Related Links Jazz Department How to Apply Doctoral Program

Information on this page is divided into the following categories:
Program Philosophy
The Program
Program Requirements
Degree Sequence Plan
Admission
Scholarships
Advisement
Graduation Requirements

Program Philosophy

The potential of jazz music in America is diverse and limitless, but only if conceived as a world of beauty, power, expression, and imagination in which all members of society can participate. The need exists for a new example of music instruction in our country, a model for performing artists of the future who will understand the centrality of their roles. Not only will they be able to teach the next generation of professional musicians, but they will also be able to broaden the artistic involvement of all Americans.

As jazz music continues to work its way into the mainstream of the American education system, new and innovative methods need to be formulated to assure the perpetuation and development of this important art form. The Manhattan School of Music philosophy is that this is best done at the actual point where knowledge is transferred, at the level of the educator.

Having created a program that attracts top musical talent, Manhattan School of Music trains Doctor of Musical Arts candidates through an integrated and innovative new educational format that focuses on three distinct and critical areas of jazz music: performance, composition and pedagogy. This three-fold educational concept enables a student to develop as “The Complete Artist Musician” — one who excels equally as a performer, composer, arranger, teacher, conductor of workshops and clinics, and lecturer. This new and distinctive concept in music education is the central philosophy of the Manhattan School of Music Doctoral Jazz Arts Advancement Program.

The Program

The program of study leading to the Manhattan School of Music doctor of musical arts degree is offered with a major in Jazz Arts Advancement. A minimum of 63 credits in approved graduate courses is required; the curriculum is designed to prepare the candidate for a performing and composing career as well as for teaching at both secondary and college levels. Students will, therefore, be expected to demonstrate strong academic capabilities in addition to a high level of achievement in performance and composition. All major lessons will be with a member of Manhattan School of Music's jazz composition faculty. Composers interested in the program must also be able to perform at a professional level in the jazz aesthetic.

Program Requirements

1. Students must be in residence at the School for a minimum of two years.
2. All course work and performance requirements must be completed within five and one-half years of the date of matriculation. A one year leave of absence may be taken for medical or professional reasons.
3. Students may transfer a maximum of nine graduate credits earned at another institution with a grade A or B; no applied credits (i.e., private lessons) may be transferred.

Degree Sequence Plan for Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz Arts Advancement

Admission

Admission to the doctor of musical arts degree program is based on an audition before the faculty of the candidate’s major department; the results of a three hour written examination in jazz history, theory, and improvisation; and a personal interview with the doctoral committee. Students for whom English is not the native language are required to take the standardized TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and achieve a score of at least 600.

Prescreening Procedures:

Applicants who pass the prescreening portion of the audition will be invited for a live audition in New York City. (Applicants must complete both composition and performance prescreening requirements.)

1. Composition Requirement:
   a. Submit copies of two scores and recordings of your large ensemble compositions.
2. Performance Requirement:
   a. All Jazz DMA applicants are required to submit a standard audio CD (no minidisc) with the application for prescreening.
   b. Repertoire for the prescreening recording must demonstrate the ability to perform at a high artistic and professional level, using a live band or play-along recording: Include three selections performed in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos.

Audition Procedures (applicants must complete all three audition requirements):

1. Composition Requirement: Applicants must submit copies of scores (no originals, please) and a CD of a least two of the pieces. Choose any three of the following:
   a. One original work for studio orchestra (the combination of big band and symphony) with or without jazz soloist(s).
   b. One original work for big band with or without jazz soloist(s).
   c. One original work for either orchestra or chamber group with or without jazz soloist(s).
   d. One original work utilizing MIDI or computer electronic sources. This piece may be for electronic sound sources only, or combination of electronic and acoustic instruments. If a prospective student has no access to MIDI or does not work with electronic media, an additional original acoustic piece for large ensemble of their choice may be substituted for this requirement.
2. Performance Requirement:
   a. Demonstrate ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section at a professional level of advancement.
   b. Prepare ten selections (including two ballads) in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos to be performed from memory.
3. Pedagogy Requirement:
   a. The candidate will present to the faculty panel a written outline for a 1-hour lecture or master class on a topic of the candidate's choice. From that outline, the candidate will present a 20-minute sample lecture that demonstrates his or her teaching skills. The candidate will specify the target audience as either Kindergarten through 8th grade, high school, undergraduate, or graduate ability and experience. Available resources for this component include audio equipment, whiteboard, and a piano. If the candidate wishes to distribute handouts, they must be prepared, copied, and collated in advance of the sample lecture.
   
   Additional Audition Requirements:
   a. A one-hour written test on jazz history, styles, and analysis with listening.
   b. A one-hour written jazz theory, harmony, and counterpoint examination.
   c. A personal interview with the doctoral committee.

For further information about admission to Manhattan School of Music, visit our How to Apply page.

Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded to full-time students on the basis of audition, financial need, and academic achievement as demonstrated on the entrance examinations in jazz music history and theory.

Advisement

Students admitted to the program must consult with the assistant dean of jazz studies each semester prior to registration. The assistant dean, in consultation with the doctoral committee, administers all matters of curriculum, document topics, examinations, and applications for graduation. All inquiries, forms, and petitions should be forwarded to the doctoral studies department.

Graduation Requirements

1) Jazz Arts Advancement majors are required to give:

• One large ensemble recital (Jazz Chamber Music). Students must conduct and/or solo in the performance. This performance should be 90 – 120 minutes in duration inclusive of intermission.
• One lecture recital on a topic of student’s choice to be approved by the Assistant Dean of the Jazz Arts Program. Duration should be 50 minutes.
• One research document on a jazz related topic of the student’s choice. This document must be approved by the assistant dean of the Jazz Arts Program and should be from 60 – 80 pages in length. The research document is a flexible requirement. Underlying this project must be evidence of basic research skills and good writing technique. Beyond that, we suggest work on a subject that will be of sufficient practical interest to the music world to offer the opportunity for publication. Common approaches to this project could be an historical study of some subject related to the major field or an analytical study of a work or group of works from the repertoire of the student’s instrument or a critical edition of some previously unavailable work(s).

2) The culmination of the doctoral program is the comprehensive exam. It is important to understand that these tests are not a measure of what the student learned in the two years of course work taken at Manhattan School of Music, but are rather an evaluation of his or her total experience with the history, literature, and theory of music gained over many years of working as a musician. Prior to graduation, the student must pass comprehensive examinations in jazz history/styles/analysis (HSA Exam), theory/analysis(TA Exam), and improvisation (Improv Exam). The HSA Exam and the TA Exam are written exams. The HSA exam involves listening as well as writing and takes approximately three hours. The TA Exam involves analysis of scores and transcriptions as well as short composition exercises and takes approximately four hours. The Improv Exam is a playing and written examination that will take approximately one hour. In the Improv Exam, students are required to:

• Provide their own accompanying trios and perform at the highest doctoral and professional level.
• Memorize and be fluent in all 60 compositions from years 5 and 6 of the departmental handbook (green book) and be prepared to play any of these compositions for the panel. The panel will select several of these pieces for performance.
• With the exception of the compositions Nica’s Dream, Pensativa, Upper Manhattan Medical Group, Moments Notice, Airegin, Chega de Saudade, Stablemates, and In Your Own Sweet Way, know all of the remaining compositions from years 5 and 6 in 12 keys.
• Write and play a line on a given chord progression.
• Sight-read and improvise on a composition that will be provided by the panel.

3) Upon completion of coursework, recitals, research document, and comprehensive exams (in this order), the student must present their thesis. The thesis is a 30-minute jazz orchestral work (for studio orchestra) to be performed in a Jazz Philharmonic concert. The student must solo and/or conduct their work. This work must be accompanied by extensive program notes.