Music (Performance), DMA
Bass, Brass, Horn, Keyboard, Organ, Percussion, Strings, Woodwind, arts, piano, solo, voice
Reach your highest level of academic achievement as a performer by immersing yourself in a musical environment where your creativity and passion are showcased through numerous performance experiences at ASU and throughout the greater Phoenix area.
The DMA in music with a concentration in performance is a professional degree program for advanced musicians who desire high levels of performance instruction as well as preparation for teaching positions at the university level.
Students work with faculty mentors to achieve a professional level of performance through individual recitals, chamber music and ensembles, including wind bands and choral, orchestral, brass, jazz, musical theatre and opera ensembles, depending on their area of emphasis.
Performance opportunities on and off campus further develop the knowledge and abilities required to become a leader in a musical community through teaching, performing or arts advocacy. Students work closely with an individual faculty mentor and distinguished guest artists to enhance musical growth. Students serve as leaders, mentors and models for their younger colleagues in performances, pedagogical experiences and community engagement. Collaboration with music scholars, theorists, composers, educators, dancers and theatre artists provides students with the variety of experiences and skills they need for artistic excellence and leadership.
Students learn skills they will need to be a highly successful working musician, including audition preparation, networking, learning organizational strategies, opportunity creation and developing an entrepreneurial mindset.
- College/school:
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
- Location: Tempe
90 credit hours, a research paper, a written comprehensive exam and an oral comprehensive exam
Required Core (4 credit hours) Performance Concentration (24 credit hours) Emphasis Area Coursework (23 credit hours) Music History and Music Theory (27 credit hours) Research (12 credit hours) Culminating Experience (0) Additional Curriculum Information 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 prior to 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.
MUP 727 Studio Instruction (4)
MUP 727 Studio Instruction (12)
MUP 796 Solo Performance: Recital (12)
MUP 792 Research (12)
Research paper in the form of a bound document
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.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they 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 normally expected in 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 at 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.
