Donald Ryder - University of Tennessee - Knoxville, Knoxville, TN

Professor: Donald Ryder

Department: Music

College: University of Tennessee - Knoxville, Knoxville, TN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MUEN359
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This marching band is one of the most respected in the nation and it shows by how the director, Dr. Donald Ryder, runs this program. He knows what kind of sound a marching band needs and he has high expectations for all his students. Be prepared to work, but the work is enjoyable when done correctly. I enjoy this course greatly.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MUEN350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Ryder is very good at what he does, and it shows. He pushes everyone in the Pride to be the absolute best and doesn't accept anything less. He's very into tradition here at UTK, and wants to keep it special. You will work extremely hard in the Pride, but the payoff is extremely rewarding.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MUEN359
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I had Dr. Ryder while in the Pride and in symphonic band. Though I was terrified he would call me out every day, I don't dislike him. He knows what he is talking about and genuinely wants his students to succeed. His Ryderisms are HI-LAR-I-OUS. Best part of his class. He is also nice and helpful if you speak to him outside of class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Pretty good marching band teacher. Sometimes his "analogies" do not make any sense, whatsoever.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MUSEN352
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Terrible band director when dealing with competent musicians. Knows how to make a high school band sound good but uses same tricks with collegiate ensembles. Makes everything sound like a marching band. If you like "forte-piano-crescendo"'s on every long note and cutting every note-value in half, this is the director for you.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MARCHBAND
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

hope you like analogies b/c he does. "have you ever been stabbed?"

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC359
• 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:

Granted, he's not the most conventional communicator but he knows how to get his point across, as well as how to get a laugh. Is more than worth taking if you're willing to work hard, and the results speak for themselves.

Rating # 8

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I hated symphonic band, dr ryder was not a good teacher and he talked so hard and loud he sprayed spit all over the front row, which I was in. Don't be in band at UT!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MARCHBAND
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He does a great job with the marching band. If you want to move up in the organization, you will have to make yourself known to him often. Not much to it.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC359
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

i dont understand how people say hes no a good leader. sure, he cant put a sentence together usually, but thats okay. does a great job at motivating/inspiring, and, though this is only my freshman year, did not cuss us out.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MARCHINGBAND
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Never understood a word the man said unless he or Sousa was cussing us out. Horrid leader...

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CONDUCTING
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Ryder has an ungodly knowledge of pedagogy, and is EXTREMELY helpful to anyone who needs outside help. I don't think that anyone who only had Dr. Ryder for marching band is qualified to post anything about him.

Rating # 13

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Dr. Ryder cares about whether his students learn or not. His knowledge of the concert band in general is profound as well. He deserves admirable recognition

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SYMPHONICBAND
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

dido

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BAND
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Ryder won an award for being "best high school band director in the country." Well, now I'd say that UT has the best high school band in the SEC. Being good at high school band does not automatically mean one is good at college band. - Someone needs to park a ryder truck in front of his house and see if he gets the picture.

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Incapable of human communication. Thinks he is God's gift to the program.

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

YOUR PHONING IT IN. STOP IT!!!! DONT PHONE IT IN TRUMPETS!! I loved his ryderisms the most though.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

knows his music BUT CANT COMMUNICATE TO ANYONE!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC358
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MUS352
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Ryderisms are the best!!!