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Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) Applicants

The Doctoral Admissions Committee bases admission to the D.M.A. program on an overall evaluative and selective process. This includes the review of audition and entrance exam results, writing sample and all submitted supporting materials and recommendations. Successful applicants will have to demonstrate leadership as performers, combining breadth of repertoire with knowledge of style and literature. All D.M.A. applicants must have earned an M.M. degree from an accredited college or university prior to matriculation.

In addition to the general application requirements, D.M.A. applicants must submit:

  1. a third letter of recommendation that addresses artistic potential; and
  2. a statement of purpose that briefly describes professional goals in relation to the D.M.A. program.

The two required entrance examinations are three-hour written-format exams in musicology (short answer and essay) and music theory. Examinations are scheduled the day following the in-person audition, so candidates should expect to be on campus for two days to accomplish all aspects of the admission process.

Applicants in Performance must submit a preliminary audition tape and a complete application packet no later than December 1 (refer to the audition requirements for more detailed information). After review, qualified applicants will be invited to prepare an in-person audition at NEC.

Applicants in Theory and Composition will be screened by those departments based on the application and supporting documents, which must be received by the Office of Admission no later than December 1. Qualified applicants will be asked to take the written examinations at NEC.