Music: Performance Studies (D.Mus.)
Offered by: Music (Schulich School of Music)
Degree: Doctor of Music
Program Description
The Doctor of Music (D.Mus.); Performance Studies focuses on practice through in-depth research in areas linked to performance. The program includes a doctoral project that is completed through artistic research or research papers choices. Live performance requirements are part of both choices.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Recitals (36 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUPG 760 | Doctoral Recital 1. | 12 |
Doctoral Recital 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A full-length public recital with program notes. | ||
| MUPG 767 | Doctoral Recital 2. | 12 |
Doctoral Recital 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A full-length public recital or recording with program notes. | ||
| MUPG 771 | Doctoral Final Project. | 12 |
Doctoral Final Project. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Either artistic research performance events or interdisciplinary projects of comparable scope with a document; or a research paper and a lecture-recital. Either choice includes a presentation of the research document. | ||
Required Courses (27 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUGS 701 | Comprehensive Examinations. | 0 |
Comprehensive Examinations. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examinations that must be passed by all doctoral candidates in order to continue in the doctoral program. | ||
| MUGS 711 | Performance Doctoral Colloquium 1 . | 0 |
Performance Doctoral Colloquium 1 . Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The colloquium nurtures a collaborative environment for the students to share and critique artistic practices and recent developments in their disciplines. The main focus for the Performance Colloquium is to work on, develop and formulate the framework of the student's final project. | ||
| MUPD 650 | Research Methods in Music . | 3 |
Research Methods in Music . Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This interdisciplinary lecture offers an overview of the fundamental principles of research in music. Emphasis is placed on acquainting students with the methods and techniques most commonly used to study music and musical processes. Topics include approaches and theories, artistic research, research project design, procedures for carrying out research, as well as both qualitatively- and quantitatively-oriented methods of data collection, processing and analysis. | ||
Performance Tutorials
one hour per week.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUIN 720 | D.Mus. Performance Tutorial 1. | 4 |
D.Mus. Performance Tutorial 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual instrumental or vocal tutorial. Advanced technical and interpretive training as well as recital preparation. | ||
| MUIN 721 | D.Mus. Performance Tutorial 2. | 4 |
D.Mus. Performance Tutorial 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual instrumental or vocal tutorial. Advanced technical and interpretive training as well as recital preparation. | ||
| MUIN 722 | D.Mus. Performance Tutorial 3. | 4 |
D.Mus. Performance Tutorial 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual instrumental or vocal tutorial. Advanced technical and interpretive training as well as recital preparation. | ||
| MUIN 723 | D.Mus. Performance Tutorial 4. | 4 |
D.Mus. Performance Tutorial 4. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual instrumental or vocal tutorial. Advanced technical and interpretive training as well as recital preparation. | ||
| MUIN 724 | D.Mus. Performance Tutorial 5. | 4 |
D.Mus. Performance Tutorial 5. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual instrumental or vocal tutorial. Advanced technical and interpretive training as well as recital preparation. | ||
| MUIN 725 | D.Mus. Performance Tutorial 6. | 4 |
D.Mus. Performance Tutorial 6. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual instrumental or vocal tutorial. Advanced technical and interpretive training as well as recital preparation. | ||
OR
one and a half (1.5) hours per week
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUIN 730 | D.Mus. Performance Tutorial 8. | 6 |
D.Mus. Performance Tutorial 8. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual instrumental or vocal tutorial. Advanced technical and interpretive training as well as recital preparation. | ||
| MUIN 731 | D.Mus. Performance Tutorial 9. | 6 |
D.Mus. Performance Tutorial 9. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual instrumental or vocal tutorial. Advanced technical or interpretive training as well as recital preparation. | ||
| MUIN 732 | D.Mus. Performance Tutorial 10. | 6 |
D.Mus. Performance Tutorial 10. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual instrumental or vocal tutorial. Advanced technical and interpretive training as well as recital preparation. | ||
| MUIN 733 | D.Mus. Performance Tutorial 11. | 6 |
D.Mus. Performance Tutorial 11. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual instrumental or vocal tutorial. Advanced technical and interpretive training as well as recital preparation. | ||
Complementary Courses
12 - 20 credits
12 credits at the 500 level or higher, to be chosen from the Schulich School of Music’s seminar offerings; 3 of the 12 credits must have a MUGS, MUGT, MUHL MUMT, or MUTH course code. Up to 3 of the 12 credits may be replaced with a supervised special project approved by the advisory committee, departmental chair and the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies in Music.
0-8 credits from (Voice Candidates only: Vocal Repertoire Coaching):
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUIN 700 | Doctoral Repertoire Coaching 1. | 2 |
Doctoral Repertoire Coaching 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual tutorial coaching sessions in repertoire, with emphasis on musical and linguistic nuance. | ||
| MUIN 701 | Doctoral Repertoire Coaching 2. | 2 |
Doctoral Repertoire Coaching 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual tutorial coaching sessions in repertoire, with emphasis on musical and linguistic nuance. | ||
| MUIN 702 | Doctoral Repertoire Coaching 3. | 2 |
Doctoral Repertoire Coaching 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual tutorial coaching sessions in repertoire, with emphasis on musical and linguistic nuance. | ||
| MUIN 703 | Doctoral Repertoire Coaching 4. | 2 |
Doctoral Repertoire Coaching 4. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual tutorial coaching sessions in repertoire, with emphasis on musical and linguistic nuance. | ||