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Fall 2025 Graduate Catalog
Music Performance, DMA
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 Return to: Doctoral Programs
Department of Music, College of Arts and Sciences
Degree Awarded: Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Performance
Chairperson: Christina Dahl; Staller Center 3304 (631) 632-7330
Graduate Program Director: Judith Lochhead; Staller Center 3346 (631) 632-7349
Graduate Program Coordinator: Monica Winchell (631) 632-7352
Department Website
The Department of Music offers programs that normally lead to the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Music, with tracks in Critical Music Studies and in Composition. The Department also offers programs that normally lead to the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Performance.Master’s Degrees in Music with tracks in Critical Music Studies, in Composition, and in Music Performance are also available.
Stony Brook’s graduate programs in Music have grown out of a unique partnership between the academy and the conservatory. The Music Department has a distinguished and well-balanced faculty in the scholarly study of music, composition, and performance. Graduate curricula are designed to facilitate interaction among musical disciplines that have traditionally been kept separate. A number of courses are team-taught by two or more faculty members, examining topics from several disciplinary viewpoints, and academic courses typically have a mix of students from all areas. Several examine music in a broader social context, drawing on such disciplines as ethnomusicology, cultural studies, and feminist theory. Interdisciplinary studies are central to the educational philosophy of the department, and the Department encourages the development of professional competence in more than one area of musical study. For students at the Doctoral level who propose to do serious work both in performance and in some other area, a variety of options are available, including some dual degrees.
Music of the 20th and 21st centuries is a particular emphasis of both the performance and academic programs, but other areas are also amply represented. Students can choose seminars from a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from the history of music theory to American popular music.Performing organizations include Baroque Chamber Ensemble, Chamber Music, Jazz Ensemble, Contemporary Chamber Players, Camerata Singers, Stony Brook Symphony Orchestra, VOLTA West African Music Ensemble, and Opera Workshop.
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Admission Requirements
Admissions Website Admission to the MM/DMA Program at the Master’s Level The following are required for admission to the MM Program in Performance, in addition to the requirements of the Graduate School: A. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution. B. Official transcripts of all undergraduate records, and all graduate records, where applicable. C. An audition in the major field of performance. Students residing at a distance from the University may gain provisional acceptance by sending a recorded audition. Audition dates, usually designated for February, are announced by the Department mid-fall. These dates, as well as specific requirements for auditions, are posted on the Departmental website. D. Letters of recommendation from the former principal teacher and at least two other persons familiar with the student’s work. One letter should come from a person familiar with the student’s academic work. E. While acceptance into the program is based primarily upon excellence in performance, the program contains a significant academic component. Applicants to the program are therefore required to submit two examples of their work in music history, music theory, or ethnomusicology, such as papers completed as part of coursework in those One paper is required for entry at the master’s level; two are required for entry at the doctoral level. F. Acceptance by both the Department of Music and the Graduate School. Entering students will be examined in ear training during the week before the beginning of classes, and will be placed in the appropriate courses. Entering students in Voice will also be examined in basic keyboard skills. Admission to the DMA Program See Admission to the M.M./D.M.A. Program, above. In addition, a master’s degree, usually in the pertinent area of performance, is required.Applicants must audition in person before a faculty committee. Students residing at a significant distance from the University may gain provisional acceptance by sending a recorded audition. Audition dates, usually designated for February, are announced by the Department mid-fall. These dates, as well as specific requirements for auditions, are posted to the Department’s website. Students who do not possess a Master of Music degree from Stony Brook must demonstrate a level of achievement in ear training, and demonstrate preparation in music history and theory, commensurate with the M.M. requirements. Voice students who do not possess a Master of Music degree from Stony Brook must also satisfy the piano proficiency and foreign language requirements of the Stony Brook M.M. degree in Voice. Harpsichord students who do not have a Stony Brook M.M. must also satisfy the foreign language requirement of the Stony Brook M.M.in Harpsichord. Applicants who plan to include a secondary area of specialization in Composition or Critical Music Studies within their D.M.A. program must apply by submitting examples of work in the proposed secondary area and demonstrating to the pertinent faculty competence commensurate with
a master’s degree at a distinguished level in that area. Students who are accepted in a secondary area of specialization must take the appropriate advisory examinations described under Admission to the M.A. Program. These exams are advisory only; students will be advised on which courses to take to address any gaps or develop specific skills. These must be completed by the end of the first year of study. Although most students will move directly from the Master’s to the Doctoral level of the M.M./D.M.A. program, successful completion of the Stony Brook M.M. degree does not guarantee acceptance into the D.M.A.-level program. Students wishing to continue from the master’s to the Doctorate degree must formally apply for admission to the Ph.D. program by the posted deadlines for fall admission. This should be accompanied by two letters of recommendation from Stony Brook faculty; typically this will be the studio teacher and one academic faculty member. In order to demonstrate the ability to continue at the doctoral level, students must play an audition. Students may also elect to finish with the M.M. degree. One course from Elective Group 1:
One course from Elective Group 2:
Work in the Student’s Area of Specialization (Contract Recitals)
Progress during residence in the program will be demonstrated through the presentation of four recitals, not including the lecture-recital or doctoral degree recital, as outlined on a Performance Contract approved by the student’s Advisor. Four Contract Recitals
The following requirements apply: a. Performance of 60 minutes of music on each recital, with the exception of Brass, where 50 minutes is permitted
b. Two of the Contract Recitals must be solo recitals, unless otherwise specified by the student’s Advisor
c. Inclusion of a substantial composition written before 1750 and at least 60 minutes of challenging new music from the 20th and 21st centuries, equivalent to at least one full recital’s worth Public Lecture-Recital
A lecture illustrated by live performance, the Lecture-Recital may deal with historical or analytical questions, questions related to cultural context, or with performance practice and interpretative issues. The following policies apply: a. Students must enroll in MUS 696 : Doctoral Colloquium or Lecture Recital in the semester in which they elect to do the Lecture-Recital. b. Students enroll in MUS 696 with their studio teacher, who serves as the Lecture-Recital Advisor. c. In order to receive a grade for MUS 696 , students must submit the Lecture-Recital Proposal form, approved by the student’s Advisor, to the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) for review by semester deadlines d. The music performed in the lecture-recital may also appear on one of the doctoral recital programs, but not in the Final Recital. e. The lecture-recital may also be devoted to music of the 20th and 21st centuries. Students who propose to work in a second area of specialization should see section entitled Work in the Area of 20th and 21st Century Music below. In order to advance to Candidacy, students must present either (1) three of the Contract Recitals or (2) two Contract Recitals and the Lecture-Recital. If the student presents three Contract Recitals prior to advancement to Candidacy, the fourth Contract Recital and Lecture-Recital may be presented after advancement to Candidacy. If the student presents two contract recitals and the Lecture-Recital prior to advancement to Candidacy, the third and fourth Contract Recitals may be presented after advancement to Candidacy. Work in the Area of 20th and 21st Century Music
The recitals, described above in the section entitled Work in the Student’s Area of Specialization (Contract Recitals), should include a substantial amount of music from the 20th and 21st centuries (the equivalent of at least one full recital’s worth) including recent and challenging works. The lecture-recital may also be devoted to music of the 20th and 21st centuries. Large Ensemble
All D.M.A. students have a large ensemble requirement for at least four semesters. For details, see Track-Specific Requirements below. Chamber Music
All D.M.A. students have a chamber music requirement for four semesters. For details, see Track-Specific Requirements below. Languages
Some D.M.A. students have a language requirement. For details, see Track-Specific Requirements below. Genre Requirements
Some D.M.A. students have specific genre requirements. Genre requirements can be fulfilled by a performance on a degree recital or on the end-of-semester chamber music recitals. The degree recital does not need to be the student’s own recital. However, if the student’s genre requirement is fulfilled by playing on a colleague’s degree recital, documentation must be provided for his or her doctoral file in the form of a program. For details see Track-Specific Requirements below. Teaching
A minimum of two semester-long courses, either or both of which may comprise individual lessons, ensemble coaching, or classroom teaching, is required. This requirement may be met by private teaching or teaching at another institution (see the Graduate Program Director for details). Doctoral Jury Examinations
A preliminary doctoral jury will be played during the first full year of residency. A second, 20-minute jury examination will be played no later than the end of the second year. Both juries must be passed as a condition for advancement to candidacy. First-Year Academic Review
In order to be in good standing, D.M.A. students must have taken the following: MUS 520 (unless waived) and one academic course required by the end of the first year of the program; MUS 505 and MUS 506 (unless exempted); and the foreign language exam or be in the appropriate language course (if applicable; see track-specific requirements), by the beginning of the second semester. The Graduate Program Director will monitor the academic progress of D.M.A. students by asking all academic advisors to submit progress checklists in February of each year. Secondary Area of Specialization
D.M.A. students who wish to pursue an M.A. in Music degree in a secondary area (Composition or Critical Music Studies tracks) must apply for admission for that degree (for more information, see Admission to the DMA Program). D.M.A. students may also carry out advanced work in a secondary area (in Composition and/or Critical Music Studies) as an integral part of the program, without the intent to complete a degree in that area. Student who wish to do this must do one or both of the following: - Present a number of musical compositions demonstrating fluency in working with a variety of contemporary performance media.
- Present a number of essays demonstrating proficiency in various aspects of musicological research, theoretical studies, analysis, or criticism.The essays may have been prepared as part of coursework.
Track-Specific Requirements for the D.M.A. in Music Performance
In addition to the general requirements listed above, students are required to complete track-specific requirements as follows: Strings, Woodwinds, Brass and Percussion
Large Ensemble Requirement:
Students who are registered part-time are required to participate in the Stony Brook Symphony Orchestra on a part-time basis. Under extraordinary circumstances a student may petition to have this requirement waived on a per-concert basis; a memorandum outlining policies and procedures for such a waiver is available from the Music Department’s Graduate Office. Chamber Music Requirement:
Four semesters from the following Chamber Music (small ensemble) electives: Note:
Courses may berepeated for credit. Genre Requirements are as follows:
- Violin, Viola, Cello: Every D.M.A. student must include a string quartet and a piece for mixed ensemble larger than two on a concert or concerts during the course of their D.M.A
- Bass: A piece for two mixed groups larger than two
- Woodwinds: A piece for mixed ensemble larger than two
- Brass: A piece for mixed ensemble larger than two
- Percussion: Each full-time percussion student should perform at least once in a piece with percussionists and once in a mixed ensemble piece every academic year. Additionally, percussionists are required to participate in chamber music activities within the percussion studio, as well as with other studios. They must be available for participation in percussion pieces performed as part of the annual season of the Contemporary Chamber Players, and they must participate on other chamber music activities, either as small ensembles (duos, trios, etc.) with other musicians in the department.
Large Ensemble Requirement:
This requirement may be waived at the request of either theconductor or the major teacher. Chamber Music Requirement:
Four courses from the following Vocal Chamber Music (small ensemble) electives: Piano Proficiency Requirement:
All D.M.A. students must enroll in MUS 509 - Performance Studies for piano proficiency for one or twosemesters contingent on assessment. Qualified students may be exempted from this course through a placement exam given at the beginning of the fall semester. Vocal Coaching Requirement:
Language Requirements (Working Knowledge):
Voice students must provide proof of equivalency of one year’s college-level study of two of the following three languages: French, German, or Italian. Working/reading knowledge is determined by exam given by the Stony Brook Language Learning Resource Center (LLRC) and/or proof of coursework. Students who do not pass the examination must take the courses recommended by the LLRC and achieve a grade of B or higher. Students who have not had any previous foreign language study must take a year of college-level elementary foreign language courses and achieve a grade of B or higher to satisfy the requirement. Language Requirements (Reading Knowledge):
Voice students must also demonstrate a reading knowledge of any two of the following four languages: French, German, Italian and Russian. Working/reading knowledge is determined by exam and/or proof of coursework. Large Ensemble Requirement:
Participation in the accompaniment pool is required of all pianists and harpsichordists during each semester of full-time residence. After the fulfillment of four semesters of MUS 586 /MUS 587 , pianists must also enroll in MUS 586 /MUS 587 in each semester in which they take lessons or in which they want to be paid for accompanying. Pianists enrolled in MUS 586 /MUS 587 are required to accompany the equivalent of two full recitals (or other approved events such as auditions, juries, etc.) for each academic year in which they are enrolled. (After fulfilling the two-recital equivalent requirement, pianists may play additional recitals/events and will be compensated by the department). Chamber Music Requirement:
Four courses from the following Chamber Music (small ensemble) electives: Note:
Courses may be repeated for credit. Genre Requirements:
One chamber piece that is for trio or a larger ensemble. Large Ensemble Requirement:
Participation in the accompaniment pool is required of all pianists and harpsichordists during each semester of full-time residence. The MUS 586 /MUS 587 requirement for harpsichordists is considered to be fulfilled when they are concurrently signed up for MUS 584 - Baroque Chamber Ensemble (Harpsichordists will be paid for additional accompaniment). Chamber Music Requirement:
Language Requirements:
Harpsichord students must demonstrate knowledge equivalent to a year’s college-level study of any two of the following languages: French, German, Italian or Latin. Working/reading knowledge is determined by exam given by the Stony Brook Language Learning Resource Center (LLRC) and/or a departmental exam, and/or proof of previous coursework, contingent on advising. Students who do not pass the examination must take the courses recommended by the LLRC and achieve a grade of B or higher. Students who have not had any previous foreign language study must take a year of a college-level elementary foreign language course and achieve a grade of B or higher to satisfy the requirement. Genre Requirements:
- Continuo: At least one work that is vocal, and one that is instrumental, with different national or period styles if possible.
- Obbligato: At least one sonata with a written out obbligato part by Bach or one of his contemporaries.
Large Ensemble Requirement:
Chamber Music Requirement:
Four courses from the following Note:
Courses may be repeated for credit. Language Requirement:
Guitar students must demonstrate a working knowledge of Spanish. Working knowledge is determined by exam given by the Stony Brook Language Learning Resource Center (LLRC). Students who do not pass the examination must take the courses recommended by the LLRC and achieve a grade of B or higher. Large Ensemble Requirement:
Chamber Music Requirement:
Advancement to Candidacy
- The student may advance to candidacy after completion of the following requirements:
- Three of the four contract recitals and submission of the Performance Contract (see the section entitled Work in the Student’s Area of Specialization (Contract Recitals) above).
- Completion of General Requirements and Track-Specific Requirements (see those sections above).
- In programs which require more than one language, all but one language.
- Completion of both Juries.
- Advancement to Candidacy is granted by the Graduate School upon recommendation from the departmental Graduate Program Director.
Completion of the Degree: Doctoral Degree Examination and Final Recital
For D.M.A., the equivalent of a dissertation is the Final Recital. D.M.A. students are examined on historical, analytical, performance practice,and critical aspects of their final recital repertory in the Doctoral Degree Examination. - Doctoral Degree Examination
After all requirements have been completed, and in consultation with their Advisor, D.M.A. students must: - Submit a program of the proposed doctoral degree recital, bearing the signature of the Advisor, to the Graduate Program Director and GraduateStudies Committee for approval. The program must not include works previously performed to satisfy other graduate degree requirements.
- Submit a doctoral examination prospectus and polished program notes for a general public. The prospectus focuses on significant analytical,historical, and interpretative aspects of the works to be performed, and will serve as the basis of the doctoral examination. Students may viewsample prospectuses on the department website and should review the Oral Exam Guidelines prior to the exam (this document is also available onthe department website).
- Appear before an Examining Committee to demonstrate mastery of the doctoral degree recital program and of areas pertinent to the works to beperformed. The doctoral degree recital examination and final recital should take place within six semesters after advancement.
- Doctoral Degree Recital
The doctoral degree recital should be performed after the degree recital examination has been passed. It must demonstrate a distinguished,professional level of performance and be presented on campus. A recording of this recital, along with the program, is deposited in the UniversityLibrary. |
Return to: Doctoral Programs
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