Doctor of Music

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Cite This Source

The Doctor of Music degree (D.Mus., Mus.D. or Mus.Doc.), like other doctorates, is an academic degree of the highest level. The D.Mus. is intended for musicians and composers who wish to combine the highest attainments in their area of specialization with doctoral-level academic study in music.

D.Mus. students complete advanced studies in one of typically three musical areas: musicology; performance (including conducting); or musical composition. Assessment varies with subject matter and University. A musicologist would be expected to produce a thesis on a specialised subject matter, whilst a performer would give a recital, and composer would present a portfolio of compositions. Once obtained, D.Mus performers and composers may expect to be able to progress into their associated professional careers, whilst musicologists may continue with post-doctoral research.

In the UK, the DMus is a higher doctorate degree, awarded on the basis of a substantial portfolio of compositions and/or publications on music. Some institutions such as Oxford restrict the DMus to their own graduates which is the opposite of former times when the degree could be taken externally (i.e. by non-graduates/non-MAs).

The Doctor of Music degree has also been utilized as an Honorary Degree when presented to musicians like Steve Vai, Daniel Barenboim, Mark Knopfler, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Randy Bachman, and John Mellencamp It has also been awarded as an honorary degree to non-musical artists including the ballet dancers Dame Alicia Markova and Dame Beryl Grey as well as female royalty regardless of their experience in music.

Doctor of Music

See also