/Institutions/Catholic-University-of-America/json/2023-2024/Graduate-Announcements-local.json

/Institutions/Catholic-University-of-America/json/2023-2024/Graduate-Announcements.json

Graduate Announcements > Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art > Department of Music Performance > Doctoral Programs > Doctor of Music (D.M.A.) – Piano Performance

Doctor of Music (D.M.A.) – Piano Performance

Prerequisites and Entrance Requirements

Acceptance as a graduate student is required. The applicant must have extensive performance and teaching experience after receiving a master's degree from an accredited institution in piano performance.

The applicant must submit the following to the advisory committee:

1. as stated in the Admission Process section here, two letters of recommendation (including one from a professional colleague, not teacher of the applicant) attesting to the applicant's past and potential ability as a concert performer and teacher;
2. programs and critical reviews, if available;
3. completed repertoire and professional experience record
4. The applicant must successfully complete the following entrance requirements:

• a memorized 15-minute audition of classical repertoire. The audition should consist of three pieces in contrasting tempos and styles.
• written placement examinations (two hours each) in (a) music history, (b) music theory.

Placement examinations are given during the first and second semester registration periods. An interview with the committee takes place after the examinations are completed.

Program of Study

Based on the results of the entrance examinations, the advisory committee, in consultation with the student, will arrange a program of study of 54 to 72 hours beyond the master's degree. The courses and repertoire to be completed as part of the degree requirements will be communicated to the student in writing. Although the program will be organized to meet the individual needs of the student, a typical program may include:

Program of Study	Semester Hours
Piano Private Instruction (four semesters)	12
Chamber Music MUS 605 or 605A	4-5
Piano Literature and Pedagogy	6-12
Music History and Music Theory (by advisement)	12
Music Electives (by advisement) No more than three credits of Music Electives can be taken in the major instrument	5-7
Five Required Recitals (see below)	15
Final Recital MUS 997A w/classes; MUS 997B w/o classes (see below)	0
Total	54-72

The contents of the five required recitals are to be selected by the candidate in consultation with the committee, each is to be of approximately 70 minutes playing time and must be performed from memory, except for the chamber music recital. The concerto repertoire (two concertos) must together total 70 minutes of performance time. The required concertos will normally be accompanied by piano. Securing an accompanist is the responsibility of the soloist. The recitals may be given in any order:

1. a public solo recital (MUS 907 or MUS 908, 3 semester hours);
2. a public chamber music performance (MUS 907 or MUS 908, 3 semester hours);
3. a public lecture-demonstration recital, the topic of which must be approved in advance by the committee (MUS 907 or MUS 908, 3 semester hours), together with a written document on the topic;
4. two concerto recitals (MUS 907 and MUS 908, each 3 semester hours).
5. A final recital (MUS 997A w/ classes; MUS w/o classes) (0 semester hours) of 70 minutes' duration is the final comprehensive examination and demonstrates the candidate's ability to solve performance issues related to technique, learning, discipline and style independently. The program content of this recital will be communicated to the candidate 90 days in advance of the performance, and the candidate must prepare this program without the aid of a teacher or coach.