Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Performance, Instrumental or Keyboard Applied Emphasis (D.M.A.)


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

Ryan Romine, Associate Professor of Music
Armstrong 25, 540-535-3570, rromine@su.edu

Keyboard:  Alexander Bernstein, Associate Professor of Music
Ruebush Hall, Room 200, abernste13@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 (program is currently suspended and is not accepting applicants at this time), piano, voice, collaborative piano, woodwind doubling (flute, clarinet, saxophone) chamber music and 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.

Course and Credit Requirements


Woodwind Doubling Requirements


  • AP__ 703 Applied Major Lesson - major
  • AP__ 703 Applied Major Lesson - major
  • AP__ 753 Applied Major Lesson - secondary
  • AP__ 753 Applied Major Lesson - secondary
  • AP__ 803 Applied Major Lesson - student choice
  • AP__ 803 Applied Major Lesson - student choice
  • MUPP 895 Doctoral Performance Recital - major
  • MUPP 895 Doctoral Performance Recital - secondary
  • MUPP 896 Doctoral Lecture Recital - woodwind doubling

Total: 54 credits


*Minimum grade of “C” required.

+Continuous enrollment of CONR 893 for at least one credit is required in fall and spring semesters after initial registration to support completion of the lecture and supporting document. Summer registration is optional. Registration for CONR 893 is the responsibility of the student until the requirement is fulfilled or the student submits a written statement of withdrawal from the curriculum. The course may be repeated for credit, but a maximum of four credits may be used to fulfill degree requirements. Extra CONR culminating research credits may not be used as elective credits and do not earn credit.

The grade of “IR” is given when a student is making satisfactory progress in CONR 893. Upon completion of the Lecture Recital Document requirement, the document advisor completes a grade change form for four credits of required CONR 893 to reflect the document final grade. Extra CONR culminating research credits are assigned the grade of “S” since these credits do not earn credit and do not carry any weight on the GPA.

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