The Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) is a terminal degree in the fields of music composition, conducting, and performance. It is a comprehensive degree that requires technical skill, demonstrated musical ability, and advanced work in academic courses and research. All D.M.A. students complete a final capstone project appropriate to the area of emphasis. Emphases are available in Composition, Conducting, and Performance. Programs of study are divided into five major areas: major field, musicology/ethnomusicology, music theory, electives, and research.
The Doctor of Musical Arts with an emphasis in Conducting is a practice-oriented degree. This degree prepares advanced and qualified musicians to become conductors and scholars in their field, with refined gestural, musical, and leadership skills. This arises from a strong foundation in repertory, knowledge of historical and analytical techniques, effective and efficient rehearsal technique, and a general understanding of style and interpretive choices. Doctoral students in Conducting receive extensive individual attention and have regular opportunities to rehearse and conduct a variety of ensembles—this, indeed, is one of the principal strengths of the program. Degree recitals and conducting projects comprising 75-90 minutes of conducting in formal concerts with university ensembles are required. Students must justify the preparation and performances in a defense which can explore conceptual, organizational, notational, or other matters related to the repertoire performed.
A final capstone project can take the form of a traditional research paper (dissertation), a lecture recital (with written research component) or a full-length recording project (with written research component).
Director of Graduate Studies: Emily Gertsch Senior Lecturer of Music Theory egertsch@uga.edu Kathleen Powell Graduate Program Administrator musicgrad@uga.edu 706-542-2743