TubeNet

Hello TubeNet--

I am beginning to think about pursuing a DMA in Performance.

I am curious for some information from those of you who have completed a DMA, are currently pursuing a DMA in tuba or euphonium, or are interested in replying!!!!

What sort of projects are you required to do at your school?
Do you have a dissertation? If so, what is your topic?

Do you have a series of recitals and a lecture recital?
If so, how are you structuring your lecture recital and on what subject?

I am just curious to know what sort of things people are doing now. If you are not a recent graduate or current student, what sort of things would you be interested to know? What sort of dissertations or lecture recitals would you find helpful or beneficial to you?

Thanks in advance for your time, TubeNet!

Andy Larson

Bump-aroni...

No responses at all?

I am in my second year, pursuing my DMA at the University of Southern Mississippi. There is a lot of couse work for this DMA though I have no comparison. I do know it's more than any of my previous schools. I am required 9 hours of theory, 12 hours of history, 2 performance practice classes, 2 semesters of graduate level language, a bibliography class, a semester of writing about music, tuba/euphonium literature, tuba/euphonium pedagogy, one major ensemble per semester I am enrolled in classes, plus any other ensembles that I need or choose to be in, and 30 hours of "studio performance/recitals (some of this can be transfered from previous graduate schools if the appropriate professor approves). As far as recitals, I am required 1 solo recital, 1 other recital (which can be a solo, chamber, lecture, or concerto with wind ensemble or orchestra), and a lecture recital (usually based on the topic of your dissertation and completed the semester you plan to graduate). A dissertation is also required. I have changed my topic several times and since I haven't done any research on the topic I am currently considering it would not be helpful to either of us for me to go into that now. All this must pass a commitee of 5 professors (the tuba professor, 2 other brass faculty, a theorist, and a musicologist). You are also require to take entrance exams that if you fail (which most do) lead to more remedial classes, a qualifying exam after your first semester, and a comprehensive exam after you're done with your classes. With most people you finish your classes, take you comprehensive exam (hopefully pass) and become ABD (all but dissertation). Then you spend a year or so on your dissertation, play your lecture recital, defend your dissertation before your commitee, and if all goes well begin to put Dr. in front of your name.

That's the way it is here and I'm sure most schools have similarities and differences. My advice... shop around. Don't be too focused on one school because a better one might be out there waiting for you to find it. Your previous professors are invaluable in this process. Then go to their web sites and see what they require as I'm sure there will be differences from what I wrote here. Good luck. I hope that helped.

Patrick Rettger

I am not currently pursuing a DMA in performance but the thought entered my mind before. One resource I suggest you look at is a simple research of your school Library . Most libraries keep copies of dissertations that are are available through UMI.

Here what the search gave at the library I use .

Tuba :


#1 Investigation of instrumental music teachers' knowledge of the tuba [microforme] / by Charles Alan McAdams. 1988
McAdams, Charles Alan, 1958-

#2 An application of the facet-factorial approach to scale construction in the development of a rating scale for euphonium and tuba music performance [microforme] / by Martin J. Bergee. 1987
Bergee, Martin J.

#3 Performance tasks encountered in selected twentieth-century band excerpts for tuba their identification, categorization, and analysis / Eric M. Berman. 1981
Berman, Eric M.

#4 The orchestral tuba player : the demands of his literature compared and contrasted with tuba training materials / by Paul Judson Kirk. 1976
Kirk, Paul Judson, 1924-

#5 The tuba ensemble: its organization and literature / by Gregory G. Lonnman. 1976
Lonnman, Gregory George, 1947-

#6 The concerto and related works for low brass : a catalogue of compositions from c. 1700 to the present / Robert Melvin Miller. 1974
Miller, Robert Melvin, 1943-

#7 The tuba: its use in selected orchestral compositions of Stravinsky, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich / by Stephen Paul Brandon. 1974
Brandon, Stephen Paul, 1944-

#8 Tuba pedagogy: a study of selected method books, 1840-1911 / by Richard Allen Sorenson.-- 1972
Sorenson, Richard Allen, 1940-

#9 The tuba : a descriptiton of the five orchestral tubas and guidelines for orchestral tuba writing [microforme] / presented by Cherry N. Beauregard. 1970
Beauregard, Cherry N., 1933-


Several of these thesis where written for a Music Education Degree but I hope this gives you an idea.

Andy,

Here's what info I can offer.

I completed my DMA at Rutgers in 2006. The requirements were as follows (to the best of my recollection):4 recitals (2 solo, 1 chamber, 1 lecture), 1 language requirement (can test out), 1 performance practice class, bibliography class, 4(I think) classes to cover cover theory and repertoire. In addition you have 6 semesters of ensemble and lesson requirements. I may have left something off, but the degree is designed to be finished in 3 years of full-time (9 hours) work.

My DMA topic covered the Tuba, Horn and Piano trios of Alec Wilder. The paper that accompanies the lecture recital needs to be about 40-50 papges in length.

Oral and comp exams are also required and are usually completed in the last semester of the degree program.

I hope this helps a bit. PM me if you have any more specific questions.

Jon Fowler

Something a bit different (and likely off topic...)

If you have to do a journal for some class, I'd like to see one on the topic of communication via music. More specifically, classical music if possible. I went to look up stuff on it, but there wasn't much out there...