Doctor of Music
Encyclopedia
The Doctor of Music degree (D.Mus., D.M.,Mus.D. or Mus.Doc.), like other doctorates, is an academic degree
of the highest level. The D.Mus. is intended for musicians and composers who wish to combine the highest attainments in their area of specialization with doctoral-level academic study in music. (In the UK, apart from only a few universities (such as those of Oxford and Cambridge) and some music conservatories, the majority of doctoral level qualifications in music are styled with the generic doctoral title of PhD
).
D.Mus. students complete advanced studies in one of typically three musical areas: performance (including conducting
); musical composition
; or musicology
. Assessment varies with subject matter and University. A musicologist would be expected to produce a thesis
on a specialised subject matter, whilst a performer would give recitals, and a composer would present a portfolio of compositions. Once obtained, D.Mus performers and composers may expect to be able to progress into their associated professional careers, whilst musicologists may continue with post-doctoral research.
In the United Kingdom
, Ireland
and some Commonwealth
countries, the DMus is a higher doctorate, awarded on the basis of a substantial portfolio of compositions and/or scholarly publications on music. Most universities restrict candidature to their own graduates or staff, which is a reversal of the practice in former times, when (unlike higher degrees in other faculties) candidates for the degree were not required to be a Master of Arts
. While most graduate programs in the United States offer a D.M.A.
degree, Indiana University has been issuing the DMus degree since 1953.
The Doctor of Music degree has also been awarded honoris causa when presented to musicians and composers such as Joseph Haydn
, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
, Joan Baez
, Matthew Bellamy
, Richard Strauss
, Daniel Barenboim
, Bruce Dickinson
, Bob Dylan
, Kenny Garrett
, Billy Joel
, Mark Knopfler
, David Gilmour
and Sir Paul McCartney. It has also been awarded as an honorary degree
to musical artists who were not composers, including the ballet dancers Dame Alicia Markova and Dame Beryl Grey
, as well as female royalty regardless of their experience in music.
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
of the highest level. The D.Mus. is intended for musicians and composers who wish to combine the highest attainments in their area of specialization with doctoral-level academic study in music. (In the UK, apart from only a few universities (such as those of Oxford and Cambridge) and some music conservatories, the majority of doctoral level qualifications in music are styled with the generic doctoral title of PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
).
D.Mus. students complete advanced studies in one of typically three musical areas: performance (including conducting
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
); musical composition
Musical composition
Musical composition can refer to an original piece of music, the structure of a musical piece, or the process of creating a new piece of music. People who practice composition are called composers.- Musical compositions :...
; or musicology
Musicology
Musicology is the scholarly study of music. The word is used in narrow, broad and intermediate senses. In the narrow sense, musicology is confined to the music history of Western culture...
. Assessment varies with subject matter and University. A musicologist would be expected to produce a thesis
Thesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
on a specialised subject matter, whilst a performer would give recitals, and a composer would present a portfolio of compositions. Once obtained, D.Mus performers and composers may expect to be able to progress into their associated professional careers, whilst musicologists may continue with post-doctoral research.
In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and some Commonwealth
Commonwealth
Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic."More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations...
countries, the DMus is a higher doctorate, awarded on the basis of a substantial portfolio of compositions and/or scholarly publications on music. Most universities restrict candidature to their own graduates or staff, which is a reversal of the practice in former times, when (unlike higher degrees in other faculties) candidates for the degree were not required to be a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (Oxbridge)
In the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Dublin, Bachelors of Arts of these universities are admitted to the degree of Master of Arts or Master in Arts on application after six or seven years' seniority as members of the university .There is no examination or study required for the degree...
. While most graduate programs in the United States offer a D.M.A.
Doctor of Musical Arts
The Doctor of Musical Arts degree is a doctoral academic degree in music. The D.M.A. combines advanced studies in an applied area of specialization with graduate-level academic study in subjects such as music history, music theory, or music pedagogy. The D.M.A...
degree, Indiana University has been issuing the DMus degree since 1953.
The Doctor of Music degree has also been awarded honoris causa when presented to musicians and composers such as Joseph Haydn
Joseph Haydn
Franz Joseph Haydn , known as Joseph Haydn , was an Austrian composer, one of the most prolific and prominent composers of the Classical period. He is often called the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet" because of his important contributions to these forms...
, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Russian: Пётр Ильи́ч Чайко́вский ; often "Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky" in English. His names are also transliterated "Piotr" or "Petr"; "Ilitsch", "Il'ich" or "Illyich"; and "Tschaikowski", "Tschaikowsky", "Chajkovskij"...
, Joan Baez
Joan Baez
Joan Chandos Baez is an American folk singer, songwriter, musician and a prominent activist in the fields of human rights, peace and environmental justice....
, Matthew Bellamy
Matthew Bellamy
Matthew James Bellamy is an English musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the lead vocalist, lead guitarist, pianist, and main songwriter of the alternative rock band Muse.-Early life:...
, Richard Strauss
Richard Strauss
Richard Georg Strauss was a leading German composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras. He is known for his operas, which include Der Rosenkavalier and Salome; his Lieder, especially his Four Last Songs; and his tone poems and orchestral works, such as Death and Transfiguration, Till...
, Daniel Barenboim
Daniel Barenboim
Daniel Barenboim, KBE is an Argentinian-Israeli pianist and conductor. He has served as music director of several major symphonic and operatic orchestras and made numerous recordings....
, Bruce Dickinson
Bruce Dickinson
Paul Bruce Dickinson is an English singer, songwriter, airline pilot, fencer, broadcaster, author, screenwriter, actor and marketing director, best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden....
, Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
, Kenny Garrett
Kenny Garrett
Kenny Garrett is a Grammy Award-winning American post bop jazz saxophonist and flautist who gained fame in his youth as a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and of Miles Davis's band. He has since pursued a critically acclaimed solo career...
, Billy Joel
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
, Mark Knopfler
Mark Knopfler
Mark Freuder Knopfler, OBE is a Scottish-born British guitarist, singer, songwriter, record producer and film score composer. He is best known as the lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the British rock band Dire Straits, which he co-founded in 1977...
, David Gilmour
David Gilmour
David Jon Gilmour, CBE, D.M. is an English rock musician and multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the guitarist, one of the lead singers and main songwriters in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Gilmour has worked as a producer for a variety of...
and Sir Paul McCartney. It has also been awarded as an honorary degree
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
to musical artists who were not composers, including the ballet dancers Dame Alicia Markova and Dame Beryl Grey
Dame Beryl Grey
Dame Beryl Elizabeth Grey , DBE, DMus, DLitt, Ed.D, FRSA is a retired English ballerina. She began dance classes at the age of 4 while attending Sherbourne Preparatory School, and by age 8 was being taught ballet by Phyllis Bedells...
, as well as female royalty regardless of their experience in music.