David Devenney - West Chester University of Pennsylvania, West Chester, PA

Professor: David Devenney

Department: Music

College: West Chester University of Pennsylvania, West Chester, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHO212
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I had Dr. DeVenney for Womens Choir this year. A few survival tips: show up, sit down, dont speak, never miss his class and do what he asks and maybe youll survive. Im terrified of him. He is very intimidating and will scream at you. He knows what hes talking about and is good at what he does, but is very mean.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHO212
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Devenney will get the sound he wants out of you, come hell or high water. If you can look past the extremely intimidating exterior he maintains, he's a calm and collected guy, and it's very easy to see why he's one of the most respected (and feared) people in the School of Music. Take him whenever you can.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: AME101
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Do not get me wrong, he is a GOOD director and demands perfection but he's prone to snap if he sees or hears what he doesn't like (e.g. sitting with your legs crossed or vowels). He's okay but to be honest, I didn't last long with him in choir. Anyone taking choir one day, be warned: He will call you out!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHO212
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the scariest men I've ever encountered, and I'll steer clear of him when I can in the future. He definitely knows what he's doing, but he doesn't take any crap and will 100% CALL YOU OUT. He's loved by *many* who can handle his temper and feared by the rest.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHO412
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Where to begin...Dr. DeVenney has inspired me to strive for a new level of performing. He is the most demanding instructor I have ever encountered, and I couldn't be more thankful for it. You need to work every single day, but it is worth it. As harsh as he can be, he is truly a wonderful person cares deeply for his students!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHO140
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

David P. DeVenney is undoubtedly the biggest selling point for the SOM in regards to faculty members and their accomplishments. He is an extraordinarily talented man who inspires hard work and appreciation of music in his students by cultivating an atmosphere of dedicated practice, music making, and prior research. Expect to work. Love this man.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHO211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I have Dr. DeVenney for Men's Chorus right now. While he may seem like a very strict director, he truly wants us to sound good, and he'll get the sound he wants out of us, come hell or high water.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHO212
• 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:

he snaps all the time, but i think he means well deep down. he wants us to do well. he's very clear about what he wants.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHO412
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You will never learn more or be more influenced as a musician, than when you take a class with Dr. DeVenney.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: VOC311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Wonderful in every way. TAKE ANY CLASS YOU CAN WITH HIM

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHO212
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

GREAT TEACHER! He knows what he's doing, and his voice is absolutely AMAZING!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MUSICMANY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

brilliant. took him for various courses, each a joy. he knows his stuff and cares for his students as much as a self-loathing 'mo can. also one of the most comically self-deprecating people ever. i'll take a shot of whiskey in his name any day!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I love this man

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHO412
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. DeVenney made Concert Choir awesome, he is the best conductor I have ever had the priviledge of working under. Choral Conducting II was crazy hard with some of the things we had to conduct, but I learned a lot. I recommend any class taught by Dr. DeVenney. The musical class was amazing as well. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHO311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

There can't be enough good things said about him. He has his goals for the choir, and achieves them. He is succinct, and can come across as rude, but his brusqueness accomplishes things. Funny, extremely knowledgeable, talented, and friendly.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHO412
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The BEST choir director I've ever had. One of the most talented and intelligent people I've ever met. I can rave about him forever.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHOR6464
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took Choral Conducting 2 as a trumpet major. It was the only class where I learned how to tear apart a score, conduct it, and teach it. IMAGINE! I use his methods still to this day, and I graduated WCU in 2001. His advanced conducting classes should be taken by all instrumental majors. He is a wealth of knowledge. Get past his quirks and learn.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHOR6464
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took Choral Conducting 2 as a trumpet major. It was the only class where I learned how to tear apart a score, conduct it, and teach it. IMAGINE! I use his methods still to this day, and I graduated WCU in 2001. His advanced conducting classes should be taken by all instrumental majors. He is a wealth of knowledge. Get past his quirks and learn.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHO211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Devenney is, again, very biased towards music majors, whether or not they sound good. However, he does have very good musicianship skills, and his voice is pretty good as well. Would recommend him more than the other music professors.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHO9999
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

An excellent musician and gifted teacher. It must have been a difficult transition taking over for a very popular director, but he would never have said it. I learned an incredible amount from him, and thoroughly enjoyed it. WCU is lucky to have him.