Doctor of Music Guildhall School of Music & Drama

Overview

This Doctor of Music programme from Guildhall School of Music & Drama is a highly selective programme: applicants to the DMus are expected to be at an advanced stage of creative practice at the point of application—as a minimum, they should hold a Master’s degree in their principal instrument or have at least a year of professional experience. This is because creative practice forms the main research methodology and outcome. Applicants will also need to demonstrate capacity or potential to manage a small-scale research project and engage in critically informed analysis and reflection.

Key Facts

Composition: With guidance from staff in the composition department, you will design a research project structured around a series of compositions (professional works or self-commissions). Reflecting on the processes or products of this project, they address research questions that, on completion of the doctoral, contribute to current knowledge in the field of music composition. The submission for DMus Composition will normally consist of around 75 minutes of original composition with a critical commentary of at least 13,000 words.

Performance: With guidance from staff in one of the music departments (eg Keyboard, Strings, Historically Informed Music), you will design a research project that culminates in a doctoral recital in their principal instrument. Reflecting on the processes or products of this creative work, you’ll address research questions that, on completion of the doctoral, contribute to current knowledge in the field of music composition. The submission for DMus Performance will normally consist of a doctoral recital and up to 60 minutes of documented practices with a critical commentary of at least 30,000 words.