James Ball - Albion College, Albion, MI

Professor: James Ball

Department: Music

College: Albion College, Albion, MI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: FYE101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is an amazing guy. He is very understanding and by far the best professor on campus. He gives great feedback on papers. During lectures, he makes it fun. Participation is very important in this class. If you don't participate, don't expect an A. Encourages his students to achieve the best. He is like the grandpa I never had.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MUS145
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Jazz Band, Evolution of Jazz, Conducting, Orchestra, or whatever, he's happy to help and willing to take student input. Honestly, just don't be a jackass in class, show up and don't fall asleep, and you're golden. You can learn a lot from this man, so be respectful and keep your ears open.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: JAZZBAND
• 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:

Yeah, he can be a jerk and demanding, but if you put in the work and don't b--ch about it, you'll be fine. If you have a problem with the music--TALK TO HIM. He loves to help his students, but I feel like so many are intimidated by him. He just wants the best out of his students--so don't suck.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MUS125
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Even though he gets a bad wrap, he really isn't all that strict. He expects attendance and preparation, just like any other professor. As long as you show up to rehearsals and spend some time practicing you'll do fine and get along with him. He's not asking much, since this is a class and attendance and participation count in any class you'll take.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MUS125
• 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:

Ball is a great guy and he's funny. As a teacher he is sort of strict. He puts a big emphasis on attendance which sucks because orchestra is 5:00-6:30p which is dinner time. Over all he's cool though.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ORCH105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is by far the worst conductor I have ever had, terrible conducting, terrible ear to problem spots in music, not helpful, grunts while he conducting, can't count, isn't clear in where he wants you to start back up, not understanding when you are sick and can't make it to rehearsal, not understand when trying to make appointments with grad schools

Rating # 7

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

DB is one of the most inspirational profs at Albion - just make sure you're willing to work hard and give respect where it is due

Rating # 8

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Any way you cut it, it's gonna be a love hate relationship w/ DB but give him a chance. He really is a good person who really does want you to succeed he just also has the unfortunate tendancy to have no impulse control.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ORCH
• 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:

No Comments

Rating # 10

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ORCHESTRA
• 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:

good conductor. not mean. makes jokes. reminds me of the best orchestra teacher i've ever had............

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ORCHESTRA
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: JAZZENSEMBLE
• 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:

No Comments

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: INSTCONDUCTING
• 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:

He was very helpful and interested in improving student skills

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ORCHESTRA
• 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:

very good conductor

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Ball's great, as long as you at least spend a little time practicing, you should be fine. With what little we have he can make us sound great

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I think DB's a great musician and conductor. Yeah, he can get frustrated and speakes his mind sometimes, but I know he just wants us to be excellent musicians who have pride in what we do. Overall, he gets a thumbs up. :-)

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Dr. Ball needs anger management. He has pride in his ensembles, but he is a hot head and he also needs to attend some sort of classes about harrassment. He also seems **** and demeaning to women. If you are a brown noser--you're good, but he doesn't give the normal people a break.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ORCHJAZZBAND
• 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. Ball really knows his stuff. He has a different style for orchestra and jazz band and they both work great. Not friendly to people who want to blow things off. He expects effort in the classroom and onstage but it's worth it.

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Great guy, treats you like an equal. Challenges you as well to learn the music. If you don't want to practice, then don't join orchestra; it's only for people who really want to make music