Doctor of Musical Arts (Coursework)

The Doctor of Musical Arts degree is a professional coursework Faculty doctorate in music performance.

The DMA provides an avenue of study for music performers parallel to the PhD, and offers a more appropriate degree structure for music performance study at the doctoral level. The degree is oriented towards professional performers who are already established in their respective fields. The degree program is characterised by the advanced study of music performance supported by scholarly study. The performance components of the degree are assessed as externally examined public performances, and the thesis is also examined externally.

The DMA aims to be the benchmark of the advanced practical performer. The degree allows for sustained instrumental or vocal development at an appropriate professional level. Essential research and academic skills support the advanced study and practice of instrumental or vocal performance, providing academic training at the highest level to enrich and inform the practical skills required of the degree.

Generic Skills Statement

On completion of this course students should be able to

• Function effectively as an independent teacher-performer at the most advanced levels of the musical profession
• Provide leadership in the interpretation and performance of a chosen area of their instrument's repertoire at the best professional concert level
• Apply specific knowledge of the style and interpretation of the Western tradition, as it applied to their instrument, informed by current research in performance practice
• Pursue, with self confidence, a program of independent research and further study in the history and literature of their instrument
• Communicate orally and in writing, with authority and independence, a perspective for performance and performance practice issues related to their instrument

Doctoral degrees at the University of Melbourne seek to develop graduates who demonstrate academic leadership, increasing independence, creativity and innovation in their research work. In addition, professional doctoral studies provide advanced training designed to enhance professional knowledge in a specialist area, and encourage the acquisition of a wide range of advanced transferable skills.

The University expects its doctoral graduates to have the following qualities and skills:

• an advanced ability to initiate research and to formulate viable research questions;
• a demonstrated capacity to design, conduct and report sustained and original research;
• the capacity to contextualise research within an international corpus of specialist knowledge;
• an advanced ability to evaluate and synthesise research-based and scholarly literature
• an advanced understanding of key disciplinary and multi-disciplinary norms and perspectives relevant to the field;
• highly developed problem-solving abilities and flexibility of approach;
• the ability to analyse critically within and across a changing disciplinary environment;
• the capacity to disseminate the results of research and scholarship by oral and written communication to a variety of audiences;
• a capacity to cooperate with and respect the contributions of fellow researchers and scholars;
• a profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of research and scholarship;
• an advanced facility in the management of information, including the application of computer systems and software where appropriate to the student's field of study;
• an understanding of the relevance and value of their research to national and international communities of scholars and collaborators;
• an awareness where appropriate of issues related to intellectual property management and commercialisation of innovation; and
• an ability to formulate application to relevant agencies, such as funding bodies and ethics committees.

Probationary & Confirmed Candidature

The first year of the degree constitutes probationary candidature.

Confirmation of DMA candidature is due at the end of the first year of full-time candidature. Students applying for confirmation of candidature are required to attend an interview with the Research and Graduate Studies Committee. As part of this process, they are required to provide:

1. A written proposal of the programs for Recitals 1 and 2 and the Major Performance.
2. A written proposal for their research topic, including:

• proposed topic
• research aims and methodology
• a literature survey
• an outline of the structure of the thesis
• evidence of research achieved to date
• a timeline for completion of the thesis

During this interview the research proposal will be presented by the candidate and discussed. Candidates may be required to substantiate their written report. The Committee will also wish to discuss the structure of the remaining two years of the course.

Leave of Absence is not normally approved during the probationary year.

Performance & Research Assessment

All the performance and research components of the degree are assessed on a pass/fail basis. The expected standard of performance will be equivalent to that of the concert platform. With the exception of the Preliminary DMA Recital, which must be passed in its entirety at the first attempt for candidature to be confirmed, the examiners may either pass all subsequent recitals in their entirety or request that some part of the performance be repeated within a time limit set by the examiners.

The thesis topic should be conceptually linked to the student's performance interests and specialisations, and approved by the Research and Graduate Studies Committee at the end of the probationary year of candidature. The thesis will be examined to a standard equivalent to a Master's research thesis. The thesis topic, or areas closely related to it, would normally be the central focus of the lecture recital and the candidate's presentations at the postgraduate seminar.

The Lecture Recital, Music Literature Survey and comprehensive examination will be assessed according to the respective subject descriptions.

Overall Assessment

All components of the degree must be passed before the degree can be awarded.

Year 1 [Probationary year]:

Total points for Year 1: 100

Year 2:

Year 3:

Total points for course: 300

The prerequisite for the DMA degree is a Master of Music in performance or equivalent. Normally applicants to the DMA will have completed a minor thesis or research project at Masters level, and the subject Musicological Research Methods or equivalent.

Application Procedure

Application forms are available via the Faculty of Music website: http://www.music.unimelb.edu.au/future/forms/index.html

International applicants should ensure they also complete an International Application form available either from the Faculty or from the International Office, as well as the forms required from the Faculty.

Further requirements:

Repertoire List

Applicants must submit with their application a complete repertoire list (including concerto and chamber music).

References

Applicants need to supply at least two references, one of which must be in the area of academic study, and the other in the area of music performance.

Audition

Applicants will be required to prepare a 60-minute audition at a level of performance appropriate for entrance to the degree.

Overseas and, where necessary, interstate students may submit a video/DVD recording in place of attending an audition. The video/DVD is to be recorded in one session, must be uncut, and accompanied by a statutory declaration stating that:

'This video/DVD is submitted in application for the Doctor of Musical Arts course. The performance is by the undersigned ............... (Full name), has been filmed in one session and is unedited.

Signed................ Date......................'

Interview

Applicants will be required to attend an interview.

The University expects its postgraduate coursework graduates to have the following qualities and skills:

• An advanced understanding of the changing knowledge base in the specialist area;
• An ability to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature in the discipline
• Advanced skills and techniques applicable to the discipline;
• Well-developed problem-solving abilities in the discipline area, characterised by flexibility of approach;
• Advanced competencies in areas of professional expertise and/or scholarship;
• A capacity to articulate their knowledge and understanding in oral and written presentations;
• An advanced understanding of the international context and sensitivities of the specialist area;
• An appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of original research;
• A capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work;
• A profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship;
• An appreciation of the ways in which advanced knowledge equips the student to offer leadership in the specialist area;
• The capacity to value and participate in projects which require team-work;
• An understanding of the significance and value of their knowledge to the wider community (including business and industry);
• A capacity to engage where appropriate with issues in contemporary society; and
• Where appropriate, advanced working skills in the application of computer systems and software and a receptiveness to the opportunities offered by new technologies.

Exemptions

Students who have completed a MMus in performance at the University of Melbourne, or other recognised tertiary music institutions, or who have satisfied the Research and Graduate Studies Committee that they have equivalent qualifications or are of an appropriate standing, may be exempt from certain sections of the degree. Approval for exemptions is granted by the Research and Graduate Studies Committee of the Faculty of Music. This would normally include exemption from Preliminary DMA Recital and Chamber Music. Students wishing to apply for exemptions should state their case in writing to the Research and Graduate Studies Committee.

Supervision

Normally each candidate will have two supervisors, one in the field of performance and one in the field of academic research. Appropriate supervisors for each candidate will be appointed by the Dean. Formal supervision in the field of academic research commences after the probationary year of candidature.

Examiners

The panel of examiners for the performance component will consist of two external examiners, and an internal Chair of Examiners.

Repertoire

Candidates will be required to submit a complete repertoire list of their existing repertoire, including concerto and chamber repertoire as part of the application process. The content of all works to be included for assessment under the performance and research component of the degree will be planned and structured with the candidate's supervisors and subject to approval by the Research and Graduate Studies Committee.