Voice

Choose from two concentrations, operatic performance or voice performance, in our Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice.

Both streams require performances in recitals and opera and rigorous academic courses, in theory, musicology or ethnomusicology.

We prepare our DMA candidates for superior performance and academic careers. And we encourage interdisciplinary research and collaborative performance projects within the School of Music or in the broader university environment.


Prerequisites

  • Outstanding performing ability
  • Master of Music degree or equivalent
  • 100-level proficiency in three languages in addition to certified proficiency by the School of Music in one of these
  • History courses in the area of specialization

Curriculum

You must complete a total of 45 credits in

  • 512E Directed Individual Studies - 3 credits (Ref. 1)
  • 539C Opera Production - 6 credits or 539C Opera Production (as 512, Directed Individual Study) - 3 credits - and 521 Seminar in Performance Practices - 3 credits
  • 649 Thesis (Ref. 1)
  • 693B Music Performance (Voice) - 6 credits
  • 694B Music Performance (Voice) - 8 credits
  • 695B Music Performance (Voice) - 10 credits
  • Seminar in Music History - 3 credits (Ref. 2)
  • Seminar in Music Theory - 3 credits (Ref. 2)
  • Seminars in Music History, Music Theory, or Ethnomusicology 6 credits (Ref. 2)

Division Comprehensive examinations are to be taken following all course work excepting the final year of performance and Music 649.

In addition, as part of the program of study and before you take your comprehensive examinations, you must complete one solo recital and perform one major operatic role.

Note that you must complete any remedial requirements specified as a result of entrance examinations before admission to relevant academic seminars in Music History, Music Theory, and Ethnomusicology; completion of remedial requirements, furthermore, is a prerequisite for advancement to doctoral candidacy.

You must take MUSC 520A (Introduction to Music Research) as a prerequisite (not counting for program credit) if its equivalent has not been completed elsewhere.

  1. Students shall register in Music 512E during their first term of study and remain registered in this course until they advance to doctoral candidacy. Once candidacy has been approved, students shall register in Music 649 and remain registered in this course until they complete their program.
  2. Courses for the required 500-level seminars in Music Theory, Music History, or Ethnomusicology must be taught by faculty in the Music Theory, Musicology, and Ethnomusicology Divisions.


Thesis

The candidate will take three credits of Music 512E (Directed Individual Studies) to formulate a proposal for the thesis topic.

After your comprehensive examinations, you must complete one further solo recital and then the thesis. Finally, opera students perform two more major operatic roles and then the thesis.

The DMA Thesis in Voice includes an in-depth analytical or historical study culminating in a lecture-recital with an accompanying document. The intent of the document is to complement and amplify the lecture-recital.

Effective February 28, 2023, a DMA student should send a link to the final lecture-recital in an appropriate streaming format alongside the dissertation. For detailed information about DMA dissertation submission, visit the Submitting the Dissertation for External Examination section of the UBC Graduate School website.


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