Katherine Preston - College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Professor: Katherine Preston

Department: Music

College: College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MUSC213
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I have taken two classes with her, MUSC 213 and a COLL 150 (American Musical Theatre). She grades harshly and is rude. She does not give constructive criticism, nor does she articulate the information she presents nor fundamentals of music concepts very well. I do NOT recommend taking any class with her unless you are obsessed with the subject.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MUSC150W
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Took this class for my freshman seminar. Piano in the 19th century sounded boring but we learned a lot of neat stuff. I had no music background and she encouraged me to stay in the class. She was always ready to help. Just go to class, and do the assignments. I would love to take another class with her and I'm not a music major.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MUSC150W
• 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:

DO NOT TAKE UNLESS YOU ARE OBSESSED WITH THE SUBJECT. It got boring quickly, even though I love the piano as an instrument. It's true, I could've taken a more active role in doing the readings and participating in class, but even had I done those things I still wouldn't have succeeded. Her paper expectations are completely unrealistic and unclear.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MUSC363
• 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:

If you ever have a chance, take Music of the Civil War! Professor Preston is THE expert in this field (she is regularly cited in the essays you read) but not cocky about it. You don't need any musical background to enjoy this class. Professor Preston really wants everyone to understand, and she is incredibly helpful with research.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: AMST360
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Yes, she knows a lot and she is passionate. But all that translates into is an unrealistic expectation of her students. Her grading is completely inconsistent, and she is too scrambled to remember anything you talk to her about. DO NOT TAKE A CLASS WITH HER unless you are super passionate about the subject. And by passionate, I mean it is your life

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MUSC213
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

As long as you pay attention in class and study, you will do really well. She's incredibly knowledgeable and a great lecturer; you'll learn a ton. Recommended!!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MUSC150W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She assigns a hell of a lot of work and is inconsistent in her grading. She knows a whole lot, but doesn't do a very good job of explaining anything. The term paper is a pain in the ass too.

Rating # 8

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Boring class, very tough grader. Gives lots of comments which is helpful, but grades still seem bit arbitrary.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MUSC345
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A great professor, helps you a lot with writing papers. Knowledgeable and enthusiastic, especially about 19th c. American music.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ROMMUS
• 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:

Good lecturer, excellent advisor. Very willing to help outside of class. Cares about writing. A respected scholar in her field (American music).

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MUSC150W
• 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:

Class was super easy, never really did any of the readings that were required, and as long as you're a decent writer you can get an A on papers. She's an extremely knowledgable professor and she often goes off on tangents about the history of music, but she's willing to help if you just ask.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC150W
• 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:

She's super busy and has a lot on her plate, but is very helpful and flexible. I liked her a lot...she really helped with my papers and always wanted us to like what we were doing. She's extremely knowledgable about musicology and really wants us to enjoy the class. Great lady--- class is interesting.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MUSC365
• 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:

A bit scatterbrained, tends to ramble, but a good professor. Really enthusiatic about the subject (colonial and federal music). Encouraged students to visit her ofice and was helpful. Class was not that hard but busy - readings, listening, abstracts, field trips and speakers, plus one big paper.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MUS385
• 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:

She doesnt challenge you - even in the upper level history course (Romantic period). Music analysis is rather lacking, and she's not terribly knowledgable. Personality is also not engaging - she can be rather blunt and confrontational, but means well.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MUSICFILM
• 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:

It is unclear exactly why this woman is teaching at W&M. If she had any real knowledge about the subject, she certainly did not impart it to the students. Lectures are rambling and completely uninformative. A waste of time.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MUSSEM
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

AWFUL! she's totally unconcerned with her students. Don't know how she's dept chair! Never seen a professor so uninteresting and unhelpful during my entire 4 yrs at W&M.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MUS390
• 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:

not helpful to students, even though she's dept chair