Doctor of Musical Arts
Composition
MAJOR
27 SEMESTER HOURS
Required Courses:
MUSI 8301
MUSI 8302
MUSI 8303
MUSI 8304
12 Semester Hours
Composition and Portfolio Review (see #1 on following page)
Performances of Original Works and Contemporary Music Audience
Development (see #2)
Composition Project (see #3)
Professional Development and Performance of Original Work (see #4)
Related Area Courses:
MUSI 5341
MUSI 5342
MUTH 5320
15 Semester Hours
Introduction to Technology for Musicians
Advanced Technology for Musicians
Special Topics in Music Theory
And 6 semester hours chosen* in Music Composition (except 5308 and 5309), Music
History and Literature, or Music Theory (except 5300 and 5301)
OTHER COURSES IN MUSIC
MUSI 7301
9 SEMESTER HOURS
Music Bibliography and Research (required)
And 6 semester hours chosen* from Applied Music, Ensemble, General Music, or Music
Education
FINE ARTS CORE
9 SEMESTER HOURS
9 Semester Hours Chosen from:
ART 5310, ART 5314, TH A 5310, TH A 5314, PHIL 5310, PHIL 5314
Chosen with permission of student’s committee and graduate advisor. One course from another
area may be substituted.
TOTAL: 45 SEMESTER HOURS
*Based on results on the Placement Examinations in Music Theory and Music History, and on
the advisement of the major professor.
DOCTORAL PERFORMANCE PROJECTS INFORMATION
 1)
MUSI 8301
Composition and Portfolio Review
The student and instructor review the student’s catalog of existing works, in consultation with other
members of the composition, performance, and theory faculty. Attention will be given to the breadth
of genres and media represented, mastery of orchestration and notational practice, issues of
performance practicality, and the presence of both a personal aesthetic and distinctive compositional
voice.
The required final written documents will include:
a)
A 1000-1500 word formal statement of career goals, including a plan for artistic and
professional development and a strategy for achieving the stated goals and
accomplishing the desired levels of development.
b)
Musical score(s) determined by the instructor to be necessary for portfolio
development.
 2)
MUSI 8302
Performances of Original Works and Contemporary
Music Audience Development
In consultation with the instructor and with the approval of the student’s principal composition
professor, the student will organize and present a recital, concert, or other appropriate public
presentation of a complete program of original compositions in various media. The student will
participate as performer and/or conductor. This presentation may or may not include new works
completed as part of Doctoral Composition Project I.
The required final written document will include:
a)
A 200-250 word strategy for publicizing the concert of original works and for
dissemination information about contemporary music in general.
 3)
MUSI 8303
Composition
In consultation with the instructor, the student will compose a large-scale original work. There are no
required final written documents.
 4)
MUSI 8304
Professional Development and Performance of
Original Work
If necessary, the student, in consultation with the instructor, will complete the major work begun in
Doctoral Composition Project III
OR
In consultation with the instructor, and with approval of the student’s principal composition
professor, the student will organize and present a public performance of the original work.
The required final written document will include:
a)
The musical score to the large-scale original work completed as part of the Final
Doctoral Composition Project, along with a brief 1500-2000 word document
discussing compositional and aesthetic elements of the work.

A qualifying examination will be prepared and graded by the student’s advisory committee. The
exam may contain questions from Music Theory, Music History and Literature, and the major area of
the student. This exam must be taken and passed prior to beginning work on the final performance
project.