under the auspices of the School of Performing Arts

L.N. 95 of 2014

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Doctor of Music – D.Mus. – Degree Course Regulations, 2014

under the auspices of the School of Performing Arts

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred upon him by articles 74 (5)

and 75 (6) of the Education Act (Cap. 327), the Chancellor of the University

of Malta has promulgated the following regulations made by the Senate of the

University of Malta by virtue of the powers conferred upon it by articles 75

(3) and 79 (b) of the said Act

Citation and Interpretation

(1) These regulations may be cited as the Doctor of Music – D.Mus. -

Degree Course Regulations, 2014.

(2) In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires –

“the Board” means the Board of the School of Performing Arts;

“the Board of Studies” means the Board of Studies for the Degree;

“the Degree” means the Degree of Doctor of Music – D.Mus.;

“the School ” means the School of Performing Arts; and

“the Sub-Committee” means the Ph.D. Sub-Committee appointed by Senate

in terms of the Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. - Degree Regulations, 2008;

Applicability

These regulations shall be applicable as from 1st October, 2013 onwards.

Award of the Degree

The Degree shall be awarded to students who satisfy all the criteria in any

one of the following areas of specialisation

(a) by composition: successfully present and defend a portfolio of new and

original compositions, that includes large scale work(s), of not less than 60 minutes in

all, followed by a viva voce examination. This portfolio, together with the dissertation,

shall be assessed under normal examination conditions by the Board of Examiners;

(b) by performance: successfully present

(i) three public performances which shall include one solo recital, one concert

of chamber music (or one concert with ensemble accompaniment for instruments

with no chamber repertoire), and one performance of a concerto (or equivalent major

work/s) with orchestra. The three concerts are to be spread throughout the course;

and

(ii) a final performance which shall consist of either a solo recital or a

concerto with orchestra. The final performance is to be held towards the end of the

final year of study (Semester 2); and

(iii) a dissertation closely linked to the programme of the final performance.

Work on the dissertation shall normally start in the first year of study.

Sub-Committee appointed by Senate

The Sub-Committee appointed by Senate in terms of the Doctor of Philosophy

- Ph.D. - Degree Regulations, 2008 shall also be entrusted with the responsibility for

the Degree.

School Doctoral Committee

The School Doctoral Committee appointed in terms of the Doctor of

Philosophy – Ph.D. – Degree Regulations, 2008 shall also consider applications for

the Degree as well as the progress of students registered on the Degree.

Registration for the Degree

Applications for registration for the Degree shall be accepted by Senate, on

the recommendations of the Board and of the Sub-Committee.

(1) The Sub-Committee shall consider applications for the Degree from

applicants who possess a Master of Music or a Master of Arts degree in music of this

or another university or qualifications of comparable standard recognised for this

purpose by the Senate or extensive professional experience.

(2) Applications for the Degree shall include the following

(a) the proposed title of the project;

(b) a detailed research proposal, normally of approximately 1000 words,

that includes the compositional tools and techniques in the case of the Degree by

composition, and the analytical tools and performance practices in the case of the

Degree by performance;

(c) a statement on whether the studies will be undertaken on a full-time or a

part-time basis. Applicants engaged in full-time employment shall not normally be

permitted to register as full-time students, except in circumstances where applicants

provide evidence to show that their employers are willing to grant sufficient time

off from work to allow them to engage in full-time study, and, in the latter case, the

number of hours that will be dedicated to this research work. Applicants registering

on a part-time basis shall also specify in their statement the number of hours that will

be dedicated to the research work;

(d) a statement by a member of staff of the University who has agreed to act

as the Principal Supervisor; and

(e) a recommendation from the Principal Supervisor that the topic of research

is acceptable.

(3) The Sub-Committee shall submit to Senate all applications which satisfy

the requirements under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this regulation. Senate may accept

such applications and may impose such conditions as it deems fit.

Duration of Studies

(1) Studies for the Degree shall extend over three years of full-time study

or six years of part-time study. If the nature of the proposed research so demands, the

Sub-Committee may recommend to Senate a longer period.

(2) The presentation of the works outlined in regulation 3 shall not be

considered if submitted later than the period allowed in paragraph (1) of this regulation,

unless in special circumstances, on the recommendation of the Board and the Sub-

Committee, Senate grants students an extension of studies of up to two years in order

to enable them to complete their studies, irrespective of whether they are registered

on a full-time or a part-time basis.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this regulation,

in exceptional circumstances, the Senate, on the recommendation of the Board and

the Sub-Committee, may give permission for the presentation of a final concert, the

portfolio of compositions and the dissertation for the Degree after the equivalent of

two years of full-time study or four years of part-time study have expired from the

date of first registration.

Annual Registration

(1) Students are required to enrol at the beginning of each academic year

throughout their period of study.

(2) Such enrolment shall be allowed only on the submission of a satisfactory

progress report from the students’ supervisor.

Submission of Portfolio of Composition/s and Dissertation

(1) Not less than three months before the intended date of submission,

students shall apply to the Board for permission to present the portfolio of composition/s

and the dissertation.

(2) When submitting a portfolio of compositions students shall include a

signed declaration that the portfolio is their own personal work, and that it has been

done after their registration for the Degree.

(3) (a) The dissertation submitted on the subject of the compositions

shall

(i) contain original and significant contributions to knowledge;

(ii) consist of the students’ account of their research; and

(iii) offer evidence of originality and independent reflexive capability.

(b) The dissertation or parts thereof should be of peer-reviewed

publishable quality and must on no account have already been submitted for any

qualification, nor have been published independently by the student, entirely or

substantially.

Submission of Performance Programme and Dissertation

(1) Not less than three months before the proposed final performance date

and the intended date of submission of the dissertation, students shall hand in the

programme details to the Board of Studies and shall apply to the Board for permission

to present the dissertation.

(2) (a) The dissertation submitted on the subject of the final performance

shall

(i) contain original and significant contributions to knowledge;

(ii) consist of the students’ account of their research; and

(iii) offer evidence of originality and independent reflexive capability.

(b) The dissertation or parts thereof should be of peer-reviewed publishable

quality and must on no account have already been submitted for any qualification, nor

have been published independently by the student, entirely or substantially.

Examination of Portfolio of Compositions and Dissertation

The compositions and dissertation presented for the Degree shall be

examined by a Board of Examiners appointed for the purpose by Senate, on the

recommendation of the Board.

The Board of Examiners for the Degree by composition shall be composed

of a Chairman, two internal examiners and one visiting external examiner, provided

that the viva voce examination shall be conducted by at least three members including

the external examiner, and provided that the Principal Supervisor or Co-Supervisor

are precluded from being an examiner. However, the Principal Supervisor shall be

invited to attend as an observer during the viva voce examination. The dissertation

shall be assessed under normal examination conditions.

Students shall defend their portfolio of compositions orally before the

Board of Examiners. The Board of Examiners shall submit a final report to Senate

stating whether the student should be awarded the Degree.

(1) After examining the portfolio of compositions, the Board of Examiners

may refer it back to the student for revision prior to his defending the portfolio and

dissertation.

(2) After the student has completed the required revision, he shall apply to

the Board for permission to submit the revised portfolio for examination. The Board

shall be guided in its decision by the recommendations of the Board of Examiners

but in all cases the revised portfolio shall be submitted for examination within six

months of the portfolio being referred back to the student. Such permission shall be

granted once only.

(3) Students who fail to satisfy the Board of Examiners in the viva

voce examination may, at the discretion of the Board of Examiners and with the

permission of the Board, be re-examined orally within a period of six months. Such

permission shall be granted once only.

(4) If after re-submission of the Portfolio the student fails to satisfy the

Board of Examiners, s/he shall not be admitted for the viva voce examination, and

the Board of Examiners shall recommend to Senate that the Degree be not awarded.

(5) If a student does not satisfy the Board of Examiners that his work has

reached the standard required for the award of the Degree, the Board of Examiners

may recommend to Senate the award of a Master of Music degree.

Examination of Performance Programme and Dissertation

The performance programme and dissertation presented for the Degree

shall be examined by a Board of Examiners appointed for the purpose by Senate, on

the recommendation of the Board.

(1) The Board of Examiners for the three public performances shall be

composed of a chairman and at least two internal examiners.

(2) The Board of Examiners for the final performance and the dissertation

shall include a chairman, at least two internal examiners and one visiting external

examiner, provided that the viva voce examination shall be conducted by at least three

examiners including the external examiner, and provided that the Principal Supervisor

or Co-Supervisor are precluded from being an examiner. However, the Principal

Supervisor shall be invited to attend as an observer during the viva voce examination.

The dissertation shall be assessed under normal examination conditions.

A student shall only be allowed to proceed to the final performance and the

dissertation once s/he has successfully passed in the first three public performances as

indicated in regulation 3 (b) (i).

The dissertation must be examined before the actual final performance

takes place. Clear recordings of the three previous performances and of the final

performance, authenticated by the examiners who were present at the performances,

must be available for the Board of Examiners.

(1) In assessing the dissertation, the Board of Examiners shall submit

an independent prelimary report to the Chairman of the Board of Examiners, either

approving the dissertation unconditionally or subject to the correction of minor errors

to the satisfaction of the Chairman of the Board, concurrently admitting the student

to the final performance and viva voce examination.

(2) If the Board of Examiners is not satisfied with the quality of the

dissertation, it shall not admit the student to the final performance and viva voce

examination and shall refer the dissertation back to the student for major revisions

and resubmission within six months. The student shall not be admitted to the final

performance and viva voce examination unless, after resubmission, the dissertation

has been approved by the Board of Examiners.

(1) In assessing the final performance, the Board of Examiners shall

approve individually the final performance, concurrently admitting the student to the

viva voce examination.

(2) If the Board of Examiners is not satisfied with the quality of the final

performance, it shall not admit the student to the viva voce examination, and shall

recommend that the student be allowed to repeat the final performance and be re-

examined on one further occasion through a viva voce examination, by a specified

date. Admittance, or otherwise, to the viva voce examination shall be communicated

to the student, in writing, on the day of the final performance.

(3) In the case of paragraph (2), all members of the Board of Examiners

shall submit an individual independent report to the Chairman of the Board of

Examiners. The Chairman shall draw up a final report, disapproving the final

performance, and concurrently recommending that the student be permitted to repeat

the final performance and be re-examined on one further occasion with a viva voce

examination, by a specified date.

(4) If after the second attempt the student fails the final performance, s/he

shall not be admitted for the viva voce examination, and the Board of Examiners shall

recommend to Senate that the Degree be not awarded.

(5) Students who fail to satisfy the Board of Examiners in the viva voce

examination may, at the discretion of the Board of Examiners and with the permission

of the Board, be re-examined orally within a period of six months. Such permission

shall be granted once.

(6) If a student does not satisfy the Board of Examiners that his/her work

has reached the standard required for the award of the Degree, the Board of Examiners

may recommend to Senate the award of a Master of Music degree.

Dissertation Format and Presentation

(1) For the Degree by composition, students shall be required to submit

copies of the original portfolio of works that shall be presented on regular A3 music

sheets with each work separately soft-bound. The dissertation shall be of not less

than 25,000 and not more than 30,000 words, exclusive of notes, bibliography, and

appendices.

(2) For the Degree by performance, students shall be required to submit

the programme notes and a dissertation that shall be in the standard document format

and shall be of not less than 25,000 and not more than 30,000 words in length,

exclusive of notes, bibliography, and appendices.

Students shall submit copies for all members of the Board of Examiners.

After the portfolio, programme notes and dissertation are approved, the

student shall submit them in hard-bound form within not more than six weeks from

the viva voce examination.

Any expenses related to the performances and the portfolio of compositions

shall be borne by the student.

General Provision

In matters not provided for by these regulations, the Board shall be

guided by the provisions of the Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. - Degree Regulations,

2008, published as Legal Notice 293 of 2008, as applicable.

Repeal

The Doctor of Music - D.Mus. - and Master of Music - M.Mus. - Degrees

Course Regulations, 2003, published as Legal Notice 185 of 2003, shall be deemed

to cease to be in force as from 1st October, 2013, provided that students registered for

this degree before 1st October, 2013 shall continue to be governed by the regulations

that were in force at the time of their joining the course.

€0.72