Joseph Downing - Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Professor: Joseph Downing

Department: Music

College: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MTC147
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Downing does not provide a healthy learning environment whatsoever. He is a tough grader and will push you beyond your limits. Outside of the classroom he is very different than inside and he does have a lot of knowledge, but that does not excuse how he treats people when they're "under his control." For a 1 credit class, he needs to change.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MTC146
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Comes off as auper tough grader and kinda terrified me at first, but once you get to know him hes truly a great guy and very valued in the school of music

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MTC147
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Downing definitely pushes you to your limits at times and there were moments where I felt terrible about music, but overall he is one of the wisest and most valuable professors you will experience at Setnor. Take advantage of his knowledge as he puts little by little over the semester. His class definitely made me a better musician

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MTC147
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Wow this class kills you, which is ridiculous considering that is is only 1 credit. Downing is easily the smartest human being teaching at Setnor, so you'll wanna soak in his knowledge but, boy, can I just stress how much anxiety this class will give you. You will spend more hours in the practice room for this class than you would for your lesson.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MTC146
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

By far one of the greatest teachers I have ever had. He is hard as hell to please,and you need to put a TON of work in to succeed, even if eartraining comes naturally. His teaching methods are terrifying and involve a lot of random pop quizzes you must perform in front the class. This gave me a lot of anxiety- but also ensured that I knew my stuff!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MTC147
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Ear Training with Dr. Downing was the hardest class I've taken to date. You will not pass if you don't put in the work. However, it is worth it to put in the work. Some may call Dr. Downing's teaching style intimidating and stressful, but it's effective. I would definitely not be the musician I am now if Dr. Downing hadn't pushed me to be my best.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MTC147
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He has his favorites, and he has those he ignores. I felt like my experience at SU with him were intimidating, but not helpful or enlightening. Teachers need to teach and inspire, not scare and show off. Have had much better ear training teachers after leaving this university!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MTC147
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Downing is HARD, but he is a brilliant man. I don't find his expectations or grading fair--you can't teach someone to just HEAR a note or interval, no matter how hard you try. I don't like the fact that this class seems much easier and more useful for vocalists... I'll never walk into an audition and sight sing solfege, I promise.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MTC147
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I'm surprised to see so many positive comments on here. I took Ear Training I with him last year and I did not care for him at all. I found his standards and grading system to be extremely unfair and objective. I felt completely intimidated and uncomfortable the entire semester. Not the best learning environment in my opinion.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MTC146
• 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:

Best teacher I've ever had

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MTC147
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Terrifying, challenging, AMAZING class. Honestly, it changed my life and how I work with music. Dr. Downing is awe-inspiring.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MTCSECT
• 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:

Really difficult, but a fantastic professor

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MTC147
• 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:

In general, people HATE his classes because they're really challenging, yet they love him. That's the sign of a great teacher right there. His standards are sky high. As such, the grades are very padded (I think 85% is an A) and you end up learning more anyway. He's a fun guy and tells interesting stories in class along with about a joke per class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MTC248
• 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:

Probably one of the best teachers I have ever had. Understands the material extremely well and will go out of his way to help a student in need. The class helped a ton, and it was a great experience.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MTC535
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Tends to be tangential: dwells on his personal experiences/success rather than tell useful anecdotes from range of sources (e.g. "when I was in the Toronto youth symphony..." vs. "When Mozart's Requiem was premiered..."). Most students find this amusing. Likes to give random factoids which are, often enough, false.

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Scariest class ever...but also the best, and he's a great guy, as well. Definitely one of the best educators I've ever met.

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

One of the best professors in the SU school of music. Knows his stuff, teaches it well, and keeps things interesting. Very demanding... sets high standards, but you come away with a solid understanding of the course material.

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Absolutely awesome teacher--very demanding but is top rate