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Be it resolved that:
If one wants a career teaching at a university, a DMA is all but required these days and should be seen as a necessary investment.

Agree/disagree? Discuss!

Yes. You need a DMA to land a college teaching gig. (Or a nearly completed doctorate.)

Or, long-time employment in a major orchestra/DC military band. (It is becoming more common for universities to hire older orchestral players.) Regional orchestras don't count.

It is still possible to get your foot in the door at some universities if you are ABD (All But Dissertation), but given the huge number of musicians looking for work, a completed doctorate is the Entry Ticket.

Also, many state schools are "Research Institutions." The bean counters who grant you tenure look for a doctorate and publications/major performances. Conservatories aren't so rigid about your paper credentials, only your playing/teaching chops.

The reason you need a DMA is that there are enough good players who already have doctorates that it puts them on top of the pile during the job search.

kontrabass wrote:Be it resolved that:
If one wants a career teaching at a university, a DMA is all but required these days and should be seen as a necessary investment.

Agree/disagree? Discuss!

Not absolutelly required, but it will make your job WAAAAAAAAAAY easier. Many schools will take a DMA candidate over someone else even if the someone else has a more impressive performance resume and plays the better audition recital.

If you want to teach college than getting a DMA should be on your MUST DO list.