Earn your DMA in Organ
Learn about pursuing your Doctor of Musical Arts in Organ at the University of Iowa School of Music.
Specific audition requirements
Application for admission to the degree will be processed when an approved audition has been completed. Completing the application by January 4 will enhance the possibility of financial assistance. The DMA audition requires three to five contrasting pieces, including a work by J.S. Bach and a major work written after 1840.
For more information about the DMA in Organ or about the audition process, please contact Gregory Hand.
Requirements and program planning
Requirements and program planning
- Introduction to Graduate Study in Music (MUS:5300), 2 semester hours
- Seminar in Music Research (MUS:7140), 2 semester hours
Students exempt from MUS:5200 through the advisory examination in music theory must complete 6 semester hours from the following:
- Counterpoint Before 1600 (MUS:4200), 3 semester hours
- Counterpoint After 1600 (MUS:4201), 3 semester hours
- Jazz Theory (MUS:4730), 3 semester hours
- Tonal Analysis (MUS:5235), 3 semester hours
- Non-Tonal Analysis (MUS:5236), 3 semester hours
- Analysis of Popular Music (MUS:5237), 3 semester hours
- Special Topics in Theory and Analysis (MUS:5240), 3 semester hours
- History of Ideas in Music (MUS:6210), 3 semester hours
- Theoretical Approaches to Music (MUS:6211), 3 semester hours
- Theory Pedagogy (MUS:6215), 3 semester hours
- Advanced Tonal Theory and Analysis (MUS:6250), 3 semester hours
- Advanced Non-Tonal Theory and Analysis (MUS:6251), 3 semester hours
- Advanced Theory and Analysis of Popular Music (MUS:6252), 3 semester hours
Select from the music history courses in the following list. Only one 4000-level course (taken at the University of Iowa or equivalent transferred in from another institution) may count toward the 6 semester hours required:
- Music and Gender (MUS:4320), 3 semester hours
- Medieval and Renaissance Music (MUS:4325), 3 semester hours
- Baroque Music (MUS:4330), 3 semester hours
- 18th-Century Music (MUS:4335), 3 semester hours
- 19th-Century Music (MUS:4340), 3 semester hours
- 20th-Century Music (MUS:4345), 3 semester hours
- Advanced Jazz History (MUS:4350), 3 semester hours
- American Music (MUS:4355), 3 semester hours
- Jazz Matters (MUS:4360), 3 semester hours
- Studies in Film and Music (MUS:4610), 3 semester hours
- Teaching Music, History, and Culture (MUS:6305), 3 semester hours
- Topics in Musicology (MUS:6310), 3 semester hours
- Historical Approaches to Music (MUS:6312), 3 semester hours
- Topics in Ethnomusicology (MUS:6314), 3 semester hours
- Foundations of Ethnomusicology (MUS:6315), 3 semester hours
- Renaissance Music Notations (MUS:6326), 3 semester hours
- Music Editing (MUS:6375), 3 semester hours
- Major Ensemble (four semesters required), 1 semester hour each
- Organ majors may substitute piano accompanying for major ensemble participation, at their major applied teacher's discretion.
- Graduate organ lessons (MUS:6022), 2 semester hours
- Four semesters are required for a total of 8 semester hours.
- Organ Literature Survey (MUS:4450), 2 semester hours
- Two semesters are required for a total of 4 semester hours
- Organ Literature Special Topics (MUS:5475), 2 semester hours
- Two semesters are required for a total of 4 semester hours
- Organ Pedagogy (MUS:5452), 2 semester hours
At least 4 semester hours from the following:
- Liturgics (MUS:4452), 2 semester hours
- Service Playing and Improvisation (MUS:4454), 2 semester hours
- Organ Pedagogy (MUS:5452), 2 semester hours
- History of Organ Building and Design (MUS:5450), 2 semester hours
- Organ Literature Special Topics (MUS:5475), 2 semester hours
Recital requirements:
- Qualifying Recital (MUS:7899), 0 semester hours
- DMA Recital 1 (MUS:7900), 1 to 2 semester hours
- DMA Recital 2 (MUS:7900), 1 to 2 semester hours
- DMA Recital 3 (MUS:7900), 1 to 2 semester hours
- DMA Essay/Thesis (MUS:7970)
- 2 semester hour minimum; 6 semester hour maximum
- If the student started coursework prior to Fall 2019, the range is 4 to 8 semester hours.
Proficiency in two languages, usually French and German. This requirement may be satisfied by completion of one of the following courses in each language.
German
- German Reading for Graduate Students (GRMN:5000)
- Prerequisite GRMN:1020, 1010
- Intermediate German II (GRMN:2002)
- Intensive Intermediate German (GRMN:2020)
French
- Intermediate French II (FREN:2002)
- French for Reading Research (FREN:4911)
The comprehensive examination committee shall consist of four School of Music faculty members. The committee shall include the organ faculty and three additional School of Music faculty with representative faculty from the Theory and Musicology areas.
The essay/thesis committee shall consist of four faculty members. The committee shall include the organ faculty and other members of the School of Music faculty (representation of theory and/or history).
Rahn and Frawley Organ Fellowships and Assistantships
Graduate fellowships and assistantships with in-state tuition status are available. All graduate organ students are eligible. The actual amount of award will be determined after a performance audition before University of Iowa organ faculty. Performance ability and academic excellence are the major considerations.
Fellowships and assistantships may be renewed with the recommendation of the organ faculty, and based on maintenance of performance and academic standards. All applicants must be registered or have applied for admission to The University of Iowa to be considered.
Create your academic path
You'll find degree overviews, requirements, course lists, academic plans, and more to help you plan your education and explore your possibilities.
Current course list
The MyUI Schedule displays registered courses for a particular session and is available to enrolled students. The list view includes course instructors, time and location, and features to drop courses or change sections.
Add a minor
Any student admitted to a graduate degree program in the School of Music may add a theory pedagogy minor by completing the required courses.
Organ faculty
Gregory Hand
Melanie Sigafoose
Practice and perform
Need to book a music room, request an accompanist, check out audition information, rent a locker, or use a recording studio? Visit the Music Callboard for all scheduling and policy information.