Music: Music Performance DMA; Field: Composition

Doctor of Musical Arts (Field: Composition)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Music's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Applicants for the DMA in the Composition field must hold a Master of Music Performance degree specializing in Composition from the University of Toronto, or its equivalent from another recognized university, with an average standing of B+ or better.

  • Two or more extended compositions in various media and a recording of at least one of these works must be submitted together with the application and complete academic credentials.

  • Two letters of reference commenting on the applicant's composition ability, academic ability, and professional promise.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs), including:

    • 1.0 FCE: MUS3300Y DMA Advanced Composition I

    • 1.0 FCE: MUS3305Y DMA Advanced Composition II

    • 1.0 FCE: MUS3999Y0 Research in Composition, selected in consultation with the advisory committee

    • Students entering from outside the University of Toronto will be given diagnostic tests in musical analysis, counterpoint, and harmony, the result of which may be additional course requirements beyond the 5.0 FCEs.

  • Upon completion of coursework, students are required to present a recital of original works (MUS3888Y0 DMA Recital of Works; 1.0 FCE) to the satisfaction of the department. In some cases, professional-quality tapes of performances totalling the equivalent of a full recital may be substituted.

  • The thesis for the DMA shall be an extended composition approved by the department, prepared under the supervision of an advisory committee and defended at the Doctoral Final Oral Examination.

  • The residency requirement is two years, whereby students must be on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

Program Length

4 years full-time

Time Limit

6 years full-time

0 Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.