Program: Music - Performance (Violin & Viola) Concentration, (DMA) - University of Memphis

Jun 17, 2025

2025-2026 GRADUATE CATALOG

This concentration is geared towards string players who are looking to focus on developing artistic skill on both violin and viola for solo/ensemble performance and teaching.

DMA Degree Program

The DMA degree is structured to allow maximum flexibility in designing a program around each student’s background and needs. Although the distribution of hours is firm, program requirements are to be regarded as general rather than fixed. The student’s preparation, experience, and stated goals are carefully evaluated before an individually selected course of study is prescribed.

Program objectives are: (1) competency in music theory, music history, advanced research, and pedagogical for classroom or studio; (2) preparation for college or university teaching; (3) preparation for auditions at orchestra or performing ensemble.

Program Admission

Admission requirements can be found on this catalog’s page for the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music . Additional information can be found in the School of Music Graduate Handbook.

Core Requirements (6 hours)

Music History (3 hours)
Music Theory (3 hours)

Students with a cognate area in music history or theory may substitute electives for those credits in the core requirements.

Concentration Requirements (39 hours)

Performance (viola, violin)

Applied Lessons (21 hours)

12 credits of primary instrument and 9 credits of secondary instrument.

Cognate area in music (9 hours)

Requirements for cognates in the School of Music can be found in section 8.5 of the School of Music Graduate Handbook.

Major Field area (3 hours)

Consult section 8.4 of the School of Music Graduate Handbook.

Dissertation Equivalent (6 hours)

Three public recitals, of repertory approved by the doctoral committee, are required. A formal research document on a topic approved by the committee will also be submitted to the Graduate School after the final defense; music covered by this document will also appear on one of the recitals. The 6 hours of dissertation equivalent must include at least 4 hours of MUAP 8999 and at least 1 hour of MUAP 9000 .