The Degree of Doctor of Musical Arts – DMA

1 a A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts is required to pursue an approved programme of advanced study and research as an enrolled student of the University.

b It is expected that this programme will normally be completed in no fewer than 33 months and no more than 36 months of full-time candidature. Part-time candidature may also be permitted with the approval of the Board of Graduate Studies.

c The Degree of Doctor of Musical Arts is awarded for the successful completion of a coherent programme of advanced performance work that is firmly supported by a written thesis and carried out over the period of registration for the Degree, which in the opinion of the examiners and the Board of Graduate Studies satisfies both the following criteria:

(i) the consistent exhibition of performance skills at the highest professional levels, meeting internationally recognised standards for such work

and

(ii) the provision of written material (the thesis) that makes an original contribution to the field of knowledge relating to music performance, and shows an ability to articulate critical judgement and performance theory, while demonstrating a knowledge of the literature relevant to the history and performing practice of the music contained in the candidate’s examinable programmes.

The thesis may not, without the prior permission of the Board of Graduate Studies, exceed 35,000 words in total.

d All research for this degree is to be conducted in accordance with the University of Auckland Guidelines for the Conduct of Research.

2 A candidate for the Degree of Doctor of Musical Arts is required to have:

a completed the requirements for the Degree of Master of Music at the University of Auckland with First Class Honours or Second Class Honours First Division, or completed the requirements for the award of a qualification that the Board of Graduate Studies considers to be equivalent to the Degree of Master of Music with First Class Honours or Second Class Honours (First Division) at the University of Auckland

and

b demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the Head of School of Music, in consultation with the School of Music Postgraduate Committee, the level of training and ability that is necessary for the pursuit of a programme of advanced doctoral study in music performance and research.

3 Every candidate for the Degree of Doctor of Musical Arts must have applied for admission and have been admitted to the University of Auckland.

4 A candidate enrolled for this degree must normally follow a programme of 36 full-time months (or the part-time equivalent) and pass an approved three-part programme of advanced study in music performance and research with a total value of 360 points.

5 a Registration and all conditions pursuant to it shall be determined in accordance with Regulation 2 of the General Regulations – Named Doctorates.

b The following provisional goals are required of all candidates:

(i) full proposals for both the thesis and future recitals, including a provisional title, a schedule of research, an outline of repertoire and a statement of resources required to complete the research, to be approved by the appropriate postgraduate committee

(ii) a substantial piece of written work, such as a literature review, completed to the satisfaction of the main supervisor

(iii) presentation of a minimum of one and maximum of two recitals

(iv) presentation by the student of the proposal and/or work in progress to an appropriate forum, e.g., seminar, research group, conference, to the satisfaction of the supervisors

(v) ethics approval/s and/or permissions obtained for the research (if required)

(vi) completion of the standard doctoral milestone goals relating to induction, English language and academic integrity as prescribed by the Board of Graduate Studies upon commencement of the registration

(vii) completion of a health and safety risk assessment and training for any laboratory/studio/field and related work activities

(viii) enrolment in and satisfactory passing of one or more courses as determined by the postgraduate committee.

c Further provisional goals may be added as per Regulation 2 of the General Regulations – Named Doctorates and as required after the commencement of registration as per Regulation 4a of the General Regulations – Named Doctorates.

6 a Reviews of progress and continuation of registration will be made according to Regulation 3 of the General Regulations – Named Doctorates.

b During provisional registration, a candidate must achieve the provisional goals specified by the Board of Graduate Studies, and successfully complete the requirements for Part I of the degree as specified in Regulation 9 of these regulations.

c Annual reviews of progress and continuation of registration beyond the period of provisional registration will be made in accordance with Regulation 3d of the General Regulations – Named Doctorates and in relation to Regulation 9 of these regulations below as well as progress on the thesis.

7 Changes to supervision, extensions of time, and suspension or termination of registration will be made according to Regulation 4 of the General Regulations – Named Doctorates.

8 Enrolment and payment of fees will be determined according to Regulation 5 of the General Regulations – Named Doctorates.

9 a During the period of Registration a candidate will undertake a three-part programme of academic and practical research in performance, repertoire and pedagogy relating to the candidate’s instrument or performance medium, and present a total of five public recitals each of approximately 90 minutes’ duration, including, in Part III, the Final Recital.

b The candidate’s recitals must provide a balanced programme comprising solo and ensemble repertoire which must include music of historical significance, recognised virtuoso pieces and works of a demanding contemporary nature. For each recital the candidate must provide substantial programme notes of a professional standard. In every case except for the Final Recital, the candidate’s proposed programme and programme notes are to be approved by the performance supervisor and the Head of School of Music at least three months before the recital date. The proposed programme for the Final Recital must be included in the candidate’s Annual Report at the end of Part II. The proposed Final Recital programme may be changed with the approval of the performance supervisor and the Head of School of Music at least six months before the recital date.

Part I

c During Part I of the degree the candidate will:

(i) present a minimum of one and a maximum of two recitals, as prescribed in Regulations 9a, b and f

and

(ii) provide full proposals and a substantial example of written work

and

(iii) give a seminar on the thesis research, in consultation with the appropriate supervisor or supervisors.

Part II

d During Part II of the degree the candidate will continue to undertake supervised research in performance, and on the approved thesis topic. To complete Part II, the candidate must present:

(i) a minimum of two and a maximum of three recitals, so that a total of four recitals has been presented for Parts I and II together

and

(ii) a seminar on the thesis research, in consultation with the appropriate supervisor or supervisors.

Part III

e During Part III of the degree the candidate will complete and submit the thesis, and will present a further seminar and a Final Recital, with a programme that is linked to the thesis topic in such a way that the candidate’s theoretical and aesthetic ideals are clearly articulated through both the musical performance and the written submission.

Recitals

f All recitals except the Final Recital will be assessed by panels appointed by the Head of School of Music, to whom a report on each recital should be sent. The panels will consist of an internal examiner, an external examiner of international expertise and distinction and the Head of School of Music or nominee, who will act as moderator. Each of the first four recitals must be judged satisfactory in order for the student to progress to the next.

Recitals judged unsatisfactory will be treated as follows:

(i) the recital should normally be retaken within two months. If circumstances do not allow this, an application may be made to the Head of School of Music for a further month in which to present the recital

(ii) the original programme must normally be offered again in its entirety. Any alteration of the programme must be approved, in advance, by the Head of School of Music

(iii) the same examining panel, where possible, will judge the retaken recital. If either examiner or the Head of School of Music nominee should become unavailable, the Head of School of Music will appoint a replacement.

Recitals may only be retaken once; if a retaken recital is judged to be unsatisfactory, the Head of School of Music will recommend to the Board of Graduate Studies that registration in the degree be terminated.

10 a Copies of Thesis

All candidates are initially required to submit to the School of Graduate Studies one copy of the thesis in temporary binding and one electronic copy in pdf format. Copies should include the following statement to examiners on the first page:

“This thesis is for examination purposes only and is confidential to the examination process”.

b Time for Submission

Unless permitted to do otherwise by the Board of Graduate Studies, a candidate must normally submit the thesis and undertake the final recital in no fewer than 33 months and no more than 36 months from the Date of Registration if they are full-time students, or no fewer than 66 months and no more than 72 months in the case of candidates who have been registered as part-time students for the whole period of their registration. In the case of candidates who have been permitted to change between full-time and part-time registration, the submission times will be calculated on a pro rata basis.

c Notification of Submission

Three months prior to the date of the Final Recital, which should normally be undertaken on or before the maximum submission date, a candidate must notify the School of Graduate Studies in writing of their intention to submit the thesis, which must be received one month before the date of the Final Recital or maximum submission date, whichever is sooner. This notice of submission must be approved by the Head of School of Music and must include details of the programme of the Final Recital, as approved by the Head of School of Music, in accordance with Regulation 9b. If a candidate has reason to believe that any person would be unsuitable to serve as an examiner on the grounds of conflict of interest, then the candidate may also submit to the School of Graduate Studies at this time the name of this person or persons and a statement in writing as to the nature of the conflict of interest. This notice of submission must be approved by the Head of School of Music.

d Declaration as to Originality

One month prior to the date of the Final Recital, the candidate must submit to the School of Graduate Studies one copy of the thesis in temporary binding and one electronic copy in pdf format accompanied by a statutory declaration, signed by the candidate, stating:

(i) that the thesis is the candidate’s own work

(ii) that no part of the thesis has been submitted or accepted for any other degree or diploma

(iii) that the temporary-bound copy and electronic copy are identical.

e Language of Thesis

The thesis is to be presented in English unless otherwise approved by the Board of Graduate Studies at the time of first registration of the candidate.

11 The examination process will follow that of Regulation 9 of the Statute for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2016, except that Regulations 9c, 9e, 9f, 9g, 9i, 9l, 9o, 9r (iv–vii), 9s (iv–vii) and 9u of the Statute for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2016 will not apply.

a Nomination and Appointment of Examiners

Upon request to approve a notice of submission as per Regulation 10c of these regulations, the Head of School of Music will, on the advice of the supervisor(s), nominate at least two suitably qualified persons to the Board of Graduate Studies for selection as examiners. The nominees should each hold a doctoral degree, or have equivalent expertise and experience, and be expert in the field of study which is the subject of the thesis and creative work. At least one nominee must be from outside New Zealand. The examiners may not be staff members of the University of Auckland or have been involved in either the research for or the preparation of the thesis and recital, and will not therefore have been involved in assessment of any of the first four recitals. Examiners will be appointed in accordance with Regulation 9d of the Statute for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2016. Both examiners must be able to attend the Final Recital in person and one examiner must be able to attend the Oral Examination in person.

b Appointment of Examination Committee

The Board of Graduate Studies will also appoint an Examination Committee, which will normally be composed of:

(i) the Head of School of Music

and

(ii) an Associate Dean (Postgraduate), who will chair the Examination Committee

and

(iii) one other person (“the Head of Department Nominee”), nominated by the Head of School of Music. This person will have knowledge of the general field of the thesis, but not necessarily of the thesis topic, and will normally be a staff member of the University. No member of the Examination Committee may be a supervisor or have been involved in either the thesis research or the preparation of the thesis or recital. The Associate Dean will normally be from the same faculty as the candidate, but if that person is in the same department as the candidate then an Associate Dean from another faculty must be substituted.

c Examination Process

The final examination will take the thesis and the Final Recital into joint consideration.

d The Final Recital is to be attended by both the examiners and the Head of Department Nominee, and must be recorded in both sound and vision.

e Each examiner will be provided with a copy of the thesis, which is to be examined independently. Within one month after the date of the Final Recital, examiners are required to provide the Board of Graduate Studies with a report on both the thesis and the Final Recital according to the criteria given in Regulation 1c. The examiners will include with their reports one of the following recommendations. The examiners may also combine a recommendation of Regulation 11e(v) of these regulations with the recommendation of (ii), (iii) or (iv).

(i) to award the degree, subject to satisfactory performance at the oral examination;

The thesis and Final Recital can be passed without any further amendment or correction. Sometimes examiners may wish to include a list of suggested amendments for the candidate to use when publishing the thesis.

or

(ii) to award the degree after specified “minor corrections” have been made to the thesis to the satisfaction of one of the examiners or a nominee (who may be the main supervisor) and by a specified date, and subject to satisfactory performance at the oral examination (and in the Final Recital if recommendation (v) is also selected).

This recommendation can be made when the thesis has reached the required standard but for minor problems such as inconsistency in terminology, problems connected with referencing or typographical errors. These changes can normally be made within a three-month period. When these corrections are made, the thesis will meet the standard and then will be ready for permanent binding and placement in the Library.

or

(iii) to award the degree after specified revisions have been made to the thesis to the satisfaction of the examiner or nominee (who will be the Head of School of Music), by a specified date, and subject to satisfactory performance at the oral examination (and in the Final Recital if recommendation (v) is also selected).

This recommendation is made when an examiner concludes that the revisions required are not minor, but are substantial, for example the need to analyse data further, rewrite chapters, correct significant lapses in logic or coherence, or achieve higher standards of presentation. These changes can normally be made within a 3–6-month period.

or

(iv) to permit the candidate to revise the thesis and resubmit it for examination on one further occasion only.

This recommendation is made when an examiner concludes that the thesis is not yet of doctoral standard. It will require either further research, rewriting of specific sections, reconceptualisation, and/or reorganisation in order to reach the required standard. The candidate will be permitted to resubmit, normally within a twelve-month period.

and/or

(v) to permit the candidate to repeat the Final Recital on one further occasion only.

This recommendation is made when an examiner concludes that Final Recital was not yet of doctoral standard. It may require a higher level of professional competence, interpretive reconceptualisation or a greater degree of musical artistry. The candidate will be permitted to offer the Final Recital again, normally within a 12-month period.

or

(vi) not to award the degree, but refer the thesis and performance (the Final Recital) to the appropriate authority within the University for consideration of the award of another degree.

This recommendation is made when an examiner is of the opinion that the thesis and performance demonstrated substantial flaws incompatible with the requirements of a DMA.

or

(vii) not to award any degree.

f Replacement of Examiners

(i) If a report has not been received within one month, the School of Graduate Studies will send a reminder to the examiner and advise them that unless the report is received within a further month the appointment of the examiner will be terminated. If the report has not been received within one month of the date of the reminder, the Board of Graduate Studies may appoint a replacement examiner.

(ii) The Board of Graduate Studies reserves the right to appoint a replacement examiner in the event that an examiner provides an inappropriate report.

Any replacement examiner will be provided with a digital recording of the Final Recital, as well as with a copy of the thesis.

g Consideration of Examiners’ Reports

The examiners’ reports will be referred to the Examination Committee as in Regulation 9k of the Statute for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2016. The Examination Committee, which will be provided with both a copy of the thesis and a DVD recording of the Final Recital, will make a report to the Board of Graduate Studies which includes the nature and outcome of any communication with the examiner/s and/or supervisor/s made under Regulation 9k and which recommends one of the following:

(i) to appoint one or more further independent examiners to report on any areas of conflict

or

(ii) to proceed to the oral examination

or

(iii) to permit the candidate to revise the thesis and resubmit it for examination on one further occasion only

or

(iv) to permit the candidate to revise the thesis and resubmit it for examination on one further occasion only and retake the Final Recital on one further occasion only

or

(v) not to award the degree, but refer the thesis and performance (the Final Recital) to the appropriate authority within the University for consideration of the award of another degree

or

(vi) not to award any degree

h Further Examiners

In the event that the examiners’ reports are in serious conflict the Board of Graduate Studies may appoint independent external examiners, as in Regulation 9m of the Statute for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2016, to report on any matters it may specify. Such examiners will be provided with a copy of the recording of the Final Recital and the thesis.

i Oral Examination

In the event that the Board of Graduate Studies accepts a recommendation to proceed to an oral examination, Regulation 9n of the Statute for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2016 will apply.

j Recommendation of the Oral Examination

On completion of the oral examination, the Chair will provide a written report and recommendation, endorsed by the Head of Department Nominee and the Oral Examiner, to the Board of Graduate Studies. The report will include one of the following recommendations. The Examiners may also combine recommendation Regulation 11j(v) of these regulations with the recommendation of (ii), (iii) or (iv):

either

(i) to award the degree

or

(ii) to award the degree after specified “minor corrections” (see Regulation 11e(ii)) have been made to the thesis, to the satisfaction of the Oral Examiner or nominee (who may be the Main Supervisor), and by a specified date, and subject to satisfactory performance in the Final Recital where recommendation (v) is also selected

or

(iii) (a) to award the degree subject to revising part or parts of the thesis, to the satisfaction of the Oral Examiner or nominee (who will be the Head of School of Music), by a specified date, and subject to satisfactory performance in the Final Recital where recommendation (v) is also selected. When the Head of School of Music acts as the Oral Examiner’s nominee, the nature of the revisions must be such that they can certify that compliance has been achieved. In such cases, the Head of School of Music may discuss the revisions with the Head of Department Nominee on the Examination Committee and/or the Main Supervisor. If the Head of School of Music is unable to assess whether the revisions have been made to the required standard, the revisions to the thesis must be assessed by the Oral Examiner

or

(b) to award the degree subject to revising part or parts of the thesis to the satisfaction of the Examiner or Examiners by a specified date

or

(iv) to permit the candidate to revise the thesis, and resubmit it for examination on one further occasion only, but only if the candidate has not already been permitted to revise and resubmit under Regulation 11g(iii) or (iv)

and/or

(v) to permit the candidate to repeat the Final Recital on one further occasion only, but only if the candidate has not already been permitted to retake the Final Recital under Regulation 11g(iv)

or

(vi) not to award the degree, but refer the thesis and Final Recital to the appropriate authority within the University for consideration of the award of another degree

or

(vii) not to award the degree.

In the case of recommendations 11j(iii) and 11j(iv), the report must also state clearly the nature of the revisions recommended.

k When minor corrections are required, Regulation 9p of the Statute for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2016 applies. When revisions are required, Regulation 9q of the Statute for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2016 applies.

l Revision and Resubmission of the Thesis/Repetition of the Final Recital

(i) In the event that the Examination Committee recommends to the Board of Graduate Studies that the candidate should be permitted to revise the thesis, or revise the thesis and retake the Final Recital, prior to an oral examination, the Examination Committee will recommend:

(a) a timeframe for the resubmission of the thesis

(b) a timeframe for the retaking of the Final Recital, if required.

(ii) The date of resubmission of the thesis or retaking of the Final Recital may not be fewer than six months or more than twelve months from the date the examiners’ reports were forwarded to the Examination Committee by the School of Graduate Studies. If the Board of Graduate Studies accepts the recommendation, Regulations 9r(i to iii) of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Statute 2016 apply

and

(iii) the candidate is required to enrol and pay the prescribed tuition and research fees from the month in which the decision was made to the month in which the thesis is to be resubmitted and/or the Final Recital retaken. The registration of the candidate is to continue under the conditions applying at the first date of submission

(iv) if the thesis is not resubmitted or the Final Recital is not repeated by the prescribed date, the registration of the candidate will normally be terminated

(v) upon resubmission of the thesis, or resubmission of the thesis and retaking of the Final Recital, the thesis, and Final Recital if retaken, are to be examined by the same examiners in accordance with the provisions of this Regulation, excepting that a further resubmission or recital may not be recommended. If one or both of the original examiners is unavailable to re-examine the thesis or to attend the repeated Final Recital, the Board of Graduate Studies will appoint alternative examiner/s. In cases where a repeated Final Recital has not been required by the Board of Graduate Studies, examiners will be provided with a copy of the recording of the original.

(vi) upon receipt of both of the examiners’ reports, the School of Graduate Studies will provide copies of the new examiners’ reports and the original examiners’ reports to the Examination Committee and to the supervisor/s on a confidential basis. The procedure followed by the Examination Committee will be that in Regulation 11g. Following consideration of all examiners’ reports, the Examination Committee will make a report to the Board of Graduate Studies which includes the nature and outcome of any communications with the examiners and/or supervisor/s made under Regulation 11g. The Examination Committee may recommend the appointment of one or more further independent examiners to report on any areas of conflict, and the Board of Graduate Studies may appoint a further examiner where there is serious conflict between examiners’ reports. Further examiners must be provided with a copy of the thesis and a recording of the Final Recital. If the Examination Committee recommends that an oral examination be held, and the Board of Graduate Studies accepts this recommendation, the School of Graduate Studies will release the examiners’ reports to the candidate no fewer than five working days before the oral examination. The procedure for the oral examination will be that in Regulations 11i and 11j of these regulations. If the Examination Committee recommends that an oral examination should not be held, its report will include one of the following recommendations:

(a) not to award the degree, but refer the thesis and Final Recital to the appropriate authority within the University for consideration of the award of another degree

or

(b) not to award the degree.

m In the event that the Board of Graduate Studies requires the candidate to revise the thesis and/or repeat the Final Recital after an oral examination, the Oral Examination Committee will recommend a timeframe for the resubmission. The date of resubmission may not be fewer than six months or more than twelve months from the date of the oral examination. In such cases, Regulation 9s(i–iii) of the Statute of the Degree for the Doctor of Philosophy 2016 and the following provisions apply:

(i) the candidate is required to enrol and pay the prescribed tuition and research fees from the month in which the decision was made to the month in which the thesis is to be resubmitted and/or the Final Recital retaken. The registration of the candidate is to continue under the conditions applying at the first date of submission

(ii) if the thesis is not resubmitted or the Final Recital is not repeated by the prescribed date, the registration of the candidate will normally be terminated

(iii) upon resubmission, the thesis and/or Final Recital are to be examined by the same examiners in accordance with the provisions of this Regulation, excepting that a further resubmission or recital may not be recommended. If one or both of the original examiners is unavailable to re-examine the thesis or to attend the repeated Final Recital, the Board of Graduate Studies will appoint alternative examiner/s. In cases where a repeated Final Recital has not been required by the Board of Graduate Studies, examiners will be provided with a copy of the recording of the original.

(iv) upon receipt of both of the examiners’ reports, the School of Graduate Studies will provide copies of the new examiners’ reports, the original examiners’ reports and the oral examination report to the Examination Committee and to the supervisor/s on a confidential basis.

The procedure followed by the Examination Committee will be that in Regulation 11g. Following consideration of all examiners’ reports the Examination Committee will make a report to the Board of Graduate Studies which includes the nature and outcome of any communications with the examiners and/or supervisor/s made under Regulation 11g. The Examination Committee report must recommend one of the following:

(a) to appoint one or more further examiners to report on any areas of conflict. Where the Board of Graduate Studies appoints a further examiner, they shall be provided with a copy of the thesis and a recording of the Final Recital as appropriate.

or

(b) to proceed to a second oral examination in cases where the thesis was revised and resubmitted (in which case Regulations 11i and 11j of these regulations apply)

or

(c) to award the degree

or

(d) to award the degree after specified minor corrections (see Regulation 11e(ii)) have been made to the thesis to the satisfaction of the Examiner or nominee (who may be the Main Supervisor), by a specified date

or

(e) not to award the degree, but refer the thesis and Final Recital to the appropriate authority within the University for consideration of the award of another degree

or

(f) not to award the degree.

If the Examination Committee recommends that a second oral examination be held, and the Board of Graduate Studies accepts this recommendation, the School of Graduate Studies will release the examiners’ evaluations of the work (Part 2 of the report) to the candidate no fewer than five working days before the oral examination.

n Final Decision

After considering all of the reports of the examiners and Examination Committees, the Board of Graduate Studies will make the final decision as to the award of the degree.

o Copies for Deposit

On completion of the examination the candidate must deposit two hardbound copies of the thesis and one digital copy, corrected or revised as may be required, and the audio and video recordings of the Final Recital with the School of Graduate Studies. These must be accompanied by a statutory declaration signed by the candidate stating that the hardbound copies and the digital copy are the same. The degree will not be conferred until this requirement has been complied with.

12 In exceptional circumstances the Board of Graduate Studies may approve a personal programme which does not conform to these regulations.

13 Appeals regarding the examination process or decisions of the Board of Graduate Studies must be made according to Regulation 6 of the General Regulations – Named Doctorates.

14 Disputes are to be resolved in accordance with Regulation 7 of the General Regulations – Named Doctorates.

15 a These regulations came into force on 1 January 2016. The 2006 regulations for the Degree of Doctor of Musical Arts were thereby repealed.

b For a candidate initially registered under earlier regulations for this degree the Board of Graduate Studies may agree to vary the provisions of these regulations to ensure consistency with the provisions of the regulations under which the candidate was enrolled.