The Doctor of Musical Arts examines music in its interdisciplinary, cultural, and intellectual contexts while providing a mastery of the theory and practice of performance, with concentrations available in Performance, and Historical Performance Practices.
The Doctor of Musical Arts program combines comprehensive study of music literature, historical styles, and performance practices, all using the most recent analytical methodologies. Curriculum and research strike a critical balance between music performance and scholarship that equips you to make an impactful contribution to the music profession. Faculty includes highly trained performers and musical scholars whose diverse interests range across musicology, performance, and composition; they bring their passion for music and scholarship into the classroom and serve as invaluable mentors. Under their guidance, you’ll join a long list of accomplished graduates who have gone on to become college and university professors, members of professional ensembles, music directors in churches, and solo performing artists.
Program Highlights
The Music Department puts on an array of concerts that offer ample performance opportunities.
Studio faculty are drawn from The Claremont Colleges and the outstanding pool of musicians in the greater Los Angeles area.
Historical performance practice programs will connect you with period instruments that include three harpsichords, a fortepiano, a chamber organ, and various stringed instruments.
Program at a Glance
UNITS
72 units
ESTIMATED COMPLETION TIME*
3–5 years
*Actual completion times will vary and may be higher, depending on full- or part-time course registration, units transferred, and time to complete other degree requirements.
Provides an overview of music literature from the Middle Ages to the mid-twentieth century with concentrated analysis of representative works, using analytical techniques that fit each period.
MUSIC 302
Research Methodology & Bibliography
Introduces the many types of electronic and print bibliographic tools needed to pursue research in music, as well as research methods, citation practices, and ways to evaluate research.
MUSIC 303
Interdisciplinary Music Criticism & Cross-Cultural Aesthetics
Introduces the study of aesthetics, its historical basis and vocabulary of concepts as well as the application of these concepts specifically to music in the late eighteenth century.
MUSIC 311A
Application of Music Technology I
Explores music technology, the basics of MIDI and audio, music notation software, digital audio workstations and sequencing software, and music sample libraries.
MUSIC 406
20th Century
Surveys concert music literature in Europe and the United States from approximately 1900 to the present, focusing on musical style and structure during this period and the many remarkable changes that occurred in the last century.
Areas of Concentration
Historical Performance Practices
Performance
Curriculum
Core Requirements
Music Literature & Historical Styles Analysis
Research Methodology & Bibliography
Doctorate in Performance or Compositions Requirements 8 units: 2 MUS 401–406 Era Courses
16 units: Major area of concentration (performance or composition)
4 units: Fortepiano, Baroque Violin, Viola da Gamba, or Baroque Flute (any student whose degree concentration is the modern counterpart of one of those instruments).
4 units: Instrumental/vocal instruction
2 units: Instrumental/vocal instruction (until the recital requirement has been met)
Music electives: As needed
8 units: Interdisciplinary courses
Four recitals or substantial composition*
DMA Paper on topic dealing with historical performance practicers
4 units: Transdisciplinary Studies course *For students in the Keyboard Studies program (majoring in two or three keyboard instruments), speak with department chair concerning Lesson/Recital/Lecture-Recital requirements
Doctorate in Historical Performance Practices (including Keyboard Studies) Requirements 8 units: 2 MUS 401-406 Era Courses
16 units: Major area of concentration (performance or composition):
4 units: Fortepiano, Baroque Violin, Viola da Gamba, or Baroque Flute (any student whose degree concentration is the modern counterpart of one of those instruments).
4 units: Instrumental/vocal instruction
2 units: Instruction on each of the two chosen instruments
2 units: Instrumental/vocal instruction (until the recital requirement has been met)
4 units: History of Performance Practices
4 units: Interdisciplinary Courses
Music electives: As needed
4 units: Collegium Musicum and/or Chamber Music
Two Recitals and two Lecture-Recitals, dealing with historical-performance-practice topics
One Recital and one Lecture-Recital*
DMA Paper
4 units: Transdisciplinary Studies course *For students of keyboard instruments only, two Solo Recitals and two Lecture-Recitals (dealing with historical-performance-practice topics), or two Solo Recitals, one Lecture-Recital (as above), and one entirely Collaborative Recital
Capstone Project
For those who write music, the culmination of the CGU music education is the opportunity to present an original composition. Though there is no strictly prescribed form, work in most cases will involve orchestra or large ensemble (soloists, choral forces, or electronics as additional components are possibilities). Whether you write and perform a symphony or concerto, it’s the best way to test and establish your musical vision.
Faculty & Research
Robert Zappulla
Professor of Music
Fred W. Smith and Grace Hobson Smith Chair in Music
Chair, Department of Music
Research Interests
Harpsichord, Historical performance practices, Baroque music
Piano, Fortepiano, 18th & 19th-century performance practices, 20th century atonal piano compositions, digital keyboard laboratory, the board of directors of Los Angeles Master Chorale: Education Committee and Gala Host Committee
