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Doctor of Musical Arts in Strings

Major code: D735

Coursework Requirements (PDF)

Required Proficiencies

This degree requires the following proficiencies.

Music Theory

Contacts

Dr. Yena Lee

Violin

Dr. Mark Neumann

Viola

Dr. Jonathan Ruck

Cello
Area Chair

Dr. Anthony Stoops

Double Bass

Application Deadline

To receive full consideration for admission and graduate assistantships, the application deadline is December 1. The School of Music cannot guarantee an audition, interview, admission, or graduate assistantship if application is received after the deadline.

Residency Requirement

Per Graduate College policy 8.2.1.1, "The student must be in residence at OU for at least two consecutive 16-week semesters during the pursuit of the doctoral degree while enrolled and engaged in coursework or research activities as prescribed by the major academic unit."

Assistantships

There is no separate application for assistantship. Unless the applicant indicates otherwise, we assume that all applicants are interested in being considered for assistantships. Please note that assistantships are usually awarded for the Fall and Spring semesters together. We very seldom have assistantships available for anyone entering in a Spring semester. We do not award assistantships for Summer sessions.

Procedure for Applying

Applicants should submit the online application (see the Graduate Admissions page), along with all required materials described below.

Following submission of the online application, applicants who pass prescreening will work with the appropriate member of the string faculty (listed above) to schedule an audition. More information about the audition can be found at the bottom of this page.

Application materials required for all graduate degrees

These items must be submitted to the online graduate application system.

Resume
- Submitted to the online application under the Resume tab.
Statement of Purpose
- Submitted to the online application under the Statement of Purpose tab
- Please compose a brief personal statement (approximately 2–3 pages of double-spaced, 12-point font text with 1-inch margins) regarding your desire to pursue a graduate degree in music. Include responses to the following prompts:
  1. How would you describe your professional path to this point?
  2. Why do you want to pursue this degree at OU?
  3. How do you want to grow musically, artistically, pedagogically, and/or intellectually during your graduate studies?
  4. What skills, expertise, and experiences do you bring to graduate study at OU?
  5. Describe your post-degree plans (i.e., How will you apply your newly acquired academic knowledge and expertise?).
Three letters of reference
- Submitted to the online application under Recommendations tab
- Your three reference letters should include:
  - At least one letter from: your studio professor, ensemble conductor, chamber coach, etc., or a person who has considerable knowledge about your abilities as a performer or composer.
  - At least one letter from: a person who can speak to your abilities as a scholar of music.

Scholarly writing requirement

This degree requires you to submit a sample of your scholarly writing.

Submitted to the online application under the Supporting Documents tab
The guidelines for this writing sample are as follows:
1. Should represent your best writing and researching skills.
2. Preferably not more than 3 years old; should be recently revised. If you do not have a recent scholarly writing sample on hand, we ask that you compose something original.
3. Adhere to a consistent method of formatting and citations (e.g., Chicago, MLA, Turabian, APA) and include a bibliography/reference list.
4. A minimum of 5 pages of double-spaced, 12-point font text (not counting bibliography) with typical 1-inch margins.
5. Ensure your writing sample is representative of the field. Consider presenting a complete argument supporting a clear thesis, perhaps methodological in nature for empirical research, or other format reflective of various academic areas in music.
6. Please contact the Graduate Music Office (gradmusic@ou.edu) or the area chair for your program with any questions about meeting these requirements.

Prescreening Requirements

The following prescreening items must be submitted through the online graduate application system by December 1.

A repertoire list of significant solo, ensemble, and choral repertoire studied and performed to date.
- Submitted to the online application under Supporting Documents.
A performance video of 15-20 minutes of music drawn from the audition requirements for your specific instrument. The prescreening recording should include at least 2 contrasting works.
- Video files or links to online video recordings may be submitted to the online application under Digital Portfolio > Upload Media.

Audition

Following submission of the online application, applicants who pass prescreening will work with the appropriate member of the string faculty to schedule an on-campus audition. Although live, on-campus auditions are preferred, video recordings are acceptable. Video files or links to online video recordings may be submitted to the online application under Digital Portfolio > Upload Media.

With the approval of the applied teacher, a current master’s student at OU who plans to apply to the DMA program within twelve months of his/her planned graduation from the master’s program may use his/her MM degree recital as the DMA audition. The recital must meet DMA audition requirements. In order for a faculty committee to be organized to attend the recital to evaluate it for DMA application purposes, the student must inform all members of the string faculty at least one week before the recital.

Whether auditioning in person or by recording, applicants to the DMA are required to prepare an audition program of a minimum of 40 minutes of music. A personal interview with the faculty audition committee will form part of the audition.

Audition Requirements

Violin

The audition program must consist of at least 3 different works. (An individual movement from a standard concerto or sonata counts as a work).
A variety of contrasting periods and styles, chosen to demonstrate the applicant’s highest level of musicianship and technical proficiency must be presented.
At least one work must be performed from memory.

Viola

The audition program must include at least 3 different works, one of which must consist of a movement (or several movements) from a major standard concerto or sonata.
A variety of contrasting periods and styles, chosen to demonstrate the applicant’s highest level of musicianship and technical proficiency must be presented.
At least one work must be performed from memory.

Cello

First movement of a concerto from the standard repertoire (memorized)
Two contrasting movements from a Bach Solo Cello Suite (memorized)
An etude by Popper or Piatti
A work of the applicant’s choice (showpiece, modern composition, etc.)

Double Bass

First movement of a concerto from the standard repertoire
Two contrasting movements from a Bach Solo Cello Suite
Two or three contrasting orchestral excerpts
A work of the applicant’s choice (showpiece, modern composition, etc.)