Doctor of Musical Arts

Doctorate for musicians seeking careers that combine performance or composition with an academic appointment.

Department

Shepherd School of Music

Awarding body

Not stated on the pages we checked

Official award

Doctor of Musical ArtsDMA

Award family

DMAA Doctor of Musical Arts: a performance and practice doctorate, kept separate from the research PhD.

Qualification level

Performance / practice doctorate

Qualification standing

Academic qualificationA degree, or a certificate or diploma awarded by a degree-awarding institution within a national qualifications framework.

Orientation

Orientation not published

Previous degree required

Not published

No program-level accreditation or validation record has been verified yet. That does not mean none exists; check the national authority and the institution.

Delivery

On campusTaught at the listed campus.

Study mode

Not published

Duration

Not published

Intakes

Not published

Campus

Rice University main campus

Taught in

Not stated on the pages we checked

English

English teaching not verifiedAn English-language website does not mean a program is taught in English.

Audition

Audition required

Audition details

• Format: Recorded prescreening and live audition
• Prescreening: Online prescreening/portfolio submission before live audition or interview
• Prescreening deadline: December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST)

Required repertoire, as published

• Cello: Cello: Online Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required prescreening repertoire is by video submission Please include the following: The entire first movement of a major standard cello concerto (memorized) Two contrasting movements of a Bach Suite A movement, or approximately 10 minute excerpt, from a work written in the last 75 years in a contemporary idiom A virtuoso work for cello such as- but not limited to- Cassado 'Dance of the Green Devil'; Chopin Polonaise Brillante; Davidoff At the Fountain; Faure Papillon; Paganini Moses Variations or Moto Perpetuo; Popper Spinning Song or Elfentanz; Tchaikovsky Pezzo Capriccioso, etc… this repertoire requirement can also be fulfilled by choosing two significant etudes or caprices of Popper, Piatti, Paganini, Grützmacher, Servais, etc.. Required live audition repertoire The repertoire for the audition must include one work from each of the following groups: Bach - One of the six solo suites (complete, from memory) A standard concerto (complete, from memory) such as those by Barber; Bloch Schelomo; Dvorak; Elgar; Haydn D Major or C Major; Prokofiev Op. 125; Schumann; Shostakovich No. 1 or 2; Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations or Walton. A Classical or Romantic sonata (complete) A work in a contemporary idiom written within the last seventy-five years. (If longer than 10 minutes, a significant movement or representative 10-minute portion is sufficient.) Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to consider choosing a work of a female or underrepresented minority composer. A virtuoso work for cello such as- but not limited to- Cassado 'Dance of the Green Devil'; Chopin Polonaise Brillante; Davidoff At the Fountain; Faure Papillon; Paganini Moses Variations or Moto Perpetuo; Popper Spinning Song or Elfentanz; Tchaikovsky Pezzo Capriccioso, etc… this repertoire requirement can also be fulfilled by choosing two significant etudes or caprices of Popper, Piatti, Paganini, Grützmacher, Servais, etc.. For works that require piano accompaniment, the Shepherd School will provide a pianist and limited rehearsal time if requested. If the Shepherd School is to provide the pianist, all piano parts must be made available three weeks before the scheduled audition date. The applicant must be prepared to perform all chosen works in their entirety. However, the jury may decide to hear only certain portions. Auditions with interviews will be held February 2 or 3, 2027.
• Clarinet: Clarinet: The submission must be played in a continuous unedited segment; any indication that there has been editing or that recording equipment was paused/stopped between selections will result in the disqualification of the application. All prescreening pieces should be played unaccompanied. Required prescreening repertoire is by video submission: Mozart Clarinet Concerto , 1st movement, Exposition only (beginning of Solo until bar 133) Joan Tower Wings Copland Concerto , from the beginning to end of the cadenza Mendelssohn Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream , measures 1 - 48 Beethoven Symphony No. 6 First movement (measures 476-492) and Second movement (measures 68-78) Beethoven Symphony No. 8 Third movement Menuetto and Trio (no repeats) Required graduate live audition repertoire: The entire Mozart Clarinet Concerto, K. 622 The entire Debussy, Premiere Rhapsodie The entire Copland, Concerto . Joan Tower, Wings Orchestral excerpts (do not use excerpt books for these passages): Mendelssohn Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream (measures 1-48); Beethoven Symphony No. 6 , First movement (measures 474-492) & Second movement (measures 68-78); Beethoven Symphony No. 8 , Third movement Menuetto & Trio (no repeats); Brahms Symphony No. 3, movements 1 and 2 (please prepare solos and tutti passages); Kodály: Dances Galánta ( bars 31 - 66); Rimsky Korsakov: Capricco : Movements I. Alborada and III. Alborada; Stravinsky: Firebird Suite: Variation of the Firebird; Ravel: Daphnis and Chloé Suite No. 2 Applicants will also be expected to demonstrate sight-reading ability with material chosen by the instructor . The complete live audition program must be performed with piano, with the exception of the unaccompanied works. The Shepherd School will provide a pianist and one hour of rehearsal time. Additional rehearsal time must be arranged and paid for by the applicant. All piano parts must be made available to the Shepherd School pianist three weeks before the scheduled audition date. The applicant must be prepared to perform all chosen works in their entirety. However, the audition committee may decide to hear only certain portions.
• Composition: Composition: Online Submission of your portfolio is due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Composers must submit a minimum of three compositions that are representative of their work. If possible, please also submit a live audio or video recording of each work. If no live recording is available, you may submit the score only. MIDI recordings are not acceptable . Your resume and answers to the DMA supplemental questions are due December 1 with the online graduate application. The interview is mandatory and an important condition of the application process. After DMA materials have been submitted, faculty will review portfolios and extend interview invitations to DMA application finalists. In-person interviews will take place on February 4 and 5, 2027.
• Double Bass: Double Bass: Online Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required prescreening repertoire is by video submission When recording the prescreening submission, please record with your full body and instrument in the frame. Please include the following: Two movements from a concerto Two contrasting movements of Bach Standard excerpts: Mozart Symphony No. 35 (first and fourth movements); Beethoven Symphony No. 5 (third movement); Brahms Symphony No. 2 (first and fourth movements); Strauss Ein Heldenleben #9, #40, the Battle Scene complete Required graduate audition repertoire The repertoire for the audition must include one work from each of the following groups: Full Bach suite of the applicant's choice Major concerto Standard excerpts: Mozart Symphony No. 35 (first and fourth movements); Beethoven Symphony No. 5 (third movement); Brahms Symphony No. 2 (first and fourth movements); Strauss Ein Heldenleben #9, #40, the Battle Scene complete Auditions with interviews will be held February 2 or 3, 2027. For works that require piano accompaniment, the Shepherd School will provide a pianist and limited rehearsal time if requested. If the Shepherd School is to provide the pianist, all piano parts must be made available three weeks before the scheduled audition date. The applicant must be prepared to perform all chosen works in their entirety. However, the jury may decide to hear only certain portions.
• Flute: Flute: Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required prescreening repertoire is by video submission: Two contrasting movements from the Bach Partita in A Minor, BWV 1013 or from a Bach sonata (accompanied) A work for solo flute to be chosen from the following: Bostonian Scenes, 1. Promenade Along with Charles River , Valerie Coleman Zinfandel (flute version), Reena Esmail Chant for solo flute, Timothy Hagen Yuhwa (The Goddess of the Willow Trees) for solo flute, Adolphus Hailstork Homeland (Flute Alone) by Allison Loggins-Hull Two movements from a Mozart concerto (accompanied) Two contrasting works or movements of applicant's choice (accompanied, where applicable)* Five orchestral excerpts Required graduate live audition repertoire: Bach: a sonata chosen from among the following: B Minor, A Major, E Minor, E Major, or the Partita in A Minor, BWV 1013 Mozart: Concerto in G Major, KV 313, complete with cadenzas A major twentieth century sonata or single movement work with contrasting sections for flute and piano An unaccompanied work or movement from the twenty-first century* A contrasting work or movement of the applicant's choice* Five contrasting orchestral excerpts The complete live audition program must be performed with piano, with the exception of the unaccompanied works. The Shepherd School will provide a pianist and one hour of rehearsal time. Additional rehearsal time must be arranged and paid for by the applicant. All piano parts must be made available to the Shepherd School pianist three weeks before the scheduled audition date. The applicant must be prepared to perform all chosen works in their entirety. However, the audition committee may decide to hear only certain portions. *Optional Resources: Institute for Composer Diversity Music by Black Composers International Music Score Library Project
• Oboe: Oboe: Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. ALL OF THE FOLLOWING REPERTOIRE IS REQUIRED FOR BOTH THE PRESCREENING SUBMISSION AND THE LIVE AUDITION: Prepare approximately 30 minutes of varied solo, étude, and orchestral excerpts clearly demonstrating an advanced performance ability. For works that require accompaniment at the live audition, the Shepherd School will provide a pianist and one hour of rehearsal time. Additional rehearsal time must be arranged and paid for by the applicant. All piano parts must be made available to the Shepherd School pianist three weeks before the scheduled audition date. The applicant must be prepared to perform all chosen works in their entirety. However, the audition committee may decide to hear only certain portions.
• Percussion: Percussion: Online Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required prescreening repertoire is by video submission: Marimba: Contemporary solo (4 mallets): 2-minute excerpt One movement from any Suite or Sonata by Bach (e.g violin, cello, lute - no repeats) Snare Drum: Delecluse: Étude No. 1 from " 12 Études for Snare Drum " (beg. - downbeat of m. 36) Orchestral Excerpts: Three snare drum excerpts Three timpani excerpts Three xylophone excerpts Two glockenspiel excerpts Required graduate live audition repertoire: Marimba: Contemporary solo (4 mallets) Two contrasting movements from one or two Suite(s ) or Sonata(s ) by Bach(e.g violin, cello, lute - no repeats)* *one movement with two mallets and one movement with four mallets Snare Drum: One concert snare drum solo (e.g. Delecluse) One rudimental snare drum solo (e.g. Tompkins, Rieppi) Timpani: One solo (e.g. Carter, Hochrainer, Delecluse, Woud, Rieppi) Orchestral Excerpts: Five snare drum Five timpani Four xylophone Three glockenspiel Two cymbals Two tambourine Auditions will take place on January 29, 30, 31, February 5, and 6, 2027.
• Viola: Viola: Online prescreening submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required prescreening repertoire is by video submission Two contrasting movements from a Bach solo cello suite or violin sonata or partita One movement from a major concerto One movement from a sonata Required graduate audition repertoire The applicant should present a program of 60-70 minutes in duration, including one work from each of the four categories below. One piece must be written after 1970. Bach (from memory) any of the six cello suites or any of the violin solo sonatas or partitas A complete concerto (from memory) by Bartók; Hindemith Der Schwanendreher ; Walton; Piston; Schnittke; Harbison; Penderecki or work of similar importance A substantial work such as Brahms, Clarke, Hindemith, Rochberg, Shostakovich, Schumann, Vieuxtemps, or Bax A short work of your choice With the exception of category 1, the complete program must be performed with piano, where applicable. The Shepherd School will provide a pianist and limited rehearsal time if requested. If the Shepherd School is to provide the pianist, all piano parts must be made available three weeks before the scheduled audition time. The applicant must be prepared to perform all chosen works in their entirety. However, the jury may decide to hear only certain portions. Auditions with interviews will be held February 2 or 3, 2027.
• Violin: Violin: Online Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required prescreening repertoire is by video submission Two contrasting movements of Bach solo sonata or partita One movement of a concerto One virtuoso work These works should be recorded without piano accompaniment and do not have to be performed from memory. Required graduate audition repertoire Bach: any of the six solo sonatas and partitas (complete) from memory A major concerto (from memory) such as one of the following: Bartok #2; Beethoven; Berg; Bernstein: Serenade ; Brahms; Britten; Bruch: Scottish Fantasy ; Dvorak; Elgar; Glazunov; Korngold; Lalo; Mendelssohn; Nielsen; Paganini #1; Prokofiev #1 or #2; Shostakovich #1; Sibelius; Stravinsky; Tchaikovsky; Walton One complete Mozart or Haydn concerto (from memory) A work for violin unaccompanied or with piano composed after 1950. (If longer than 10 minutes, a representative 10-minute portion is sufficient) Memorization is not required for this work. A virtuoso work of the applicant's choice. With the exception of the Bach, the complete program must be performed with piano where applicable. The Shepherd School will provide a pianist and limited rehearsal time if requested. If the Shepherd School is to provide the pianist, all piano parts must be made available three weeks before the scheduled audition time. The applicant must be prepared to perform all chosen works in their entirety. However, the jury may decide to hear only certain portions. Auditions with interviews will be held February 2 or 3, 2027.
• Classical Voice: Vocal: DMA Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required DMA prescreening repertoire is by video submission: At least one song each in English, French, and German, plus three operatic or oratorio arias of your choice. One of those selections should represent the Baroque period. Required DMA live audition repertoire: The applicant will prepare a program of 30 minutes in duration to include four languages and a variety of art songs, operatic or oratorio arias, which must include Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and music composed from 1950 to the present. Our faculty supports and recommends that each candidate include repertoire from underrepresented composers, if possible. The program must be performed from memory. Auditions will be held on January 29, 30, and 31, and February 12, 13, and 14, 2027.

SourceSpecific to this program and intake. Check the current admissions cycle; nothing here guarantees admission, and you cannot assume you may audition for a particular teacher.

Portfolio

Portfolio requirement not published

Interview

Not published

Academic prerequisites

Fall 2027: no applications accepted in: Clarinet, Flute, Oboe (areas marked with an asterisk on the graduate audition index).

Deadlines

• Online prescreening/portfolio submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) (Fall 2027 auditions) · Fall 2027

Source could not be re-checked automatically.

The institution does not publish tuition for this program on the pages we checked. Ask for current fees, what they include and whether lessons, accompanists, practice rooms, instrument hire, software, recording, recitals, travel and residency costs are extra.

Not published on the program’s source pages: tuition, duration, full-time or part-time options, intakes, whether a previous degree is required, accreditation or validation record.