DOCTOR OF MUSIC - D. MUS. - DEGREE COURSE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS REGULATIONS

DOCTOR OF MUSIC - D.Mus.

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.235

DOCTOR OF MUSIC - D. MUS. - DEGREE COURSE

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE SCHOOL OF

PERFORMING ARTS REGULATIONS

28th March, 2014

LEGAL NOTICE 95 of 2014, as amended by Legal Notice 268 of 201,

and 304 of 2017.

(1) These regulations may be cited as the Doctor of Music –

D.Mus. - Degree Course Regulations, 2017, under the auspices of

the School of Performing Arts.

(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 appointed for

the Degree;

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

“the Ph.D. Committee” means the Ph.D. Committee appointed by

Senate in terms of the Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. - Degree

Regulations, 2008; and

“the School” means the School of Performing Arts.

These regulations shall be applicable from 1st October,

2017 onwards.

The Degree shall be awarded to students who satisfy all the

criteria in any one of the following areas of specialization

(a) Composition: successfully present a portfolio of

compositions and give two public lectures/presentations

based on ongoing work included in the portfolio of

compositions, and submit a dissertation followed by a viva

voce examination, as follows

(i) the two public lectures/presentations based on the

portfolio of compositions shall be held one in each of

the first and second years of the programme of full-

time study or, in the case of part-time study, in the

second and fourth years of the programme. The

lectures/presentations shall be examined by an

internal board of examiners. Students are required to

obtain a pass both presentations in order to be able to

proceed to the submission of the portfolio and the

dissertation;

(ii) the portfolio shall consist of new and original

compositions in different genres which may include

vocal, ensemble, and orchestral works;

(iii) the writing of a dissertation that shall refer mainly to

the portfolio of compositions; and

DOCTOR OF MUSIC - D.Mus.

(iv) the viva voce examination.

(b) Performance: successfully present three public

performances, and a dissertation, followed by a viva voce

examination, as follows

(i) the three public performances shall consist of 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. Students shall perform the

above in any order, provided that the final

performance consists of either the solo recital or the

concerto (or equivalent major work/s) with orchestra.

Two of these public performances shall be held in

the first and second year of the programme of study

respectively (one in each year). Students are required

to obtain a pass in both performances in order to be

able to proceed to the final performance and the

submission of the dissertation;

(ii) the dissertation shall refer mainly to the final

performance and its programme; and

(iii) the viva voce examination, which shall be held after

the final performance and the dissertation.

The Ph.D. 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, following

advice from the Board.

(1) The Board shall recommend to Senate the

appointment of a School Doctoral Committee, in terms of the

Doctor of Philoso ph y – Ph .D. – Degree Regu latio ns, 200 8,

composed of 3 - 5 members, including the Director or his delegate,

who shall chair the Committee, the other members being normally

heads of department. The School Doctoral Committee may co-opt

other members if deemed necessary.

(2) The School Doctoral Committee shall consider

applications for the Degree as well as the progress of students in

their research work, provided that it shall meet at least once a year

to review the progress of each student.

(3) Principal Supervisors and Co-supervisors shall be required

to submit a written report to the Board, thr ough the School

Doctoral Committee, every June for every student under their

supervision.

(4) Students shall only be allowed to proceed with their studies

subject to satisfactory progress reports from their Principal

Supervisor and Co-Supervisor. If the report is negative, the Board

shall make recommendations to Senate on the student’s continuing

registration for the Degree.

Applications for registration for the Degree shall be

accepted by Senate, on the recommendations of the Board and of

DOCTOR OF MUSIC - D.Mus.

the Ph.D. Committee.

(1) The Ph.D. Committee shall consider applications for

the Degree from applicants who possess a Master of Music or a

Master of Art s deg ree in mu sic award ed b y th is o r an oth er

university, or qualifications of comparable standard recognised for

this purpose by the Senate, or exceptionally extensive professional

experience. Applicants may be asked to sit for an audition and an

interview held by the School Doctoral Committee in the presence

of the applicants’ designated Principal Supervisor.

(2)

Applications for the Degree shall include the following

(a) the proposed title of the dissertation;

(b) a detailed research proposal, normally of approximately

1000 words, that specifies the compositional genres, tools

and techniques in the case of the Degree in Composition,

and the repertoire and performance practices in the case of

the Degree in Performance;

(c) for the Degree in Composition, 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 proposed Principal Supervisor

that the topic of research is acceptable.

(3) The Ph.D. 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.

(1) (a) Studies for the Degree in Composition shall

extend over three years of full-time study or six years of part-time

study; and

(b) Studies for the Degree in Performance shall extend over

three years of full-time study. Applicants who are engaged

in full-time employment as professional performer-

musicians may be allowed to register on a full-time basis

by Senate on the recommendation of the Board.

(2) If the nature of the proposed research so demands, the

Ph.D. Committee may recommend to Senate a longer period.

(3)

The presentation of the work accomplished by the student

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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 Ph.D. 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.

(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.

(1) For the Degree in Composition, the work on the

dissertation shall normally start in the first year of study, and shall

be of not less than 30,000 and not more than 35,000 words in

length, exclusive of notes, bibliography and appendices, and shall

(i)

contain original and significant contributions to

knowledge;

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

(iii) offer evidence of originality and independent

reflexive analytical capability; and

(iv) show a good level of competencies in compositional

and vocal techniques, orchestration, and other

technical considerations.

(2) 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.

(3) 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.

(4) 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.

(1) For the Degree in Performance, the work on the

dissertation shall normally start in the first year of study, and shall

be of not less than 30,000 and not more than 35,000 words in

length, exclusive of notes, bibliography and appendices, and 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 analytical capability.

(2) Not less than three months before the intended date of

submission, students shall apply to the Board for permission to

present the dissertation.

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

reviewed publishable quality and must on no account have already

DOCTOR OF MUSIC - D.Mus.

been submitted for any qualification, nor have been published

independently by the student, entirely or substantially.

The compositions and dissertation presented for the Degree

in Composition shall be examined by a Board of Examiners

appointed for the purpose by Senate, on the recommendation of the

Board.

(1) The Boards of Examiners for the two public lectures/

presentations shall be composed of a chairman and at least two

internal examiners.

(2) The Board of Examiners for the portfolio of compositions,

dissertation and viva voce examination shall be composed of a

Chairman, two internal examiners and one visiting external

examiner, prov id ed that the viva voce exam in ation shall be

conducted by at least three mem bers including the extern al

exam iner. T he dissertation shall be examined under norm al

examination conditions.

(3) The Principal Supervisor and any Co-supervisor are

p r e c l u d e d f r o m b e i n g e x a m i n e r s . H o w e v e r, t h e P r i n c i p a l

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

voce examination.

The student shall defend the portfolio of compositions and

dissertation 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 and

dissertation, the Board of Examiners may either refer the portfolio

and/or dissertation back to the student for revision prior to the viva

voce examination or allow the student to proceed to defend the

portfolio and dissertation orally.

(2) When the student has completed the required revisions, he

s hall r esu bm it th e r evis ed p or tf ol io an d/o r di sser tatio n f or

examination. The Board shall be guided in its decision by the

recommendations of the Board of Examiners but in all cases the

rev is ed p ortfolio and /o r dissertation sh all be sub mitted for

examination within six months from the date of referral. Such

permission shall be granted once only.

(3) If after re-submission of the portfolio and/or dissertation

the student fails to satisfy the Board of Examiners, 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, and

instead may recommend the award of a Master of Music degree.

(4) The student shall only be admitted to the viva voce

examination once both the portfolio and dissertation have been

examined and approved by the Board of Examiners.

(5) Admittance, or otherwise, to the viva voce examination

shall be communicated to the student in writing.

(6) 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.

DOCTOR OF MUSIC - D.Mus.

(7) 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 shall recommend to Senate that the

Degree be not awarded, and instead may recommend the award of a

Master of Music degree.

The performance and dissertation presented for the Degree

in Performance shall be exam ined by a Board of Examiners

appointed for the purpose by Senate, on the recommendation of the

Board.

(1) The Board of Examiners for the first two public

performances shall be composed of a chairman and at least two

internal examiners.

(2) The Board of Examiners for the final performance,

dissertation and viva voce examination shall include a chairman, at

least two internal examiners and a visiting external examiner, while

the viva voce examination shall be conducted by at least three

examiners including the external examiner. The dissertation shall

be examined under normal examination conditions.

(3) The Principal Supervisor or Co-supervisor are precluded

from being examiners. However, the Principal Supervisor shall be

invited to attend as observer during the viva voce examination.

Students shall only be allowed to proceed to the final

performance and the submission of the dissertation once they have

successfully passed the first two public performances, with the

possibility of one reassessment for only one of the first two

performances.

High quality audio-visual recordings of the first two

performances, authenticated by the examiners, and of the final

perfor mance, must be available to the Board of E xam iners.

Students shall be required to provide original programme notes for

all public performances.

The dissertation may be examined before or after the final

performance. In examining the dissertation, each examiner shall

submit an independent preliminary 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, or as indicated in

regulation 21.

If the Board of Examiners is not satisfied with the quality

of the dissertation, it shall refer the dissertation back to the student

for major revisions and resubmission within six months.

(1) If the Board of Examiners is not satisfied with the

quality of the final performance, it shall recommend that the

student be allowed to repeat the final performance.

(2) In this case, all members of the Board of Examiners shall

submit an individual independent report to the Chairman of the

Board of Examiners who shall draw up a report, disapproving the

final performance, and concurrently recommending that the student

be permitted to repeat the final performance by a specified date

(3) If after the second attempt the student fails the final

performance, he shall not be admitted for the viva voce

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examination, and the Board of Examiners shall recommend to

Senate that the Degree be not awarded, and instead may

recommend the award of a Master of Music degree.

(1) The student shall only be admitted to the viva voce

examination once both the final performance and dissertation have

been examined and approved by the Board of Examiners.

(2) Admittance, or otherwise, to the viva voce examination

shall be communicated to the student in writing.

(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 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 shall recommend to Senate that the

Degree be not awarded, and instead may recommend to Senate the

award of a Master of Music degree.

(1) For the Degree in Composition, students shall be

required to submit copies of the original portfolio of works that

s hall be pres ent ed on regu lar music sh eets with each work

separately soft-bound and a dissertation that shall be in the standard

document format.

(2) For the Degree in Performance, students shall be

required to submit the programme notes and a dissertation that shall

be in the standard document format.

Students shall submit a copy of the portfolio (in the case of

composition students) and dissertation (for both composition and

performance) to all members of the Board of Examiners.

(1) After the portfolio, programme notes and dissertation

are approved, the student shall submit them in hard-bound form,

and in an electronic version which will be kept at the University

Library, within not more than six weeks from the viva voce

examination.

(2) In line with the University of Malta’s Institutional

Repository Policy, the University Library shall provide in open

access the electronic copies of the dissertation and the other

documents presented towards the Degree and shall make them

publicly available on the University of Malta’s Institutional

Repository.

Any expenses related to the performances, recordings,

lectures/presentations and the portfolio of compositions shall be

borne by the student.

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.