Conducting: Jan Wagner, Professor of Music
Armstrong Hall, Room 19; (540) 665-1291; jwagner@su.edu

The Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance degree prepares individuals for meaningful and satisfying careers as artist teachers in higher education. Through a rigorous sequence of applied study and degree recitals, students refine their musical artistry and performance skills. Targeted course work in career skills, pedagogy, music literature and music theory strengthen knowledge in areas required to successfully obtain a position in higher education.

Available for majors in flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion, violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, guitar, organ, piano, voice, collaborative piano and instrumental conducting.

Program Outcomes

Students completing the Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance degree will be able to:

• perform at a level commensurate with a national or international performance career;
• apply pedagogical knowledge necessary to function effectively as a university-level teacher;
• employ research and writing skills to communicate to both a general and professional community; and
• demonstrate use of strategies for navigating the hiring process in order to secure a teaching position in higher education.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 54 credits is required in the DMA Performance program. Shenandoah Conservatory will accept ten graduate credits beyond the master’s degree when earned at an accredited university or institution. All transfer credit beyond the master’s degree must fulfill curricular requirements in the DMA Performance degree. Deficiencies will be identified through a thorough academic transcript review. Successful fulfillment of deficiencies and required remediation are a condition of degree completion. 

All specific requirements, in terms of courses and credits in each of the degree categories, must be fulfilled regardless of the credits presented in the master’s degree. An overall grade point average of 3.0 (“B”) is required for graduation.