The dissertation council based at the Gnesin Russian Academy of Music has existed since 1994. Until 2000, it was authorized to accept candidate dissertations for defense in the field of 17.00.02 Musical Art. In 2001, the council was also granted the right to accept doctoral dissertations in the same field. Currently, the dissertation council D 210.012.01, established at the Federal State Budget Educational Institution of Higher Education "Gnesin Russian Academy of Music" of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, operates on the basis of the Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia dated May 2, 2012, No. 184/nk.
The dissertation council functions in accordance with the Regulation on the dissertation defense council, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia dated November 10, 2017, No. 1093, and the Regulation on the awarding of academic degrees, approved by the Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation dated September 24, 2013, No. 842 (as amended on October 1, 2018, No. 1168).
The number of dissertations defended during the council's entire operation approaches 300. Their topics are very diverse and cover current issues in virtually all areas of musical art: the history and theory of Russian and foreign music from different eras, the history of performance art, folklore studies, musical psychology, and more. All dissertations are characterized by innovative approaches and results. Many of them were recommended for publication based on the results of their defense.
The working style of the council is characterized by:
- High standards for the preliminary examination of dissertations, conducted in accordance with the regulatory documents of the Higher Attestation Commission (VAK);
- A conducive atmosphere for discussion during the defense process;
- Active participation of its members, who fulfill their duties on a voluntary basis;
- Competent management of extensive and diverse documentation.