Music (Performance), DMA
Bass, Brass, Horn, Keyboard, Organ, Percussion, Strings, Woodwind, arts, piano, solo, voice
Reach your highest level of academic and artistic achievement by immersing yourself in a dynamic musical environment that showcases your creativity and passion. You'll have countless performance opportunities to refine your skills and shine as a performer.
The Doctor of Musical Arts program in music with a concentration in performance is a professional degree designed for advanced musicians seeking high-level performance instruction and preparation for teaching positions at the university level.
Students collaborate closely with faculty mentors to achieve professional performance standards through individual recitals, chamber music, and participation in ensembles such as wind bands, orchestras, choirs, brass, jazz, musical theatre and opera, depending on their area of emphasis.
On- and off-campus performance opportunities enhance students' knowledge and abilities, preparing them to become leaders in their musical communities through teaching, performance or arts advocacy. Mentorship from faculty and distinguished guest artists supports their musical growth, while students serve as role models and mentors for their peers in performances, pedagogy and community engagement opportunities.
The program also fosters collaboration with music scholars, theorists, composers, educators, dancers and theatre artists, providing a diverse range of experiences. Students gain essential skills for a successful career, including audition preparation, networking, organizational strategies, opportunity creation and cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset.
- College/school:
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
- Location: Tempe
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
90 credit hours, a research paper, a written comprehensive exam and an oral comprehensive exam
Required Core (4 credit hours)
MUP 727 Studio Instruction (4)
Performance Concentration (24 credit hours)
MUP 727 Studio Instruction (12)
MUP 796 Solo Performance (12)
Emphasis Area Coursework (23 credit hours)
Music History and Music Theory (27 credit hours)
Research (12 credit hours)
MUP 792 Research (12)
Culminating Experience (0)
Research paper in the form of a bound document
Additional Curriculum Information
Students select an area of emphasis from the following: piano pedagogy, collaborative piano, instrumental, keyboard and voice. Emphasis coursework depends on the area selected. Students should work in consultation with their academic advisor in the development of their plan of study.
The performance concentration requires at least three recitals after admission to the program and a research paper. Five recitals are required for the collaborative piano emphasis.
Completion of diagnostic exams in musicology and music theory is required of all new graduate music students before enrollment in the School of Music, Dance and Theatre.
Thirty credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree may be applied toward the 90 credit hour degree requirement with approval from the academic unit and the Graduate College. 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.
Vocalists: Placement tests in foreign language diction are required upon entry into the program. Students who are judged to be deficient in diction are required to complete and pass a diction review course.
Additional information on degree requirements for this degree is available on the curriculum check sheet located at the bottom of the school's program 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 U.S. bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution, or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from an institution in another country that is officially recognized by that country. Students seeking admission typically hold a Master of Music degree. Applicants with other degrees are considered if they have received graduate training similar to that of a Master of Music program.
Applicants must have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have 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
- School of Music, Dance and Theatre application, including a resume, personal statement and repertoire list
- official transcripts
- prescreening recording
- three letters of recommendation
- teaching demonstration video (piano pedagogy applicants)
- writing sample (solo piano and piano pedagogy applicants)
- 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. To meet English proficiency requirements, students should have a TOEFL iBT score of at least 80, an IELTS overall band score of at least 6.5, or a Pearson Test of English score of at least 60.
Students should see the program website for application deadlines.
After the applicant's complete application materials are received, including recommendation letters, transcripts and English proficiency, and a review has been conducted of prescreening materials, an applicant may be invited for a live audition. Information about the audition may be found on the school website.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Final |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 10/01 | 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, demonstrating mastery with the literature of one's instrument.
- Assess an instrument’s repertoire and pedagogy to develop a unique and professional musical style.
- Implement an independent research project that makes a unique contribution to the discipline of music performance.
Musicians with expertise in performing, composing, teaching, researching, arts advocacy and 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 range of companies and professions. The School of Music, Dance and Theatre graduate programs inspire and empower students to become creative leaders who transform society through music.
Career examples include:
- arts administrator
- community arts advocate
- composer for film, video games and television
- music therapist
- 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.
