Graduate Bulletin

Music Performance/Percussion, D.M.A.

Center for the Arts / BOYER COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DANCE

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: November 15

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Letters of Reference:

Number Required: 2

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from evaluators who can provide insight into the applicant's abilities, talents, and aptitude for graduate study.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:

All applicants must present credentials that are the equivalent of the appropriate Bachelor of Music degree at Temple University, which is based on a curriculum of 124 to 135 hours. Doctoral candidates must hold the Master of Music degree (or the equivalent) in the field of specialization from an accredited institution. Applicants accepted with deficiencies will find the deficiencies noted in the letter of admission. Deficiencies must be addressed prior to completion of the degree.

Master's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

A degree in Music is expected.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

A degree in Music is expected.

Statement of Goals:

The Statement of Goals should include your special interests within the discipline and expectations for the program.

Standardized Test Scores:

Minimum TOEFL score needed to be accepted: 100 iBT or 600 PBT.

Audition:

Applicants must upload an audition video to Decision Desk for preliminary approval by November 15. If preliminary approval is granted, a live audition is arranged. Candidates must audition in person. See www.temple.edu/boyer for audition repertoire requirements.

All works, except sonatas, should be memorized. Applicants must arrange for an accompanist for the live audition.

Scholarly Paper:

Applicants must upload a scholarly paper to Decision Desk by November 15. See www.temple.edu/boyer for details.

Interview:

Applicants are interviewed by the department chair and Associate Dean at the time of the live audition.

Resume:

A resume is required.

Writing Examination:

An on-site Writing Examination is required as part of the doctoral admissions process. Remedial coursework may be required.

Advanced Standing:

The D.M.A. program in Music Performance consists of 55 discrete credits taken beyond the master's degree. At the time of admission, the entire master's degree serves as advanced standing credits. These credits are not counted toward the 55 required credits of the doctoral degree. However, students may transfer into the doctoral program up to 12 additional graduate credits in coursework taken beyond the master's degree. Typically, this coursework is reviewed after admission to the D.M.A. degree and must be approved by the major advisor and the Associate Dean. The maximum number of advanced standing credits awarded is 30.

Additional Requirements:

Applicants must:

1. Include with the application a repertoire list indicating works previously studied. The list should indicate which of the works were performed publicly and, if possible, where and when they were performed.

2. Show transcript evidence at the master's level in the area of bibliographical resources in music. If no transcript evidence is available, students must take MUST 8701: Research in Music in addition to the 6 required credits within the History/Theory area.

Other:

Due to the large number of applications for admission and the competitive nature of its music programs, the College admits only a portion of its applicants. In addition to the general admissions credentials required of all Temple University graduate applicants, specialized admission criteria (i.e., auditions, portfolios, interviews, recommendations, departmental term papers, and standardized examinations) are very heavily weighted in admission decisions of the Boyer College of Music and Dance. Graduate applicants may be rejected for admission for failing to obtain the required level of proficiency in any one area of the specialized admission criteria regardless of the level of success in meeting the Temple University general admission criteria. In addition to the level of success demonstrated in the above-mentioned criteria, a final admission factor is the College's Optimum Enrollment Policy. This Policy may preclude the admission of any student who meets the minimum requirements.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Master's: 55

Required Courses (37 s.h.):

MUSC 9011:  Doctoral Chamber Music (1)

MUSC 9012:  Doctoral Chamber Music (1)

MUSC 9184:  DMA Solo Public Recital (1)

OR

MUSC 9884:  Chamber Music Recital (1)

MUSC 9351:  Performance Traditions (3)

MUSC 9504:  Doctoral Instrumental Major (3)

MUSC 9514:  Doctoral Instrumental Major (3)

MUSC 9517:  Advanced Conducting - Doctoral (2)

MUSC 9524:  Doctoral Instrumental Major (3)

MUSC 9534:  Doctoral Instrumental Major - Recital (3)

MUSC 9561:  Pedagogy (3)

MUSC 9684:  DMA Lecture - Recital (1)

OR

MUSC 9784:  DMA Performance with Orchestra (1)

MUSC 9701:  Doctoral Performance Practice (3)

OR

MUSC 9702:  Doctoral Performance Practice (3)

MUSC 9984:  DMA Final Recital (1)

MUSC 9999:  Monograph Research (6)

MUST 9701:  Doctoral Seminar - Analysis, Interpretation, and Performance (3)

Electives include one in Music History (3 s.h.) and one in Advanced Music (3 s.h.)

MInor Area (12 s.h.) in music selected from courses at the 8404 level or higher

Recitals:

1. Solo public recital by the conclusion of the fourth semester of lessons

(MUSC 9534)

2. Solo public recital (MUSC 9184) or Chamber Music Recital (MUSC 9884)

3. Lecture Recital (MUSC 9684) or Performance with Orchestra (MUSC 9784)

4. Final Doctoral Recital (MUSC 9984)

All degree credits are to be earned at Temple University.

Internship: No internship is required.

Language Examination: No language examination is required.

Additional Requirements:

Written Entrance Examinations:

All doctoral students must take written entrance exams prior to or during the first semester of doctoral study. Candidates who fail the entrance examinations the first time may, upon application to the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies of the Boyer College of Music and Dance, be permitted to take the examinations a second time. A third opportunity is not allowed.

To continue registration in the doctoral program beyond the second semester of study, all portions of the examinations must be passed or the appropriate review courses (or the equivalent, as determined by the examining department) must be in progress. Students planning to take the written examinations should request a list of dates from the graduate secretary and submit a written request to the Associate Dean one month prior to the administration date.

1. Music History Exam: A general examination covering the history of music is administered. Questions relative to forms, styles, and periods of music are included. It is expected that all examinees are acquainted with the standard literature of music.

2. Harmony Exam: This exam involves completion of a harmonic excerpt in advanced chromatic idiom and the creation of a bass line with figuration (figured bass) in Baroque style.

3. Counterpoint Exam: From a given motive, approximately 20 measures of imitative counterpoint in three parts are to be completed.

4. Form and Analysis Exam: A score is provided at the examination that requires analysis of specified passages.

5. Literature and Pedagogy Exam: This examination focuses on the literature and pedagogy of the instrument of specialization.

6. Writing Sample: A 90-minute examination of the student's ability to write at the doctoral level is conducted. Examination topics are of a general nature.

Diagnostic Recital:

A diagnostic recital is required and must be performed before a faculty jury at the conclusion of the first semester of study. The candidate must contact her/his advisor to arrange the jury. The recital consists of a full program, approximately 45 minutes in length, and may include the performance (with music) of a new composition that is presented to the applicant for study 48 hours in advance of the jury. An analysis of repertoire and technical needs results.

Continuous Registration:

Continuous registration of at least 3 s.h. must be maintained each semester, with the exception of Summer, from the time of acceptance into the D.M.A. program in Music Performance until the completion of all coursework.

Continuation in the D.M.A. Program:

Each course or seminar requires an end-of-semester final grade based on papers prepared, recitals presented, discussion, and/or examinations taken during the course of the semester. Each semester of private study culminates in a performance examination or jury, except during semesters in which the student has presented one of the required adjudicated recitals. Screening for continuance in the program after the first semester of study is conducted at adjudicated recitals, end-of-the-semester juries, and major examinations. This ensures that only the most qualified students continue beyond the early stages of the program.

For all doctoral programs, only grades from "A" to "B-" can be applied toward degree requirements. Grades of less than "B-" cannot be counted toward the degree. If the student earns a grade of less than "B-," s/he may, with permission of the department chair and the Associate Dean, retake the semester of study one additional time. The same applies to recitals.

Professional Development Policy:

In addition to taking the required subjects for their degrees, all students in the Boyer College of Music and Dance are obligated to serve in a number of capacities in order to enrich their academic and musical expertise. Boyer College of Music and Dance believes that such experiences give impetus to successful professional careers. Among the duties that may be required are conducting laboratory classes; tutoring; teaching private lessons; coaching; participating in the distribution and inventory control of Temple University-owned musical instruments and instructional materials; participating in ensembles; accompanying; performing at admissions and open house events; supervising performance classes; and engaging in other academic activities.

Performing Ensembles:

1. Touring: All students in touring performing ensembles are required to participate in all scheduled tours. These tours, usually one or two weeks in length, often take place immediately after termination of semesters. Students must arrange their schedules to accommodate this requirement.

2. Non-Credit Participation: With special permission, graduate students for whom there is no ensemble requirement, or where previous ensemble credits exceed the graduation requirement, may participate in choral and instrumental ensembles without cost, with prior permission from the ensemble director, the department chair, and the Associate Dean.

Independent Study Courses:

Independent study courses provide a special opportunity for graduate students to work in a highly individualized setting with one or more faculty members. All such study must receive the approval of the faculty member providing the instruction, the students' major advisor, and the Associate Dean. Approval will be granted only after the student has presented a detailed description of the intended independent study project. Approval of independent study projects will be granted only for students whose academic and musical record provides substantial support for the benefits of this type of study. In no case may more than 20% of a graduate student's curriculum be taken as independent study. Private lessons beyond those required in the curriculum are not an appropriate form of independent study.

Acceptable English:

All students, including those for whom English is not the native language, are expected to present all written work in acceptable English. No double standard exists to differentiate students on the basis of proficiency in the use of the English language. Students are also responsible for becoming familiar with the College's statement on plagiarism and academic honesty.

Graduate Private Lesson Policy:

Weekly one-hour private lessons are provided for all matriculated master's and doctoral performance majors in good standing, provided at least three additional credits of programmatically required graduate-level study are taken simultaneously. A $250 per semester lesson fee (subject to change without notice) is charged for all private lessons. Tuition remission may not be used to cover the private lesson fee.

The four semesters of private lessons must be taken consecutively, with the exception of summers. Any deviation from this must have the approval of the advisor, department chair, and the Associate Dean of the Boyer College of Music and Dance. Graduate assistantships and other forms of University-sponsored financial aid do not cover private lesson and recital extension fees.

Written Preliminary Examinations:

The written preliminary examinations may be taken during the final semester of coursework, but no later than in the semester after completion of coursework. They are administered several times each calendar year, and span two consecutive days of six hours of examination each day. Written and performance examinations should be taken no later than the end of the fifth year to allow for the successful completion of the Final Recital and the writing of the monograph. Preliminary examinations must be successfully completed before formal work on the monograph may be undertaken and before the Final Recital may be presented.

Students planning to take the written examinations should request a list of dates from the graduate secretary and submit a written request to the Associate Dean one month prior to the administration date. Students are then notified in writing of the specific dates and administration times of the preliminary examinations for which they have been scheduled.

The examinations consist of questions relating to the major and minor areas and to musical style; require the student to comment articulately on the style and historical significance of musical compositions; and entail the student discussing and defending the principles of performance on the basis of which s/he would undertake to perform any composition in her/his major area. The questions are prepared by faculty members within the student's major and minor subject areas. At least two graduate faculty members read each section of the written preliminary examinations. Students typically are graded "Pass" or "Fail" based on a consensus of the examination readers.

Oral Preliminary Examinations:

For those students who pass the written preliminary examinations, no oral preliminary examination is required. (This refers only to the oral preliminary examination and does not refer in any way to the oral defense of the dissertation/monograph.)

If a student fails one or more portions of the written preliminary examination, an oral examination is administered by the major advisor and a minimum of two additional faculty members. In the case of failure in one subject area, two members of that department are asked by the student's major advisor to participate with the major advisor in the examination. In the case of failure in more than one subject area, at least one faculty member from each of the departments in which the failure occurred is asked by the student's major advisor to participate in the examination.

The examination is to be a formal oral examination rather than an informal meeting with graduate faculty from departments in which the examination revealed that the student needs further work. This does not preclude such informal meetings, however, in preparation for the oral examination. Upon passing the oral examination, the student, as advised by the examining committee, is permitted to schedule a second and final attempt at the failed portions of the written examination.

Final Recital and Monograph Proposal:

After the successful completion of the written preliminary examinations, MUSC 9984: DMA Final Recital and written monograph are undertaken in consultation with the major advisor, the department chair, and the Doctoral Advisory Committee (DAC). The DAC shall be appointed by the Associate Dean to adjudicate the Final Recital and to guide the student in writing both the monograph proposal and the final document itself. When the student, in consultation with the major advisor and department chair, has identified a tentative advisory committee, the chair gives those names to the Associate Dean for consideration. The Associate Dean appoints the DAC. The DAC consists of no fewer than three persons: two faculty members from within the department, and a third person from outside the department. Members of the DAC serve as the adjudicators of the Final Recital.

After a proposal for the monograph has been developed by the student in consultation with the DAC, the student prepares a final copy for approval. Each member of the DAC must sign the final proposal. Once all DAC members have signed the title page, the student copies the final proposal and delivers within 30 days one copy to each member of the DAC, the department chair, the Associate Dean, and the Graduate School. Students register for MUSC 9998 during the writing of the monograph proposal and MUSC 9999 after the proposal has been officially approved. Doctoral candidates are required to register for a minimum of 6 credit hours of MUSC 9999: Monograph Research during their program as a whole and must register for a minimum of 1 such credit each semester.

Recital Extension:

Students withdrawing from the recital requirement during the recital semester will receive an Incomplete and must register for extended study for non-degree credit (MUIC 5000: Recital Extension for 2 credits). Recital Extension must be taken each semester until the recital has been presented. This course will be offered on a "Credit/No Credit" basis only. Upon satisfactory completion of the recital, the Incomplete for the recital course will be replaced by a letter grade and MUSC 5000: Recital Extension will be issued a grade of "CR." Credit derived from Recital Extension will not be counted toward degree requirements.

1. Recital Extension Fees: Tuition for these additional terms of private study will be the cost of 2 graduate credits plus a $400 Recital Extension fee. Graduate assistantships and other forms of University-sponsored financial aid do not cover the Recital Extension fee.

2. Exceptions to Recital Extension: (a) Students who perform their recitals during the first three weeks of the Spring semester are not required to register for Recital Extension that semester. (b) Students who register for Recital Extension during the Summer may perform their recitals during the first three weeks of the Fall semester. However, if the student does not take Recital Extension during the Summer, s/he may not present the recital in the Fall semester, regardless of the date, without also registering for the Fall semester of Recital Extension.

3. Failure to Present Recital: The degree status of students who are unable to present a recital after one semester of Recital Extension will be reviewed by the Associate Dean and the major advisor, who, in consultation with the major teacher and department, will determine whether or not the student may continue in the program. Inability to present the recital after one semester of Recital Extension may be grounds for dismissal from the degree program for failing to maintain reasonable academic progress.

Final Oral Examination:

When the monograph is complete, the major advisor of the Doctoral Advisory Committee (DAC) asks the Associate Dean to appoint an outside reader. The DAC plus the outside reader constitute the Dissertation Examining Committee (DEC) for the monograph defense. Doctoral candidates must schedule a defense of the monograph with the Associate Dean at least one month before the requested defense date. Forms to schedule the defense are available from the graduate secretary.

Doctoral candidates must submit a defense copy of the monograph to members of the DEC and the Associate Dean at least two weeks prior to the defense. Students should register for MUSC 9999: Monograph  Research (1-6 s.h.) each semester, Fall and Spring, until the final project has been successfully defended. Doctoral candidates are required to register for a minimum of 6 credit hours of MUSC 9999 during their program as a whole, but must register for a minimum of one such credit each semester.

Incompletes:

All incomplete grades and keyboard proficiencies must be fulfilled by the first day of the month in which the student expects to graduate.

Culminating Events:

Final Recital:

Students may present the DMA Final Recital (MUSC 9984) after the preliminary examination has been completed and the DAC has been appointed.

Proposal:

After a proposal for the monograph has been developed by the student in consultation with the DAC, the student prepares a final copy for approval. Each member of the DAC must sign the final proposal. Once all DAC members have signed the title page, the student copies the final proposal and delivers one copy to each member of the DAC, the department chair, the Associate Dean, and the Graduate School within 30 days.

Monograph:

Early in the semester in which a defense of the monograph is anticipated, the major advisor notifies the Associate Dean that it is time to appoint the Dissertation Examining Committee (DEC). The DEC consists of the DAC plus an "outside" reader, who is an additional graduate faculty member from Temple or another university, but not from the faculty of the student's home department.

Doctoral candidates must schedule a defense of the monograph with the Associate Dean at least one month before the requested defense date. Forms to schedule the defense are available from the graduate secretary.  This includes the "Announcement of Oral Defense" form, which must bear all appropriate signatures and be submitted to the Associate Dean.

Two weeks prior to the oral defense, the student submits individual copies of the abstract and the completed dissertation/monograph to the Associate Dean and each member of the DEC. The graduate secretary notifies the Graduate School and posts notices of the impending defense on bulletin boards located within the Boyer College of Music and Dance. All members of the DEC attend the oral defense and then vote to pass or fail the monograph and its defense after the conclusion of the public presentation.

Changes in membership of a DAC or a DEC must be approved by the Associate Dean. The change also must be communicated to the Graduate School.

Contacts

Program Contact Information:

www.temple.edu/boyer/

Department Information:

Dept. of Instrumental Studies
Boyer College of Music and Dance
2001 North 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
tstaffor@temple.edu
215-204-5527

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

James Short
jshort@temple.edu
215-204-8598

Program Coordinator:

Eric Schweingruber

eschwein@temple.edu

215-204-9792

Graduate Chairperson:

Professor Terell Stafford

tstaffor@temple.edu

215-204-5527

Chairperson:

Professor Terell Stafford

tstaffor@temple.edu

215-204-5527

About the Program

The objective of the D.M.A. program in Percussion Performance is to foster growth and development of the highest and most sophisticated expression of musical interpretation through performance under the guidance of a very highly specialized faculty.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 7 years

Campus Location:

Main

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered before and after 4:30 p.m. Students are also able to complete the degree program on a part-time basis (8 credit hours or less per semester).

Department Information:

Dept. of Instrumental Studies

Boyer College of Music and Dance

2001 North 13th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19122

tstaffor@temple.edu

215-204-5527

Interdisciplinary Study:

Not applicable.

Affiliation(s):

Not applicable.

Study Abroad:

No.

Ranking:

Boyer College of Music and Dance has been ranked among the top 30 music schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

Accreditation:

The degree program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Areas of Specialization:

Diverse areas of study are included to ensure the broadest possible cultivation and expansion of students' talents.

Job Placement:

Graduates of the program typically find employment in professional music ensembles throughout the world, in colleges and universities, and in private teaching studios, among other employment venues.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy:

Non-matriculated students may enroll in selected courses in music with permission, but may not take applied lessons until they have been fully admitted and matriculated.

Financing Opportunities

Boyer College of Music and Dance offers a number of assistantships and academic internships to matriculated graduate students. Full awards carry a cash stipend plus full tuition remission for the Fall and Spring semesters. Partial awards also are available in values of 1/4 or 1/2 of a full award. Duties for assistantships and internships vary, but typically include teaching, tutoring, classroom assistance, research, artistic performance, and/or direct service related to academic programs. Applicants must submit an assistantship/internship application by March 1 to obtain priority consideration for an award. Applications are available online at the Graduate Financial Aid page of Boyer's website. Typically these awards are made only in the Fall semester for up to two semesters: Fall and Spring. Awards may be renewed on an annual basis (typically up to one additional year for master's students and up to three years for doctoral students) based on departmental needs as well as satisfactory academic and musical progress by the recipient.

Updated 8.29.13