Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance, Winds & Percussion
Application deadlines are specific to degree programs. See our Graduate Admissions page for a list of all deadlines.
Designed for students seeking the highest degree in the field, the DMA is a rigorous three-year course of study culminating in three doctoral recitals in lieu of a dissertation.
Curriculum
The doctoral degree is awarded on the basis of demonstrated competence, not on a specified number of credit hours. Completion of the program normally requires six terms of full-time study beyond the master’s degree. Students are expected to attain candidacy effective at the beginning of the sixth term.
Final Project:
Three doctoral recitals in lieu of a dissertation.
Courses
SMTD offers a wide variety of courses across all disciplines.
Silent Advisor
Degree requirements and term-by-term layout for current students.
Funding
Nearly all DMA students receive full-tuition fellowships. Most also receive health benefits and a stipend attached to a Graduate Student Assistantship, which can vary in proportion to the appointment fraction and the duties associated with it. In addition to the funding packages offered by the SMTD, Rackham students are also eligible to apply for a wide range of fellowships to fund research, travel, and performance.
Residency Requirement
At least one academic year of full-time residence is required.
Faculty
Ian Antonio
Chad Burrow
Jeremy Epp
Daniel Gilbert
David Jackson
Bryan Kennedy
Nancy Ambrose King
Jeffrey Lyman
Timothy McAllister
Doug Perkins
Amy Porter
Thomas Sherwood
Robert Sullivan
Adam Unsworth
Nancy Zeltsman
David Zerkel
Performance Opportunities
From large ensembles in celebrated concert halls to chamber groups in intimate recital spaces, performance opportunities across all disciplines abound, with nearly 900 student performances each academic year. Whether your focus is on early, classical, or contemporary music, whether your passion is for jazz, electronic, or world music, there is an ensemble—or in many cases, multiple ensembles—to suit your interests.
Bands & Wind Ensembles
With several large ensembles to choose from, wind and percussion students can explore a range of opportunities for immersive performance experiences.
Orchestras
SMTD orchestras offer numerous concerts each season, performing notable works in the symphonic repertoire as well as abundant newly commissioned works.
Chamber Music
The thriving chamber music scene at SMTD offers students nearly limitless options to perform, innovate, and collaborate in small, self-driven, and diverse ensembles.
Early Music Ensembles
Students interested in historically oriented performance have opportunities to explore music from across the centuries, performed on authentic period instruments and high-quality replicas.
Solo & Studio Recitals
Across all disciplines, students perform and study with their peers in studio classes and perform for the public in solo student recitals and studio recitals.
Jazz Ensembles
With large and small jazz ensembles exploring a range of styles, SMTD offers abundant opportunities for students – music majors and non-majors alike – to perform.