cognate, allowing for in-depth work in a second conducting area.
The doctoral program lecture recital is a performance with the top pool of wind and percussion players in the School of Music, Dance and Theatre and includes a repertoire chosen from the complete body of wind band and chamber wind literature.
- College/school:
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
- Location: Tempe
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
90 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam and a research paper
Conducting Core (18 credit hours)
Specialty Courses (9 credit hours)
Electives (9 credit hours)
Cognate (integrated conducting, instrumental performance or music learning and teaching) (9 credit hours)
Music History and Music Theory (21 credit hours)
Recitals and Research (24 credit hours)
Other Requirement
Completion of diagnostic exams in musicology and music theory is required of all new graduate music students before course enrollment in the School of Music, Dance and Theatre.
Additional Curriculum Information
Thirty credit hours from a master's degree may be applied toward the 90 credit hour degree requirement. Once admitted to the program, a student is required to be enrolled continuously, excluding summer sessions, until all requirements for the degree have been fulfilled. In general, the student should expect to spend at least the equivalent of three academic years beyond the bachelor's degree in the program. A minimum of two semesters must be spent in continuous full-time residence at ASU. At least 54 credit hours must be completed in residence at ASU.
Students can find additional information on requirements for this degree on the curriculum check sheet located at the bottom of the school's degree page.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants | International applicants | English proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Students seeking admission typically hold an Master of Music degree. Applicants with other degrees are considered if they have received graduate training similar to that normally expected in a MM program.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- School of Music, Dance and Theatre application, including a resume and personal statement; also, from choral applicants, an uploaded writing sample
- prescreening video
- three letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
The School of Music, Dance and Theatre does not offer conditional admission under any circumstances.
Students should see the program website for application deadlines. An applicant may be invited for a live audition after complete application materials have been received, including recommendation letters, transcripts and English proficiency requirements, and prescreening materials have been reviewed. Applicants can find information on the audition on the School of Music, Dance and Theatre auditions page.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Final |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:
- Synthesize performance practices in the context of diverse musical settings and genres.
- Evaluate specific conducting repertoire and pedagogy to support a unique and professional musical style.
- Implement an independent research project that makes a unique contribution to the discipline of music performance.
School of Music, Dance and Theatre graduate programs inspire and empower students to become creative leaders who transform society through music.
Musicians with expertise in performing, composing, teaching and researching; in arts advocacy; and in serving as therapists are in high demand across many sectors and industries, including performing arts organizations, educational institutions, entertainment companies, health and wellness industries, and community arts organizations. Skills such as creativity, collaboration, innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as the focused discipline needed for success as a musician, are all highly valued by a wide variety of companies and professions.
Career examples include:
- artistic director
- arts administrator
- community arts advocate
- performing musician
- public or community school teacher
- university professor
School of Music, Dance and Theatre
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MUSIC E167
mdtadmissions@asu.edu
480-965-5069
Admission deadlines
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
