A personal reflection on completing my Doctor of Musical Arts at Boston University—three years of balancing ensembles, coursework, performances, and growth.
A Unique Challenge for Wind Players
Completing a DMA at Boston University is demanding for everyone, but for wind players, it can be particularly intense. BU has two large ensembles: the Boston University Symphony Orchestra and the Boston University Wind Ensemble. The orchestra rehearses on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; the wind ensemble rehearses on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
As a wind DMA student, you’re expected to participate in both, especially during your first two years when they’re required for credit. This means: daily rehearsals, in addition to academic and performance requirements that are the same for all DMA students—strings, piano, or winds alike.
Now consider this: each ensemble course counts for only one credit per semester, but you still need to complete 48 credits to graduate. So while your schedule is packed with rehearsals, you still need to fit in all your academic coursework. It’s an exhausting but eye-opening experience in time management and endurance.
The Academic Milestones
BU’s DMA program is rigorous, yet structured. After coursework, you must pass six qualifying exams:
- Four in theory: Choral, Skills, Tonal, and Atonal
- One in musicology
- One in your major area
I’m proud to share that I passed all six exams on my first attempt, including the oral exam, which followed soon after.
In your second year, you choose one of two tracks:
- Recital Track: Five themed recitals (solo, concerto, chamber, self-prepared, and lecture) and a short graduation dissertation.
- Dissertation Track: Three recitals and a more substantial dissertation project.
Either path leads to graduation—but both require not only musical skill, but also careful planning and discipline.
Beyond Survival: Managing Multiple Responsibilities
In my own experience, I didn’t find the coursework or qualifying exams particularly “hard” in a traditional sense—but they were designed to be selective. The most difficult part was managing time during the first two years. Daily ensemble rehearsals fragmented my schedule, yet I had to prepare for exams, complete coursework, and meet recital requirements.
At the same time, I was actively performing outside of school, teaching students, and even participating in competitions. During these three years, I won two major competitions at BU, maintained ongoing teaching commitments, and performed frequently in the Boston area.
This experience taught me how to juggle multiple high-level responsibilities without sacrificing quality. That’s perhaps the most valuable lesson I took away from BU: not just how to play or teach better, but how to sustain excellence under pressure.
Why BU Was Worth It
Boston itself is an inspiring place to study music. The city is rich with opportunities—if you’re willing to explore. Student tickets for Boston Symphony Orchestra performances are available almost every week, which means you’re constantly surrounded by world-class artistry.
The faculty at BU are equally impressive—Competitions-winning artists, members of the BSO, even players from the New York Philharmonic. Chamber music coaching was a particular highlight for me: every semester, I had the chance to work with different faculty, each bringing new ideas and interpretations that deeply shaped my musicianship.
Many of my classes left me feeling transformed—not just technically, but artistically. The intellectual and musical stimulation was constant and rewarding.
Final Thoughts
I completed the program in just three years—the shortest time possible. Looking back, if I had to sum up the experience in one sentence, it would be:
“It was exhausting… but not impossible.”
BU didn’t just give me a degree. It gave me the tools to navigate a complex professional life—balancing performance, teaching, learning, and leading. I’ll always be grateful for this chapter in my journey.