Carl Donakowski - James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Professor: Carl Donakowski

Department: Music

College: James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MUAP350
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. D is definitely my favorite professor (and overall human) at JMU! Genuinely wants his students to learn and grow as musicians and individuals. He is supportive and always there for you, no matter what. In my chamber group, I was challenged with tough repertoire, but we learned so much as a cohesive group. MUAP350 is my favorite class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GMUS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Not a very interesting class... tests aren't too bad but you definitely need to take notes to do well. Mandatory attendance. The good thing is he is willing to work with you in regards to say... turning in concert reports... 3 weeks late :) If you like Beethoven & Stravinsky take him... otherwise, you might want to find another class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GMUS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

nice guy. TERRIBLE CLASS. avoid it at all costs.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GMUS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Is a prof you need to discuss the class with at office hours. He knows his material. If you don't have a musical background then take that into consideration with his class. Imagine going to a French class that only involved French speaking and you had no knowledge of the language. Would you blame the teacher? Grow up and get beyond the easy grade.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MUS143
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Not a bad professor, but a very dull man, takes off for random reasons based on his favorite students. Try to avoid him for ear-training unless you are already incredibly gifted.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GMUS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I really have no interest in classical music, but I think CD made me a little bit more involve. The class was fairly easy and straight forward. The tests are straight out from the book and multiple choice. I think I feel sleep four times in class and study for half an hour before each test. Still walked out with a B+, not bad for a GenEd

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GMUS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

i had no experience in classical music before taking this course. he expects you to have known a lot of the material before taking the class and he teaches you as though you should. his tests cover lecture and book and they're hard. his lectures are extremely boring. if you were interested in the subject you wouldn't be after 1 class

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MUS143
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Dr. Donakowski without a doubt knows what he's talking about, it would be more helpful if he added some life to the class. At some points it seemed like he would single out students and have them pretty much embarrass themselves.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MUAP317
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Best teacher I have every had the pleasure of working with. He comes from a prestigious family and was taught by Janos Starker himself. He knows how to tell you exactly what to do to get better at the cello or anything else you aspire to do.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GMUS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Probably the most boring teacher i ever had. and i got screwed because he lost my one concert report and he has not returned my email...

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GMUS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Love Carl! <3 He's such a nice guy, and people really hate on him too much. He's so sweet and he really does just want to help you. GMUS was mega easy with him. All you have to do is read the book.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GMUS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Most boring class i've ever had, tests are impossible (the first class average was a D) and you'll fall asleep everytime you go. Doesn't take attendance, but way too hard for a gened music class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GMUS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Donakowski is a very boring teacher and loves his cello. Most of the class never showed up and when they did, they just fell asleep. His quizzes are easy however his tests are not. I didn't have a final but I had to attend 3 concerts. You do need to pay attention to do well on the tests. He's not a horrible teacher but not a great one either.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GMUS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I know everyone's hatin on carl, but i kinda like him in his own boring way. He definitely rambles on and will bore you, but if you can sit through his class and take good notes, this class is a breeze. I barely studied for both tests and got As on both of him. And in an unusual way he is kinda funny. TAKE HIM! EASY A!!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GMUS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I would not recommend taking him for GMUS. He is extremely boring and I found myself falling asleep almost every class. His tests are pretty hard, but quizzes are easy and there is A LOT of reading. Overall, it is really hard to get an A in this class. I came into it thinking music would be easy, but it defintely isn't.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GMUS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

dull lectures.the only thing that woke me up was the obnoxiously loud listening examples which still annoyed me.he says a funny joke here &there.impossible tests no matter how hard you study. no one wanted to be there i felt bad for him.he knows alot he could tell you the life story of any musician unless you're interested in that i don't recommend

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GMUS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

so here's the low down. he will bore you to tears. my best advice, i had an A. don't go to class, you'll just fall asleep or hate your life. have a buddy that goes to class make sure to tell you if he's changing the syllabus at all. check blackboard periodically to make sure you know when quizzes are, teach yourself with the book, it's easier.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MUS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

really nice guy. if you want to pass do one of two things: read the book, or go to class. if you want an A do both (you don't have too much to read anyways). overall pretty easy. memorizing all the music can get boring if you don't like classical. i'd suggest taking him. sometimes he makes jokes that are decently funny.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MUS141
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

donakowski is hilarious, if you go for dry humor, and want to get a kick out of it, take him! i had him for eartraining freshman year and he's really helpful even ifyou have no clue. I never took him for gmus but take him for ear training! also he doesn't take attendance.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: EARTRAI
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

D-Kow is an awesome ear training teacher. I was really sad that I couldn't take his class second semester. He tries really hard to help each individual student, and doesn't hesitate to work with one person for a long time. Yeah he's awkward, but he also makes great jokes. Not to mention he's got that sexy tortured musician look going on :D.