Overview
Candidates for the Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting at the University of Miami Frost School of Music must possess and demonstrate a gift of musical leadership based upon broad experience with choral ensembles and a strong foundation of skills from previous training. Admission requirements include baccalaureate and masters degrees in music and practical experience in choral conducting through church, school, or community ensembles. Enrollment in this major is only by special permission after completion of the application and audition process.
The mission of the Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting at the Frost School of Music is to:
- Provide a music performance-based education and to train conductors to further develop knowledge and skills on and off the podium
- Promote a platform of learning that includes excellence in performance, creativity, artistry, and scholarship
- Foster a sense of community involvement in the arts and the greater musical world
This degree combines scholarship with practical concerns in a way that prepares graduates for a diverse life in choral music, whether they choose to focus on an academic career, professional career, or a combination of the two. Emphasis on excellence in conducting and teaching, negotiating the job market, becoming an outstanding clinician and adjudicator, and exploring administrative opportunities has allowed this program to consistently place graduates in outstanding positions throughout the country.
Admission Requirements
On-Campus Programs
Step 1 - Apply
- Apply online through CollegeNET
- Upload a prescreening (if applicable) through SlideRoom – check the Audition/Portfolio Requirements page for specific information
Step 2 - Submit Supplemental Materials
All supplemental materials must be submitted either via email to fsom.graddocs@miami.edu or via US Mail to PO Box 248165, Coral Gables, FL 33124.
- Transcripts – an official transcript from ALL post-secondary schools attended, regardless of if a degree was granted or not, must be sent directly to the Frost School of Music from the issuing institution in order to be considered official
- Applicants with international transcripts, please click here for specific instructions about approved evaluation services
- An official transcript is required for every school attended, even if it was only a single class
- Current University of Miami students applying to a new degree program must provide an official University of Miami transcript
- Three letters of recommendation - sent through CollegeNet as part of application submission. These do not need to be sent separately
- Resume - attached to the application at the time of submission. This does not need to be sent separately
- GRE Score - Please contact your program faculty for specific GRE information
- TOEFL/IELTS Score - Please click here for more specific TOEFL/IELTS information
- Teaching/Conducting Sample
- Writing Sample
- Prescreening/Audition/Interview
- Portfolio
Not all supplemental materials are required for all degree programs. Please see the Degree Program Requirements for specific requirements.
For information regarding specific program requirements, please see Application & Program Requirements.
Applicants are responsible for tracking the status of their application materials and should do so on CaneLink. Please allow at least two weeks for documents to be processed and marked as complete. If you are unable to access your CaneLink account, please check the CaneLink FAQ.
Step 3 - Audition/Interview/Upload Portfolio
Audition - If your program requires an audition, you will be contacted after the December 1st deadline to schedule a date. All performance programs require a prescreening and invitations to audition will be extended to those applicants approved by faculty review. Check the Audition/Portfolio Requirements page for specific requirements. Do not make travel plans until you receive a confirmation email from Frost Admissions.
Interview - If your program requires an interview, you will be contacted by department faculty to schedule a date.
Portfolio - If your program requires a portfolio, please upload it through SlideRoom. Check the Audition/Portfolio Requirements page for specific requirements.
Music, Media, & Industry Application Deadlines
If you are applying to Music Business & Entertainment Industries, Arts Presenting & Live Entertainment Management, JD/MM, or JD/MA programs, the following deadlines apply:
December 1 - International applicants and priority domestic applicants
April 1 - All JD/MM and JD/MA applicants
June 1 - Final application and supplemental materials deadline for domestic applicants
If you are applying to Music Engineering Technology or Media Writing and Production, the following deadlines apply:
December 1 - International applicants and priority domestic applicants
February 1 - Priority portfolio deadline
April 1 - Final application and portfolio deadline - all applications/supplemental materials/portfolios are due by this date
International Applicants
- TOEFL/IELTS - Test scores are required for international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not received a degree from an accredited English-speaking institution. Additional information can be found under International Applicants.
- Applicants must submit a copy of their passport before a decision can be made. The name on your passport must match the name with which you apply.
If accepted, you will be contacted by the Office of Admission to submit documentation of financial responsibility.
Documents Required
Submit the following educational documents to an approved international credentialing evaluation service:
a) Official original diplomas and certificates in the original language, and
b) Official original transcripts in the original language (names of courses, grades, and hours of instruction) for every year of study.
Documents in a language other than English must be accompanied by professional, certified English translations. Translations supplement but do not replace, the official documents.
Type of Evaluation Required
The Frost School of Music is requiring international applicants to their programs to complete a course-by-course evaluation with GPA.
Where to Submit Documents for Evaluation
Josef Silny & Associates (JS&A), Inc. International Education Consultants, is the preferred evaluation service for international applicants to the University of Miami due to their competitive prices and high-quality service. Please see the Application for Evaluation of Foreign Educational Credentials for more information.
World Education Services (WES) is the second preferred evaluation service for international applicants to the University of Miami. Click here for more information, including the Application for Evaluation of Foreign Educational Credentials.
Please note that international applicants are not required to use the services of JS&A or WES exclusively, but the University of Miami requires that an international credential evaluation must be done by one of the approved evaluation vendors found on this list.
Evaluation Fee
Applicants are responsible for the evaluation fee.
Submission of Evaluation
The evaluation vendor is required to send all official copies of related documents to:
Frost School of Music
PO Box 248165
Coral Gables, FL 33124-7610
or electronically to:
fsom.graddocs@miami.edu
- Applicants who are applying with a current degree in progress will be required to have their final transcripts and diploma evaluated upon arrival at the Frost School. If applicants use Josef Silny for the initial evaluation, the Frost School will cover the evaluation. If applicants choose a different vendor, they will be responsible for the cost of the re-evaluation.
Decisions
Students are recommended for admission to the Frost School of Music by the faculty and admission committees. Final acceptance to the Graduate program is made after all materials requested by the Frost School of Music have been received and evaluated. Scholarships and/or Assistantships are awarded based on faculty recommendation. Admission decisions are sent out starting in late March.
Application Guidelines
- Applications are accepted for the fall term only
- Applications are accepted for only one degree program
- Graduate applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA for consideration
- Applicants must be in-progress toward completing or have earned the appropriate prior music degree(s) from a regionally accredited institution in order to apply for a graduate level music program. If you are accepted and decide to attend the Frost School, you will be required to provide a final transcript showing a conferred degree.
- The MM in Music Business & Entertainment Industries and the MA in Arts Presenting & Live Entertainment Management do not require prior music degrees. The MS in Music Engineering Technology is open to students who have completed an undergraduate degree in an appropriate engineering/science field.
- Current University of Miami students applying to a new degree program must provide an official University of Miami transcript
- Materials submitted in support of an application cannot be released for other purposes nor returned to the applicant
- For information on where to submit supplemental materials, please see our Contact Information
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Courses | ||
| MVP CD7 | Conducting (two semesters at 1 credit each; 2 semesters at 2 credits each) | 6 |
| Choral Conducting Workshop | 6 | |
| Choral Conducting: Major Works | ||
| Choral Conducting Workshop: Shorter Choral Works | ||
| Chamber Singers (four semesters at 1 credit each) | ||
| Choral Ensembles | ||
| Choral Ensembles MVP 700 level (four semesters at 1 credit each) | 4 | |
| Choral Studies | ||
| MVP 608 | Choral Score Study | 2 |
| MTC 615 | Choral Arranging | 3 |
| MCY 635 | Choral Literature I | 3 |
| MCY 636 | Choral Literature II | 3 |
| Allied Music Courses | ||
| MTC 717 | Analytical Techniques (or other MTC course) | 3 |
| MED 790 | Teaching Music in College | 1 |
| Applied Voice or Piano | 2 | |
| Allied Music Electives | 3 | |
| Creative Activities | ||
| MVP 830 | Pre-Candidacy Doctoral Project Preparation | 1 |
| MVP 831 | Doctoral Project (Choose from Doctoral Essay or Lecture Recital with Research Paper) | 8 |
| MVP 832 | Doctoral Recital (Three recitals at one credit each) 1 | 3 |
| Cognate/Electives | ||
| Select 12 credit hours of Cognate/Electives | 12 | |
| If not selecting a cognate, suggested options include, but are not limited to: | ||
| Music Bibliography (Strongly encouraged for students selecting to complete a doctoral essay as their final project) | ||
| Psychology of Music I | ||
| Vocal Methods and Materials in Music Education | ||
| Vocal Pedagogy | ||
| Advanced Vocal Pedagogy | ||
| Lyric Diction for Singers - English and Italian | ||
| Lyric Diction for Singing - German and French | ||
| Stagecraft Acting for Opera | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
- 1
Students in this degree program take MVP 832 three times, at 1 credit each for a total of 3 credits.
- Doctoral Qualifying Exams must be complete prior to the defense of the DMA Final Project proposal.
MCDC Plan of Study
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MCY 635 | Choral Literature I | 3 |
| MVP Choral Ensemble | 1 | |
| MED 790 | Teaching Music in College | 1 |
| Applied Voice or Piano Lessons | 1 | |
| MTC 717 | Analytical Techniques (or MTC Elective) | 3 |
| MVP 784 | Chamber Singers | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| MCY 636 | Choral Literature II | 3 |
| MVP Choral Ensemble | 1 | |
| MVP 608 | Choral Score Study | 2 |
| MVP CD7 | Conducting | 1 |
| MVP 832 | Doctoral Recital | 1 |
| Applied Voice or Piano Lessons | 1 | |
| MVP 784 | Chamber Singers | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| MVP 772 | Choral Conducting: Major Works | 1 |
| MVP Choral Ensemble | 1 | |
| MVP 784 | Chamber Singers | 1 |
| MVP 830 | Pre-Candidacy Doctoral Project Preparation | 1 |
| MTC 615 | Choral Arranging | 3 |
| Cognate or Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| MVP 773 | Choral Conducting Workshop: Shorter Choral Works | 1 |
| MVP CD7 | Conducting | 1 |
| MVP 832 | Doctoral Recital | 1 |
| MVP Choral Ensemble | 1 | |
| MVP 784 | Chamber Singers | 1 |
| Cognate or Approved Elective | 5 | |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| MVP CD7 | Conducting | 2 |
| MVP 832 | Doctoral Recital | 1 |
| MVP 831 | Doctoral Project | 3 |
| Cognate or Approved Elective(s) | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| MVP CD7 | Conducting | 2 |
| MVP 831 | Doctoral Project | 5 |
| Cognate or Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
* This is a suggested Plan of Study. Your actual course sequence may vary depending on your previous academic experience as well as current course offerings. Students should meet with their academic advisor each semester to determine the appropriate course selection.
*Doctoral Qualifying Exams must be complete prior to the defense of the Doctoral Essay/Dissertation proposal.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting is:
- To provide a specifically music performance-based education and to train conductors to firmly establish and demonstrate professional level conducting skills;
- To provide a platform of learning that includes performance, creativity, scholarship, and significant research;
- To foster a sense of community involvement of the arts and in the arts.
Because choral conducting students are working with an "instrument" comprised of human singers, the variables with which they must work (as opposed to a solo instrument) are various.
Goals
After graduation, they are prepared to work in any number of venues, including academia, sacred music setting (church music), professional choir, community choir, and more.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will, through the completion of 3 degree recitals, demonstrate the ability perform as conductors with musical/stylistic awareness, as well as professional presentation and demeanor.
- Students will demonstrate a high level research and scholarship skills.
