Programs and Admissions > Graduate > Doctor of Musical Arts

Doctor of Musical Arts

The D.M.A. program is designed for performers and composers who have already reached a high level of proficiency and artistry in their fields and who may wish to teach at the university level. This program offers an opportunity to bring creative and performance achievement to a high level while enriching individual backgrounds with cognitive studies. Candidates in music performance are expected to pursue supplementary individual projects in performance practice and music literature. Studies in music theory and music history are included. Graduate student composers work closely with faculty in composition and music theory, and are expected to compose major works for public performance in addition to fulfilling course requirements.

Performers in the D.M.A. may concentrate in piano, voice, and orchestral instruments. In addition to fulfilling recital requirements for their degrees, students of performance have many opportunities to play in large and small ensembles of substantial quality, both for credit and in voluntary support of colleagues. Ensembles specializing in new music, early music, and non-European music are available for credit. The School typically presents one or more fully staged operas each year.

Graduate student composers have occasions to hear their works in regularly scheduled concerts as well as in their degree recitals. The UBC Symphony performs or reads students' orchestra pieces from time to time and the choirs are all active in presenting student works. The computer music studio is of considerable scope and is open to students on a 24-hour basis.

Specializations offered:

Composition
Orchestral Instrument Performance
Piano
Voice

The University of British Columbia

Doctor of Musical Arts