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The DMus Composition thesis is a research-creation project involving the composition of an original musical composition of major dimensions that demonstrates a high level of creative thinking and technical mastery. The thesis document consists of:

• The score of the composition (the musical work);
• A written analysis.

The analysis explains the aesthetic and technical basis of the work through a discussion of its generative processes/strategies, form, structure materials, etc. which situates the originality of the work in the context of previous works.

The work and its approach are defended in an oral examination.

Thesis Proposal Submission Deadline

The proposal is first approved by the Supervisor, then submitted to the Composition Area Committee for further feedback and/or final approval (the Area Chair will distribute the proposal to all faculty members of the Composition Area Committee).

• The proposal must be submitted to the Composition Area Chair by:
  • October 1 for evaluation during the Fall Term
  • April 1 for evaluation during the Winter Term.

Thesis Proposal Format

A complete D.Mus. Composition thesis proposal consists of:

• a completed thesis proposal form ( PhD/D.Mus. Dissertation Proposal Form)
• a short project description (two to three pages, twelve-point font, single-spaced)
• a bibliography (one page single-spaced). 听

The project description must include:

1. The title of the composition

2. The composition鈥檚 duration

3. The composition鈥檚 instrumentation

4. An overview of the composition鈥檚 related musical/extra-musical concepts

5. Discussion of the planned treatment of pitch, rhythm, orchestration, text (if applicable), electronics (if applicable), and form

6. Diagrams and musical examples (wherever helpful)

The proposal should provide an initial outline or structure for the analysis of the composition that will serve as the basis of the written document.

The sections on form, pitch, rhythm, orchestration and other formal elements may be accompanied by concise illustrations; each illustration must be legible and accompanied by an appropriate title.

References to the candidate鈥檚 compositions, past and present, as well as those of other composers, should be included.

Original features of the composition should be indicated and there should be some indication as to the contribution it will make to the discipline.

Evaluation of the Proposal

The members of the Composition Area will vote on one of the following three outcomes, to be determined by a simple majority:

• Pass (with no revisions): indicates that the Area Chair may sign and forward the thesis proposal and the proposal form to Graduate Studies Office.
• Provisional Pass (with minor revisions): indicates that the candidate must revise the proposal based on feedback provided by the Composition Area Committee.
  • The revised proposal will be approved by both the Area Chair and the candidate鈥檚 Supervisor.
    Once they are satisfied with the revision, the Area Chair will sign and forward the thesis proposal and the thesis proposal form to Graduate Studies Office.
• Fail (major revisions required): indicates that major revisions are needed and that a new proposal must be submitted to the Composition Area Chair within one month.

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The thesis document will be reviewed by an expert from outside the University and a Schulich School of Music faculty member.

Each of the following criteria are ranked on the following scale, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Satisfactory, Fail.

1. Evidence of originality and creativity;
2. Resourcefulness, alertness to significance of findings;
3. Diligence, care, technical skill in the research;
4. Usefulness of the results to other workers in the field; value as a contribution to knowledge;
5. Grasp of subject, powers of criticism and general adequacy in review of previous work;
6. Quality of presentation (coherence, lucidity, grammar, style, freedom from typographical errors).

Thesis Submission:

Your supervisor may find some useful tips for selecting examiners on the Graduate Supervision website.

• At least two months before initial submission:

Students must submit their 鈥淚ntent to Submit Thesis鈥� through myThesis.

Complete and detailed thesis guidelines including general requirements, preparation of a thesis, initial thesis submission, thesis examination, doctoral oral defense, thesis FAQ, deadlines and final thesis submission can be found on the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office website: /gps/thesis/thesis-guidelines.

Note that students in composition may be asked to submit hard copies of their thesis upon request of the examiner(s).

Other Resources

Tools for writing and research (including the Schulich School of Music Style Sheet)

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