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INTRODUCTION

WelcometothedoctoralprogramatManhattanSchoolofMusic.Thishandbook
hasbeendesignedtoanswerthekindsofquestionsmostoftenaskedaboutrequirements
andproceduresapplyingtoyourdegreeprogram.Ifyoudonotfindtheanswertoyour
questionwithinthesepages,pleasedonothesitatetocontacttheassistantdeanof
doctoralstudiesforhelp.
Pleasenote:althoughwetrytosupplyasmuchguidanceaspossibleinthe
advisingprocess,youaloneareultimatelyresponsibleforknowingallpublished
requirementsforyourdegreeprogramandforfulfillingtheserequirementsina
timelymanner.
Inadditiontothishandbook,youwillwanttogetacopyofthegeneralManhattan
SchoolofMusicStudentHandbookpublishedbytheStudentServicesOffice.This
bookletdetailsimportantfactsaboutstudentlife,activities,andservicesavailabletoall
students.Freeconcerttickets,varioussupportgroups,exerciseclasses,studenttrips,etc.,
areallavailablefortheasking.
BasicPhilosophy
Thedoctorofmusicalartsrepresentsthehighestlevelofacademicandmusical
achievementatManhattanSchoolofMusic.Theprogramisdesignedforthosestudents
whowishtopursuecareersinbothperformanceandcollegelevelteaching.Ourgoal,
therefore,istoprovideyouwithintensiveacademicpreparationofthetypethatwill
enableyouconfidentlytoprepareanddeliverclassroomlecturesandotherwisefunction
comfortablyinanacademicenvironment,withoutneglectingyourcontinued
developmentasaperformingartist.
TheManhattanSchooldoctoralprogramconsistsoftwoseparatedivisions:
classicalmajorsandjazzartsmajors.Theclassicaldivisionacceptsstudentsmajoringin
piano,voice,accompanying,organ,harpsichord,guitar,orchestralinstruments,and
composition.Thejazzdivisionacceptsstudentsinauniqueprogramthatcombines
performance,composition,andpedagogyinoneunifiedcurriculumforperformersofany
standardjazzinstrument.Ineitherdivision,thecurriculuminvolvestwoyearsofcourse
work,threerecitals,athesis,andcomprehensiveexaminations.Whilesomeofthecourse
workconsistsofrequirementswhichallstudentsmustmeet,aportionoftheacademic
creditsisallocatedtoelectivecourses.Wehope,thereby,tooffereachstudentthe
opportunitytotailorhisorhercourseworktosuitpersonalneeds.Youareencouraged
tomaintainclosecontactwiththeAssistantDeanforDoctoralStudiesinorderto
evaluateyourspecificacademicgoals.

ADMISSION
Thesuccessfulapplicanttothisprogramwillpossessaprofessionallevelof
performanceabilityandmayevenhaveacareeralreadyunderway.Inthecaseof
compositionandjazzartsmajors,thefacultywillexpecttoseesampleworksthat
demonstrateoriginalityandmasteryofthecraftofcomposition.Equallyasimportant,
applicantsarerequiredtodemonstrate,throughwrittenexaminationandanoral
interview,anunderstandingofthehistoryofmusic,amasteryofthetheoreticalmaterials
ofmusic,acommandofthewrittenEnglishlanguage,andgoodmotivationfor
undertakingtherigorsofdoctoralstudies.
StudentsforwhomEnglishisnotthenativelanguagearealsoaskedtotakethe
standardizedTOEFL(TestofEnglishasaForeignLanguage)andtoscoreatleast600in
ordertoqualifytotakeanauditionorentranceexaminations.
Audition/ExaminationClassical
AuditionsforadmissiontothedoctoralprogramareheldinMarchforadmission
inSeptember.Thereisnomidyearadmission.Applicantsarefirstgivenanaudition
beforethefacultyoftheirdepartmentandthenmoveontotakeexaminationsinmusic
historyandtheory.Youshouldpreparearecitalprogramrepresentingadiversityof
musicalstyleperiods,includingthetwentiethcentury.Ifyoudonotpasstheentrance
audition,youmustwaitafullyearbeforeauditioningagain.Ifyoupasstheauditionbut
faileitherthehistoryortheorytest,youwillberequiredtoreauditionthefollowingyear
andtotakethehistoryandtheorytestsagainatthattime,unlesstheadmissioncommittee
invitesyoutoreexamineatanearlierdate.
Theclassicalhistoryexamination(11/2hrs.)usuallyincludestwoparts:
1.Shortanswerquestionstestingspecificknowledgeofimportantdates,genres,terms,
forms,etc.
2.Essayquestionstestingbroadunderstandingofevolutionarytrends,innovationsof
importantcomposers,periodstyles,etc.Theessaysalsodemonstrateyourabilitytowrite
clearlyandeffectivelyinEnglish.
Thetheoryexamination(11/2hrs.)requiresathoroughunderstandingofthe
fundamentalsofharmony,fourpartchoralewriting,figuredbasses,speciescounterpoint
andfugue,formalanalysis,andtwentiethcenturycompositionaltechniques.
Boththewrittenexaminationsandtheauditionmaybetakennomorethantwice.
Thefinalstageoftheadmissionprocessisanoralinterviewwithmembersofthe
doctoralcommittee.Thepurposeofthisinterviewistogiveyouachancetoask
questionsabouttheprogramandforustomakeamorepersonalandcompleteassessment
ofyoursuitabilityfordoctoralstudies.
Audition/ExaminationJazz Arts
There are three separate components to the Jazz Arts entrance examination:

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1. Composition requirement
Applicants must submit copies of scores and a CD of at least two of the following:
a. One original work for studio orchestra
b. One original work for big band
c. One original work for either orchestra or chamber group
d. One original work utilizing MIDI or computer-generated sounds
2. Performance requirementApplicants must demonstrate the ability to improvise
at a professional level.
Prepare ten selections (including two ballads) in different jazz styles.
3. Pedagogy requirementApplicants must present a one-hour lecture on a jazzrelated topic of their choice
Written exams
Aonehourwrittenexamonjazzhistory,styles,andanalysiswithlistening.
Aonehourwrittenjazztheory,harmony,andcounterpointexamination.
Oralexam
Thefinalstageoftheentranceexaminationprocessisashortinterviewwiththe
assistantdeanofjazzStudiesandtheassistantdeanofdoctoralstudiesforthepurposeof
assessingtheapplicantsreadinessandmotivationforundertakingtherigorsofdoctoral
studies.
TransferCredits
IfyouarecomingtoManhattanSchoolofMusicfromanotherschoolwhereyou
begandoctoralwork,youmaytransferuptoninecreditsofacademicworkcompleted
withagradeofAorB,aslongasthosecreditswerenotusedtoreceiveadegree,
diploma,orcertificateatthatinstitution.Ifyouarecomingintothedoctoralprogram
directlyfromourownProfessionalStudiesprogram,thesamelimitationsapply(nine
creditsofacademicworknotrequiredfortheProfessionalStudiescertificate,andgrades
ofAoraB).CreditformajorlessonsearnedwhileintheProfessionalStudiesprogram
oratanyotherschoolmaynotbetransferredtothedoctoralprogram.

MATRICULATIONREQUIREMENTS
UsuallydoctoralstudentsareinresidenceatManhattanSchoolforthetwo
yearsrequiredtocompletethebasiccourseworkofthecurriculum.Inspecialcases,the
residencymaybereducedtooneyearifthestudentcanworkout,inconsultationwiththe
AssistantDean,acurriculumthatwillallowforthecompletionofallremaining
requirementsfromoutoftown.

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Allrequirementsforthedegreemustbecompletedwithinsevenyearsofthe
dateofmatriculation.
Youmayapplyforaleaveofabsenceforoneortwosemestersanytimeduring
thefirsttwoyearsofstudyifcircumstancesdemandthatyoususpendyourcoursework
temporarily.Thisleaveisnotcountedastimeintheprogram,andyoumaynotbe
registeredforanycoursesorlessonsduringyourleave.Pleasenotethatinternational
studentswhogoonaleaveofabsencewilllosetheirstudentstatusandwillnotbe
abletoremaininthecountry.

ACADEMICSTANDARDSANDPROGRESS
Allstudentswillbeevaluatedforacademicprogressattheendeachyearofstudy.
Ifatanytimeastudentgivesanyindicationofnotbeingablesuccessfullytocomplete
theremainderoftheprogramandtopassallacademicandperformancerequirements,the
doctoralcommitteemaydecidetoterminatethatstudentscandidacyforthedegree.
AcceptableacademicprogressisdefinedascoursegradesofBorhigherandrecital
gradesofPorhigher.Inaddition,allstudentswillbemonitoredforprogresstowardthe
degreeintheyearsaftercompletionofcoursework.Failuretomaintaingoodacademic
progresswilljeopardizeyourcompletionofthedegree.
Thecompletionofdegreerequirementsismarkedbyseveralinternaldeadlines:
1.Allperformancerequirementsmustbecompletedbytheendofthethirdyear.This
includesrecitals,concertos,andorchestralexcerptsjuries.
2.AllstudentsmustbegintakingtheComprehensiveExamnolaterthanthespring
semesteroftheirthirdyear.
3.NoonewillbeallowedtobeginathesisbeforecompletingtheComprehensive
Exams.

ASSISTANTSHIPS
Alimitednumberofassistantshipsareavailabletodoctoralstudentsqualifiedto
assistprofessorsinvariousacademiccourses,toteachsecondarypiano,ortoworkinthe
opera,guitar,theory,history,humanities,orchestralstudiesandchambermusic
departments.Inaddition,anadministrativefellowshipasassistanttothedirectorof
doctoralstudiesisavailabletoasecondorthirdyearstudent.Everyyearalistof
availableassistantshipswillbepublished.Whilemanyoftheseassistantshipsare
reservedforincomingstudents,someofthemareintendedonlyforthirdandfourthyear
students.Anyonecanapplyforanassistantship,andawardswillbedeterminedin
consultationwiththechairofthedepartmentofferingtheposition.Anapplicationletter
shouldbesenttotheAssistantDeanbeforeMarch15ofeveryyear.Assistantshipsmay
berenewedforasecondyear.

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JazzartsmajorshavetheopportunitytoteachintheManhattanSchoolofMusic
PrecollegeDivisionasawayofearningincomeandgainingteachingexperience.

SCHOLARSHIPS
Studentsareawardedscholarshipsatthetimeoftheirauditiontoenterthe
doctoralprogram.Theseawardsarebasedonthelevelofperformanceandacademic
achievementindicatedduringtheadmissionexaminationsandaudition,aswellasona
studentsfinancialneed.Scholarshipsareawardedforoneyearoffulltimestudy,
andanapplicationmustbemadeattheendofthefirstyeartorenewyour
scholarshipforasecondyear.
Eachstudentsscholarshipwillbereevaluatedonthebasisofacademicand
performanceachievementattheendofthefirstyearofstudy.Scholarshipsmaybe
adjustedupordownaccordingtothisreevaluation.

REGISTRATION
FirstyeardoctoralstudentsareaskedtoregisterforclassesearlyinSeptember.
Attheendofeverysemesterthereafter,youwillregisterwiththeAssistantDeanfor
DoctoralStudiesforthenextsemesterscourses.Generallyspeaking,thecurriculumfor
eachdoctoralmajorisspelledoutindetailinthecurriculumgridprintedattheendofthis
handbook,butalterationsofthesetcurriculumarepossibletomakeyourcourseofstudy
atManhattanSchoolofMusicmorerelevanttoyourparticularneeds.Suchdeviations
fromthestandardcurriculummustbediscussedwithandapprovedbytheAssistant
Dean.
Intheirfirsttwoyears,studentsmustberegisteredforatleast12creditstobe
consideredfulltimeandtoqualifyforscholarships.Nomorethan18creditsmaybe
takeninanysemesterwithoutincurringacreditoverloadfee.
Followingthetwoyearsofrequiredcoursework,studentswillregisterforasix
creditThesisResearchcourse(DM5100)ineverysemesteruntilgraduation.This
courserequiresthatyoubeactivelyinvolvedinindependentpreparationforthe
comprehensiveexamsandinworkonthethesis.Studentsarealsorequiredtomeetwith
theAssistantDeanforDoctoralStudiesandtheirthesisadvisorattheendofevery
semesterinwhichtheyareregisteredforThesisResearchinordertoevaluatetheir
progresstowardcompletionofthedegree.ThesixcreditThesisResearchcourse
representsaregistrationstatusoffulltimeequivalencyforpurposesofloan
applicationsanddeferments.Thefeeforthiscourseiscurrently$750persemester.

FEES
items:

Everysemesterwhileyouaretakingcoursesyouwillbebilledforthefollowing
Studentgeneralfee:foruseofthelibraryandbuildingfacilities
Registrationfee:forprocessingofregistration
Reservationfee:tosaveyourplaceintheclassfornextsemesterapplied
towardnextsemester'sfees
Followingyourcourseworkyouwillalsobebilledforthefollowingitems:
ThesisResearchfee:forworktowardcompletionofthethesis
ThesisReadingfee:onetimechargeforthereadingofyourthesisbya
secondreader
Graduationfee:onetimechargeforexpensesassociatedwithcapand
gownrentalanddiplomaprinting

LESSONS
Youwillreceivetwoyearsofprivateinstructioninyourmajorfield.This
includes14lessonspersemester.Insomeinstancesteachersmaybeoutoftownforan
extendedperiodoftimeandwillhavetomisssomeoftheselessons.Inthatcaseyou
maybeaskedtotakealessonwithyourteachersassistant(ifthereisone),oryour
teachermaysimplyoweyoumakeuplessons.Note,however,thatall14lessonsmust
betakeninthesemesterforwhichyouareregistered.Lessonsowedyoucannotbe
carriedoverintoalatersemester.Pleasekeepacarefulrecordofthenumberoflessons
youtakeineverysemester.Youpaidforthem,somakesureyougetthem.
Youshouldalsobeawarethatitispossibletochangemajorteachersattheendof
anysemesterifyoufeelitnecessary.Thisisaccomplishedonlywiththeapprovalofthe
VicePresidentforAcademics.

PERFORMANCEREQUIREMENTS
AllClassicalmajors(exceptcompositionandorganmajors)mustgivetwosolo
recitalsandaspecialrecitalcalledthePerformanceProject.Thelatterisarecitalthat
usuallyconsistsofchambermusic,butwhichmaytakeotherformsdependingonyour
major.
Compositionmajorsgiveonlyonerecitalinwhichtheypubliclypresenttheir
work.
OrganmajorsplaythreesolorecitalsbutnoPerformanceProject.

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Accompanyingmajorsplaythreerecitalsofchambermusic.
JazzArtsmajorspresenttheirwork(bothasperformerandcomposer)inatotalof
tworecitals:
a. Oneensembleperformancerecital
b. Onelecturerecital.
Inaddition,jazzmajorswriteandconductorsoloinaperformanceofathesis
compositionforlargejazzorchestra.

Whentogiveyourrecitals
Normallyyouregisterforandplayrecitalsinthesemesterduringwhichyouare
takinglessons.YoumaytakeanIncompleteforanyregisteredrecitalthatyouneedto
postponeforsomelegitimatereason.IntheClassicaldivision,suchIncompletesare
goodforonesemesteronly.After that time, the I will become a permanent F on
your transcript and you will have to re-register for the postponed recital. If that reregistration occurs in a semester in which you are carrying fewer than 12 credits, you will
have to pay for the 2 credits that the recital represents. In addition, if you give a solo
recital in any semester after your initial two years of study, youmustalsoregisterandpay
forahalfsemesteroflessons(7hrs.).
Note,however,thatifthepostponementofarecitalresultsinyournotplayingin
yourfirstacademicyear,youmustthenplaythatrecitalwithinthefirstmonthofthe
followingsemester.
BecauserecitalsintheJazzdivisionaresomewhatdifferent,anIncompleterecital
canbemadeupanytimewithinthefollowingtwosemesters.Norwillrecitalsthatfallin
thethirdyearofstudyrequireparttimelessons.
Howtoregister
Recitalscarrycoursenumbersjustlikeanyothercourseinthecurriculum.Atthe
timeofpreregistrationinthesemesterpriortothatinwhichyouplantogiveyour
recital,yousimplyregisterfortherecitalwiththeappropriatenumber.
YoumustthenobtainarecitalpermissionformfromtheRecitalCoordinator,
haveyourteachersignit,andthenpassitalongtoyourdepartmentchairpersonfor
approval.Lastly,theAssistantDeanforDoctoralStudiesmustalsosignhisapproval.
TheformisthenforwardedtothePerformanceOffice,whichwillprintyourprograms.
Scheduling
Youwillbegiventheopportunitytoselectrecitaldatesforthefallsemesterin
SeptemberandspringrecitaldatesinNovember.Thisregistrationprocessiscarriedout
throughtheSchedulingOffice.Doctoralstudentshavefirstpickofdates,times,and
locations.
Pleasedonotsignupforadateunlessyoureallyintendtopresentarecital.The
SchedulingOfficewilllevyafineagainstanyonewhocancelsarecitalwithinacertain

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numberofweeksofthedateselected.Ifyoudocancelyourrecitaldate,youmustnotify
theDoctoralRecitalCoordinator,Mr.EvanKory(evankory@hotmail.com),withintwo
daysofthedatesothatthefacultyjurycanbecancelled.Cancellationsofjazzrecitals
shouldbehandledbyAssistantDeanJustinDiCioccio.
Content
Classicalrecitalsaretocontainmostlynewrepertoire(approximately2/3),and
shouldrepresentabalanceofstyles,periodsandnationalities.Approvalformore
specializedrecitalsmaybeobtaineduponconsultationwiththeDirectorandtheChairof
yourdepartment.
Thecontentofallrecitalsmustbeapprovedasdescribedabovein"Howto
Register."
Thecontentofjazzrecitalsisprescribedinaseparatebulletinavailablefromthe
AssistantDeanofJazzStudies.
PerformanceProjects
ThePerformanceProject(forclassicalmajors)isnearlyalwaysachambermusic
recital.Ifyouelectthisoptiontofulfilltherequirement,youmustpresentaprogramof
variedmusicalstyles.Youmayselectanyperformancemediumyoulike:duets,trios,
quartets,etc.Butforpianists,aprogramofnothingbuttwopianoworkswillnotsatisfy
therequirement.Pianistsmay,however,performwithasoloist,aslongasthepianoparts
involvedareofsufficientdifficultytorepresentadoctorallevelofperformance.
Inthesemesterinwhichyouhaveregisteredtogivethisrecital,youareentitled
totwoextrahoursofchambermusiccoachingfromyourmajorteacheroranyother
memberoftheperformancefacultyyoumayselect.Onceyouhavemadethisselection,
youmustnotifytheAssistantDeansothatyourcoachcanbepaid.
OccasionallythePerformanceProjecttakesadifferentform.Lecturerecitalsare
onepossibility.Forvoicemajors,operaticscenesareanacceptablealternativetothe
usualprogramofchambermusic.

AdjudicationandGrading
Alldoctoralrecitalsareadjudicatedbyapanelofatleasttwofacultymembers
whowillattendyourrecital.Assoonasyouselectadateforyourrecital,youmust
notifytheDoctoralRecitalCoordinator(EvanKory),whowillthenarrangewiththe
Chairpersonofyourdepartmentforafacultyjury.Jazzmajorsshouldarrangerecital
datesandfacultyjurieswiththeAssistantDeanofJazzStudies.Threeweekspriortothe
dateofyourrecital,youshouldchecktomakesureafacultyjuryhasbeenarranged.If
youlike,youmayscheduleyourrecitalaroundtheknownavailabilityofspecificfaculty
memberswhomyouwouldliketoadjudicateyourrecital.Thisshouldbediscussedwith
theDoctoralRecitalCoordinator.

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Recitalsaregradedwiththefollowingletters:
PH=Passwithhonors
P=Pass
LP=Lowpass
E=Privilegeofreexam
F=Failed
"Passwithhonors"isawardedonlytothoseperformanceswhich,intheopinion
ofthejurors,representthehighestlevelofartisticdistinction.
"Pass"indicatesthatyourrecitalwascompetentandsatisfactoryineveryrespect.
"Lowpass"indicatesajuror'sconcernaboutaproblemwithsomeaspectofyour
performance.Ifanyjurorgivesyousuchagrade,youwillbenotifiedthatalackof
confidencehasbeenexpressedaboutyourplaying.Ifanotherrecitalalsoreceivesa
gradeofLPfromanyjuror,youwillbeaskedtoplayanadditionalrecitalata"passing"
levelbeforebeingallowedtograduate.
"Reexam"isusuallyawardedincircumstanceswhereanobviousexternal
problem(e.g.,illness)interferedwiththestudent'sabilitytoperformuptohisorhertrue
ability.Insuchcasesyouwillbeaskedtoreplaythesamerecitalbeforeadifferentjury
sometimeduringthefollowingsemester.Noacademicpenaltiesareincurredwiththis
grade.If,however,youcannotreplaytherecitalwithinonesemester,thegradeofEwill
bechangedtoFandyouwillbeplacedonacademicsuspensionuntilanewrecitalis
successfullycompleted.
"Failed"isreservedonlyforcasesofseriousperformanceproblems.Thisgrade
requiresthatyouplayacompletelynewrecitalatthebeginningofthefollowing
semester.Ifthisisnotpossible,youwillbeplacedontemporaryacademicsuspension
untilthefailedrecitalissuccessfullypassed.
Incaseswherejurorssubmitconflictinggrades,thefollowingsystemwillpertain:
PH+P=P
LP+P=P
LP+E=determinationbythedepartmentchair
F+anything=determinationbythedepartmentchair
Itisthestudent'sresponsibilitytomakesurethatallrecitalsarerecordedfor
possibleadjudicationbyotherfacultymembers.

Offcampusrecitals
Exceptfororganmajors,whonearlyalwaysgiverecitalsoffcampus,students
generallygiveallrecitalshereatMSM.Youmay,however,giveoneofyourthree
recitalsoffcampus.IftherecitaliselsewhereinNewYorkCity,afacultypanelmaybe
invitedtoattend.Iftherecitalisoutoftown,youmustsubmitaprogramandbotha
videoandaudiocassetterecordingforadjudication.
CompositionRecitalsandJuries

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During the first two years of study, composition majors must write, among other
works, a 10-12 minute orchestral work and a substantial chamber work (scored for 4-15
performers, lasting not less than 20 minutes).
Composition majors take an end-of-the-year jury in each of the years for which
they are registered for course work. Registration for these juries is handled by the
Registrars Office. Each jury carries 2 credits.
Compositionmajorsgiveonlyonerecitalinwhichtheypresenttheirworksinlive
performance.Thecomposerisexpectedtoparticipateintheperformanceinsome
capacity,usuallyastheconductorofatleastonework.Thisrecitalistheculminationof
workforthedegree.Itisaveryimportantandformalconcert.Theprogramneedstobe
carefullyplanned,consideringvarietyandpacing.Pleasebeawareofthefollowing
guidelinesfortheprogram:
a.Theprogrammustbeapprovedbythestudentsmajorteacher,the
ChairmanoftheCompositionDepartment,andtheAssistantDeanforDoctoral
Studies.
b.Theprogrammustincludethesubstantialchamberworkwrittenduring
thefirsttwoyearsofdoctoralstudy.
c.Theprogramshouldhavenotlessthan60minutesofmusic.
d.Allthemusicontheprogrammusthavebeenwrittenduringthe
studentsDMAcandidacyatMSM.
TheConcertoRequirement
Pianistsandguitaristsmustalsoperformtwoconcertosaspartofthedegree
requirements.Theseareusuallydonewithpianoaccompanimentbeforeafacultyjury,
althoughvideoandaudiorecordingsofliveperformancesofconcertoswithorchestraare
encouraged.ThesejuriesarescheduledbytheChairpersonofyourdepartment.
Permissiontoplayaconcertomustbeobtainedfromyourteacheronaform
availableintheDoctoralOffice.Orchestralinstrumentmajorsplayoneconcertoin
additiontoanorchestralexcerptsjury(seebelow).Theseconcertosaregradedlike
recitals(seeabove)andarescheduledbytheRegistrar.
OrchestralExcerptsJury
AllClassicalinstrumentalmajorsotherthanguitar,piano,andorganareexpected
toplayajuryoforchestralexcerptsbeforetheendoftheirthirdyearofstudy.Repertoire
listsfortheseexamsareavailablefromtheAssistantDean.Orchestralexcerptsjuriesare
usuallyscheduledduringjuryweekattheendofeachsemester.Youmustarrangeyour
dateforthesejuriesthroughtheRegistrar'sofficeearlyinthesemesterinwhichyou
intendtoplay.

THESIS

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Thethesisrequirementmaybefulfilledinanumberofways.Thefollowingare
themostcommonoptions:
ahistoricalstudyofsomesubjectrelatedtoyourmajorfield

ananalyticalstudyofaworkorgroupofworksfromtherepertoireforyour
instrument.
acriticaleditionofsomepreviouslyunavailablework(s).
anannotatedtranslationofanimportantarticle,treatise,orbookasyet
unavailableinEnglish.
Asyoucansee,thethesisisaflexiblerequirement.Underlyingtheseprojects(in
whateverformyouselect)mustbeevidenceofbasicresearchskillsandgoodwriting
technique.Beyondthat,wesuggestyouworkonasubjectthatwillbeofsufficient
practicalinteresttothemusicworldtooffertheopportunityforpublication.
Specificguidelinesfortheeditorialstyleandformattingofthethesisareavailable
fromtheAssistantDeanforDoctoralStudies.
ThethesisrequirementforJazzmajorsissomewhatdifferent.Thelargestudio
orchestraworkthatisperformedinthefinalrecitalwillbesubmittedalongwithawritten
commentaryandanalysisasthethesisproject.Supportforthewrittenpartofthisproject
willbeprovidedbyonesemesterofprivateThesisAdvisementwiththeAssistantDean
ofJazzStudies.
AdvisementClassicalMajors
Duringtwoofthefoursemestersinwhichyouareregisteredforcourseworkyou
willalsoregisterforthesisadvisement.Thisadvisementconsistsofatotalof15hoursof
privateworkwithafacultyadvisorofyourchoice.Naturallyyouwillwanttoselectan
advisoronthebasisofhisorherinterestinandknowledgeofyoursubjectarea.
Nearlyeverystudentpostponesactualworkonthethesisuntilthethirdyearof
doctoralstudies.Atthattimetheobligationofcourseworkandrecitalsisbehindyou,
andyoucandevoteyourundividedattentiontoyourthesisandtheComprehensive
Exams.Allthesisadvisorsunderstandthatstudentswillnotbeginworkonthethesis
untillongaftertheyactuallyregister.ConsequentlyagradeofIncompletewillbe
submitteduntilthethesisiscompleted.
Proposal
ForClassicalmajors,yourfirstresponsibilityafterselectinganadvisoristomake
aformalproposalofyourthesistopictotheDoctoralCommittee.Thisshouldtakethe
followingform:
I.Thesistitle
Studentname(withsignature)
Advisorname(withsignature)
Secondreadername(withsignature)
II.Descriptionoftheproject
Explainexactlywhatyouplantowriteabout,whatyourmain
thesisis,whatyouhopetoproveordemonstrate.Make
sureyour
methodologyismadeclear,andincludearationale

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explainingthe
includeareview

practicaloracademicvalueofyourproject.Also

ofthecurrentliteratureonyoursubjectandanexplanationofhow
yourworkisdifferentfromwhathasalreadybeendone.
III.Outlineoftheorganizationofyourpaper(tentative).
IV.Preliminarybibliographyofmaterialsapplicabletoyoursubject.

SampleproposalsareavailablefromtheAssistantDean.
Onceyourproposalhasbeenwrittenandyouradvisorhasapprovedit,youmust
selectasecondreaderwhomustalsoapprovethetopic.Youradvisorandsecondreader,
alongwiththeAssistantDean,willcompriseyourthesisadvisorycommittee.
FinalDraft
The final draft of your thesis must be submitted to your primary advisor no later
than February 15 of the academic year in which you intend to graduate. This deadline
gives the advisor ample time to read the thesis and make final suggestions for corrections
and improvements before the document must be submitted to the second reader on or
before March 15 and to the Assistant Dean in its finished form no later than April 15.
FinalCopy
Afinalcopyofyourthesiswiththesignaturesofallcommitteemembersmustbe
submittedtotheAssistantDeanbyMay15oftheyearinwhichyouwanttograduate.
Youmustsubmitoneunboundcopyofthethesisforlibrarybindingandstorage,along
withanelectroniccopyofthethesisonaCD.

LECTURERECITAL
Analternativetothestandardthesisisalecturerecitalonanapprovedtopicalong
witha40pagepaperonthesamesubject.Thisoptionmaybemoreappropriatefor
certainkindsofsubjectsinwhichlivedemonstrationisamoreeffectivemeansof
communicationofthethesisidea.
AproposalmustbesubmittedtotheDoctoralCommittee,andanadvisorand
secondreadermustbeselectedtomakethethesiscommittee.

COMPREHENSIVEEXAMINATION

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ForbothClassicalandJazzArtsmajors,theculminationofthedoctoralprogram
istheComprehensiveExam.Thisisatwopartexamtakeninthesecondorthirdyearof
study.PartIofthisexamisthewrittensection.Thisconsistsofthreehoursofhistory
andthreehoursoftheorytestsofabroad,generalnature.Itisimportanttounderstand
thatthesetestsarenotameasureofwhatyoulearnedinthetwoyearsofcoursework
takenhereatMSM,butareratheranevaluationofyourtotalexperiencewiththehistory,
literature,andtheoryofmusicgainedovermanyyearsofworkingasamusician.We
makenoguaranteesthatsuccessfulcompletionofthecourseworkmeansthatyou
willbeabletopasstheComprehensiveExam.
ForClassicalmajors,thewrittenhistoryexamwillcoverallperiodsfromearly
Christianmusictothepresent.Youareexpectedtodemonstrateafamiliaritywithmajor
composers,forms,genres,styles,literature,etc.Thetheoryexamissimilar.Knowledge
ofbasicskillsinharmonyandcounterpointaswellastheabilitytothinkanalyticallywill
betested.
TheJazzexamissimilar,butcoversamorelimitedperiodofhistory.
PartIIoftheexamistheoralportion,whichtakesplaceamonthafterthewritten
exam.Youareonlyallowedtotakethisifyoupassedthewrittenexam.Intheoralexam
youwillbebroughtbeforeasmallcommitteeoffacultytoanswerquestionsrelatingto
theliteratureofyourmajorareafor40minutes.ForJazzArtsmajorsthisexamincludes
majorperformersandtheircontributionstoevolvingstylesaswell. Youmayelectto
taketheoralexaminthesemesterafteryoupassthewrittenexams.
AstudyguideisavailablefromtheAssistantDeantoaidyourpreparationforthis
exam.
Schedulingandregistration
YoumustregisterfortheComprehensiveExaminyoursecondyearofstudy
regardlessofwhetheryouintendtotaketheexamatthattimeoratalaterdate.After
registering,youshouldnotifytheAssistantDeanwhenyouactuallyintendtotakethe
exam.
TheComprehensiveExamisgiventwiceayearinSeptemberandFebruary.
Everyonemustbegintakingtheexamnolaterthanhisorherthirdyearofstudy.You
musttakeboththehistoryandtheoryportionsofthewrittenexamonthesameday.If
youpassthewrittenexam,youmaytaketheoralexamthefollowingmonth,oryoumay
electtopostponeituntilthefollowingsemester.Youmaytakebothpartsoftheexamas
manyasthreetimesunlessdoingsowouldcauseyoutoexceedthetimelimitofseven
years.Ifafteryourthirdattempttopasseitherthewrittenororalportionyoustillhave
notpassed,youwillbewithdrawnfromtheprogramandthedegreewillnotbegranted.

OTHERREQUIREMENTS
LanguageExam

14
Priortowritingthethesis,Classicalmajorsmustpassalanguageexamineither
French,German,orItalian.Thisexamrequiresthatyoutranslate500wordsofmusically
relatedtextintwohourswiththeaidofadictionary.Youmaymakeapetitionforthe
substitutionofadifferentlanguageifyoufeelmasteryofthatlanguageisespecially
importanttoyourfutureworkinthefieldofmusicscholarship.Thelanguageexammay
bescheduledthroughtheAssistantDeanatanytimeyoufeelreadytotakeit.
Accompanyingmajors
Uponentranceintotheprogramvocalaccompanyingmajorsmustdemonstratea
familiaritywithEnglish,French,andGermanvocaldiction,eitherbyhavingtaken
coursesinthesesubjectsaspartofanearlierdegreeprogramorbytakingorauditingthe
samecoursesatMSM.

CHAMBERMUSIC
InyoursecondyearofstudyyoumayelecttoparticipateintheMSMchamber
musicprogram.TodosoyoumustregisterforchambermusicandinformtheDirector
ofChamberMusicandEnsemblesofyourintentiontojoinanensemble.Youwillthen
beplacedinanappropriateensemble.
IfyouplayanorchestralinstrumentyoumayalsoauditionforoneoftheMSM
orchestrasinyoursecondyearofstudy.Participationintheseensemblesinbased
exclusivelyupontheresultsofaplacementauditionthatyoumusttakeatthebeginning
ofthefallsemester.
JazzmajorsmayauditionforparticipationinanyMSMjazzensemblesineither
theirfirstorsecondyearofstudy.

DMA Curriculum Grids


Piano Major
Semester
Major Lessons
Theory
DM 4101-02
Piano Pedagogy
DM3051
Research Methods
DM4150
Hist. Pedagogy
DM4170

1st
6
3

2nd 3rd 4th


6
6
6
3

Composition Major
Semester
1st
Major Lessons
6
Theory
3

Mus Hist elect

3
3

2nd
6
3

Research Methods 3
DM4150
Hist. Pedagogy
DM4170

3rd
6

4th
6

15
History elective
Doctoral seminar
DM3099
Perform Practice
DM3130
Grad elective
Thesis Advisement
DM4200
Comp Exam
DM4500
Solo Recital
Perform Project
DM4490
Concerto
DM4470
Thesis Exam
DM4550
Language Exam
DM4510
Total
15

3
3
2-3
2
2

2
2

3
3
2

2
0

2
2

0
0

Thesis Exam
DM4550
Language Exam
DM4510

0
17

Thesis Advisement
DM4200
Comp Exam
DM4500
Jury
Perform of
original Comps.
DM4460

All Other
Semester
1st
Major Lessons
6
Theory
3
DM4101-02
Research Methods
3
DM4150
Music History elect. 3
MH1000 or higher
History Pedagogy
DM4170
Doctoral Seminar
DM3099
Performance Practice
DM3130
Graduate elective1

15

16

3
3
3
3

0
0
15

Majors
2nd 3rd 4th
6
6
6
3

Thesis Advisement
2
Comprehensive Exam
Language Exam
DM4510
Solo Recital 2
2
Performance Project 3
Concerto
DM4450
(orch. instruments and guitar
Orchestral Excerpts Jury
(orch. Instruments only)
Seminar
2
2
2
2
(accompanying majors only)
1

Doc Seminar
Perform Practice
DM3099
Grad elective

2
0
0
2
2
0

14

15

Jazz Arts Major


Semester
1st
2nd
3rd
Major Lessons
6
6
6
Improvisation
3
3
3
DMJ4601-04
Research Methods
3
DM4150
Jazz Seminar
3
DMJ4700
Artist Pedagogue
3
DMJ4750
Jazz History Elective
2
Graduate Elective

2-3

16

Lg. Ensemble Recital


DMJ4870
Lecture Recital
2
DMJ4850
Research Document
DMJ4800
Thesis Advisement
DM4200
Comprehensive Exam
DM4500

2-3

3
2

2
2
0

only)
0

Thesis Exam 4
0
DM4550___________________________ Accomp.
14
14
16
16

Accompanying majors take only one elective.


Accompanying majors present ensemble recitals.
3
Organ majors present a third solo recital.
4
A performance of the thesis composition for jazz orchestra, with the student conducting and/or
performing.
2

4th
6
3

16
Thesis Exam
DM4550______________________
15 16 16

0
13

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