Music Conducting - Doctor of Musical Arts

Complete 8 credits from the following courses:
Seminar in Wind Conducting
Seminar in Orchestral Conducting
Seminar in Choral Conducting
Complete a minimum of 3 credits in Music 830 Research Methods and Materials in Music, three courses in music theory at the 800- or 900-level, and at least 6 additional credits of 800-or 900-level courses in music history as specified by the student’s guidance committee.
Complete at least 6 credits of electives as specified by the student's guidance committee.
Pass the written comprehensive examinations in musicology and music theory and two examinations related to the student’s area of conducting. One of these will be a take-home examination. The other will be taken on the MSU campus. Students become eligible to take the comprehensive examination in each of these areas during the semester in which they are completing the required course work in that area.
Complete the following requirements in lieu of 24 credits of Music 999, a doctoral dissertation, and a final oral examination in defense of the dissertation:
Complete 24 credits of Music 997 Doctoral Concert Conducting.
Direct various ensembles on four different programs containing repertoire which demonstrates the ability to program creatively, to execute music in various period styles and forms, and to work effectively with diverse groups.
Performing groups for the required conducting appearances may be ensembles from the College of Music, or any school, church, or community musical ensemble able to meet the demands of the repertoire.
Two of the first three conducting appearances must be presented within six calendar months of each other. The first three conducting appearances will be graded by the major professor and by at least one other faculty member in the student's major area.
The fourth conducting appearance must involve a complete program. This appearance will be graded by all of the members of the student's guidance committee with the exception of the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies.
Every conducting appearance must be video recorded in the format specified by the student's major professor.
With the prior approval of the student's major professor, any of the four required conducting appearances may take place off campus. In the event that a conducting appearance is off campus, the appearance will be graded on the basis of the video recording of the appearance.
Submit a scholarly paper exhibiting a thorough understanding of a significant and relevant topic approved by the student's major professor and take a final oral examination of approximately two hours based on the paper.
A final copy of the paper referenced in item 5. c. above will be retained by the College as part of the permanent degree record. The final copy must be approved by the guidance committee and submitted to the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies before the degree can be completed.
Students majoring in choral conducting must complete MUS 891 Special Topics and enroll in the section on Score Study and Interpretation through String Bowing.
Students majoring in choral conducting must demonstrate proficiency in vocal pedagogy by taking MUS 340 Methods and Literature for Voice. These credits will not count toward those required for the degree. This requirement will be waived if the student’s transcript shows successful completion of a similar course at another institution.
Students majoring in choral or orchestral conducting must demonstrate proficiency in French, German, Italian, English, and Latin through an assessment administered as part of the audition process. Lack of proficiency in any language must be addressed by enrolling in MUS 845 Secondary or Specialist Emphasis: Voice, which will focus on repertoire in the deficient language(s) and will include a jury for the voice faculty.