University of Miami  
Phillip and Patricia Frost
School of Music

Graduate Choral Conducting Program - Doctoral Degree

Introduction

Guidelines
| Entrance Requirements and Placement Examination | | Course Work | | Tool Subjects | | Qualifying Examinations | | Supervisory Committee | | Recitals | | Research Credits | | Candidacy | | DMA Doctoral Essay Proposal Approval | | Doctoral Essay | | Oral Defense of Doctoral Essay |

Curriculum Guide

Course Guide

Guidelines for Graduate Recitals

Suggested Research Proposal Format

Doctoral Flow Chart


Introduction

The Choral Studies Program at the University of Miami is committed to musical excellence. The graduate curriculum is designed to build a well-rounded conductor / teacher, drawing on the inherent musical and personal strengths of the graduate conducting student.

The conducting program accepts a limited number of students who pursue a variety of different professional directions, including education and church music. To develop the musicianship and skills which will be important for the student's future professional success, graduate courses are organized in the areas of literature and score study, the choral/vocal instrument, and conducting and teaching.

Guidelines for Doctoral Degree Students

Entrance Requirements and Placement Examinations

Applicants for the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Choral Conducting must submit all appropriate forms for admission to the University of Miami and the Frost School of Music. Forms can be obtained by contacting the Frost School of Music Graduate Studies Office. The Graduate Record Examination is also required, as well as a video audition. A successful on-campus audition must be completed prior to full acceptance into the degree program. The audition will include conducting, a writing sample, a demonstration of knowledge in choral literature and music terminology, and a demonstration of either keyboard or vocal proficiency. Placement examinations in music theory and music literature will be administered after admission at an announced time preceding registration for the first semester. The results of these placement exams will assist the student and the student's advisor in the selection of courses. Please consult the Graduate Bulletin for course descriptions. Before registering for each semester, the student should select classes with the advice of the advisor and receive written approval from the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, located in the Frost School of Music Graduate Studies Office in Gusman Hall.

Course Work

The DMA degree requires a minimum of 60 credit hours beyond the Master's degree. The curriculum consists of both required classes and electives related to the student's needs and interests. It is the responsibility of the student, in consultation with the advisor and the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, to select and complete classes in a timely, appropriate order. At least 24 credit hours must be completed in residence.

Tool Subjects

Candidates for the DMA degree are required to show proficiency in at least two of the following areas:

These areas generally relate to research/performance aspects of the recitals and/or the Doctoral Essay. This study should be completed prior to submission of the Doctoral Essay Proposal.

Qualifying Examinations

After completion of 18 credit hours of course work, students will take Qualifying Examinations in music education, music literature, and music theory. These examinations are administered in November and April. Noted deficiencies must be remediated before the next test administration.

Supervisory Committee

The five-member committee consists of three members from the Choral Studies Area plus two members selected from the Music Education, Music Literature, or Music Theory faculty. In special cases, a faculty member from outside the Frost School of Music may serve on the committee. Three members of the committee must be members of the Graduate Faculty. A Committee Chairperson is appointed by the Program Director for Choral Studies. Specific duties of this committee are listed elsewhere in the handbook.

Recitals

Candidates for the DMA in Choral Conducting must present two recitals (the Qualifying Recital requirement of the Frost School of Music is met by successful audition for the program). Specific requirements for each recital should be discussed in detail with the Committee Chairperson the semester prior to each recital date. The recital must be scheduled in consultation with the Committee Chairperson and the Program Director for Choral Studies. Organization of the recital chorus is the student's responsibility. All grad choral students are required to sing in all graduate choral recitals. No summer recitals are allowed. Recitals must occur before November 1 for the Fall Semester or April 1 for the Spring Semester.

1. The recital program must be approved, in advance, by the supervisory committee. Specific requirements relative to musical content should be discussed with the Committee Chairperson. Consult the Checklist for Graduate Choral Conducting Recitals for the steps necessary in scheduling and preparing the recital.

2. The final recital should reflect the content and topic choice of the Doctoral Essay. Preparation of this recital should proceed along the same guidelines as the first recital. Specific requirements for this recital should be discussed with the Committee members. The Doctoral Essay Proposal must be submitted to and approved by the Committee during the semester prior to the final recital.

3. Recording of each recital is to be arranged by the student at least three weeks in advance of each recital. Arrangements can be made by contacting Gusman Hall Recording Services. There is a fee for this recording, to be paid by the student. An official copy of the recital tape, along with five copies of the recital program, are to be given to the Frost School of Music Graduate Studies Office and will be retained as part of the student's permanent file. Fifteen copies of the recital program are to be given to the Choral Studies Office. Preparation of the recital program in accordance with School of Music policy and procedures is the student's responsibility.

Research Credits

DMA candidates will complete 12 to 18 credits of research (MVP 750), of which a maximum of 12 credits may be taken in any one semester (6 are allowed during summer session.)

Candidacy

After completion of course requirements, qualifying examination, and tool subjects, DMA candidates must apply for admission to candidacy prior to the final semester of work. Application forms may be obtained from the theFrost School of Music Graduate Studies Office and should be returned to the Frost School of Music Graduate Studies Office.

DMA Doctoral Essay Proposal Approval

After completion of the qualifying exams, tool subjects, and the first recital, the DMA Essay Proposal is to be approved by the Supervisory Committee. Specific guidelines regarding the content and format for this proposal are given later in this document. The proposal reflects the choice of topic for in-depth academic study and is directly related to the musical content of the final recital. The DMA Essay Proposal, including a complete research bibliography, must be approved by the Supervisory Committee during the semester preceding the final recital. The final version of the proposal must be submitted to the Supervisory Committee two weeks prior to the Proposal Meeting (scheduled in consultation with the entire committee and the School of Music Graduate Studies Office.) During the Proposal Meeting, the Committee will assist the student in further focusing and improving the proposal topic. Once consensus is reached the Committee signs the approval sheet, the student makes any necessary changes, and resubmits the Proposal to the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies (ex-officio member of all Supervisory Committees). This final copy of the Doctoral Proposal is retained as part of the student's permanent file.

Application for Graduation

Application for graduation should be completed at registration for the semester of intended graduation. Application may also be made after registration in the Registrar's Office, provided this is done before the deadline date published in the schedule book for the semester. Should graduation be delayed for any reason, the candidate must reapply for the new graduation date.

DMA Doctoral Essay

It is recommended that A Manual for Writers, by Turabian, be used for format questions regarding mechanical style. Mechanical procedures are the same as for the Ph.D. dissertation. For specific musical questions not answered by Turabian, Words and Music, by Luper and Helm, should be consulted. Students must work closely with the Committee Chairperson on a chapter-by-chapter basis as the paper is completed. The Doctoral Essay, along with the recital performance recordings, serves as the culmination of work for the Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting Degree. Working knowledge of research procedures and techniques should be demonstrated by this paper, as well as a command of academic writing style. The completed Doctoral Essay must be submitted to the Committee at least two weeks prior to the oral defense. Final deadlines are usually two to three weeks prior to the end of the semester. Consult with the Frost School of Music Graduate Studies Office for copying requirements and deadline dates.

Oral Defense of Doctoral Essay

Administered only during the Fall and Spring Semesters, the date for the oral defense of the Doctoral Essay should be scheduled by the student after consulting with the Supervisory Committee and the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. Following the defense, the student will make any necessary changes and prepare the manuscript and copies (according to the specified guidelines) for submission to the Dissertation Secretary (Ferre Building.)

It is the student's responsibility to be aware of all deadlines. Students are strongly urged to submit the doctoral essay to the committee and schedule the defense well in advance of deadlines to avoid delays in graduation.

Curriculum Guide

Residency - A minimum of one ACADEMIC year of residency is required.

Course Work - A minimum of 60 credit hours required beyond the Masters degree.

The following is a list of credit hour requirements for each area of study. The student, in consultation with the Advisor/Committee Chairperson and the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, is responsible for fulfilling all requirements in a timely and appropriate manner. Awareness of when and how often a required course is offered is crucial to the planning of the degree program. Courses marked with (*) are generally offered in alternate years. It is the policy of the Conducting Program that graduate students will have opera/musical theatre scenes experience as part of their conducting study.

Applied Music(3-4 credits each semester/18 credits minimum)

Ensemble Participation (4-8 credits minimum)

A variety of options are available. Students should plan to be in a minimum of two ensembles each semester, according to advisement and proficiency. Selections will be made in consultation with the Advisor/ Committee Chairperson and the Program Director for Choral Studies.

Theory-Composition (6-9 credits minimum)

Musicology (14-20 credits minimum)

+These courses will be waived if they have been taken during the M.M. program.

Suggested additional credits in Musicology - Check the schedule book for specific offerings each semester.

In addition, courses on the music of specific composers are occasionally offered. Check the schedule book each semester for specific offerings.

Music Education (8 credits minimum)

Suggested additional credits in Music Education. Check the schedule book for specific offerings each semester.

Electives (1-8 credit minimum)

All recommended and suggested classes listed above can be applied toward the fulfillment of the elective requirement. Many other options are also available. Students must consult with the Advisor/Committee Chairperson, Choral Faculty, Program Director for Choral Studies, and the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies for suggestions and recommendations.

Following is a list of suggested electives which will contribute to the total development of the choral conductor but might not readily come to mind as electives are being considered. The interests and goals of the student should help determine appropriate choices. Not listed here, but also suggested is advance study in Foreign Languages, Dance/Movement, Religion, and Acoustics.

Recitals

A minimum of two recitals are given. Specific requirements regarding each recital are listed elsewhere.

Research Tool Requirements

Candidates for the DMA degree are required to show proficiency in at least two of the following areas:

Doctoral Proposal and Essay (MVP 730) (12-18 credit minimum)

Defense of Doctoral Essay

D.M.A. Course Guide in Choral Conducting

Year I

Fall

Spring

+ MCY 528 Music Bibliography

3

+ MTC 617 Analytical Techniques

3

+ MVP 638 Vocal Pedagogy I

3

MED 562 Psychology of Music

3

* MCY 535 Choral Literature

2

MED 632 Vocal Methods and Materials

2

* MVP 686 Graduate Conducting

1

* MVP 686 Graduate Conducting

1

MVP VOX Private Voice

1

MVP VOX Private Voice

1

MVP 6xx Ensembles

2

MVP 6xx Ensembles

1

Total Credits:

9-12

Total Credits:

8-11

**Second semester qualifying exams

Year II

Fall

Spring

Electives

2-3

+ MTC 515 Choral Arranging

3

MCY 536 Choral Literature II*

2

MVP 508 Score Study*

2

MVP 686 Graduate Conducting*

1

MVP 686 Graduate Conducting*

1

MVP VOX Private Voice

1

MVP VOX Private Voice

1

MVP CDX Recital #1

1

MVP CDX Opera Chorus Preparation

1

MVP 6xx Ensembles

1-2

MVP 6xx Ensembles

1-2

Total Credits:

8-10

Total Credits:

9-10

*Proposal Due

Year III

Fall

Spring

MCY 693 Choral Literature Seminar

2

MVP CDX Private Conducting

2

MVP 686 Graduate Conducting

1

MVP 6xx Ensembles

1

MVP 6xx Ensembles

1

MVP 730 Treatise

8

MVP 730 Treatise

4

Total Credits:

9

Total Credits:

10

* Offered in alternate years
** These courses may be repeated for credit because of changing content.

+ These courses will be waived if they have been taken during the M.M. program; electives should be substituted. A minimum requirement of two ensembles is required per semester. Ensemble assignments will be made by the Program Director for Choral Studies. If required, remedial courses in Music History and Theory will be in addition to the above course load.

Suggested Research Proposal Format
TITLE PAGE - see examples

The body of the proposal should reflect the content and construction of the following outline. This outline is to serve as a guide for the development of the proposal. Additional information can be included as appropriate to the specific topic chosen. Each element of the outline should be highlighted either by roman numeral and title (centered over the particular paragraph or section) or by devoting a new page to each element. Proposal models are available for study from the School of Music Graduate Studies Office and the Program Director for Choral Studies. Specific format should be discussed with the Doctoral Committee Chairperson.

I. Statement of proposed research
A. Introduction to the topic
B. Statement and clarification of topic
II. Need for the study
A. Review of related literature revealing need for the study.
1. Support for the claim of significance of the topic's contribution to choral music etc.
B. Other needs for the study
1. Does the study of this topic have relevance to other areas of concern? If so, offer support for this statement.
III. Method of investigation and reporting
A. How will insight and academic knowledge of the topic be gained?
1. Research tools to be used
2. Reference materials
3. Other sources
B. Means of evaluation
IV. Summary
V. Appendix materials
A. Discography
B. List of works
C. Any other pertinent lists
VI. Bibliography

Doctoral Flow Chart

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