Peter Boonshaft - Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY

Professor: Peter Boonshaft

Department: Music

College: Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SED112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Simply THE BEST professor I have had ever. He really cares about his students succeeding and will bend over backwards to help you. I wish every teacher was this wonderful. You have to put in the effort, but if you do. you will learn more in one semester than many teachers could do in five years.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MUS107
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I went into Boonshaft's class scared out of my mind; it turned out to be one of my favorite classes. The midterm and final are stressful, but if you put in the work and don't cram, he'll take care of you. He's a fair grader if you put in the work. If you don't, he'll ruin you. Practice a lot and pay attention in class and you'll be fine.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MUS021
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He really has no business teaching. A lot of the technique is unnecessary and based on books that HE wrote. Took the magic out of conducting for me.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MUS105
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is the fairest professor I have ever met. If you don't put in the work, he will ruin you, and you deserve it. If you do, he will do everything he can to support your education and understanding. This man is a true educator, in the highest regard. He is unparalleled.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MUS20160
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I had the pleasure of having him as the conductor. He is very passionate about music and as long as you love music, you're going to have a great time! His speeches are inspirational to the point that it's tear jerking.

Rating # 6

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

He is my hero

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MUS20160
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He's an absolute great director and person. Knows better than anyone else in the music world I've had.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: COS126
• 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:

I had the privilege of playing under Dr. Boonshaft in the All-National Concert Band. He is a very intense motivator who inspired everyone at the conference. Purely amazing.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BANDA
• 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:

I played in an All-State group under him. He is one of the most inspirational figures I can point to in all of my music experience. He truly understands great music.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SED112
• 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:

This man is the most intimidating person I have ever met. He expects a great deal from each one of his students, so don't expect any of his classes to be a cakewalk. However, the amount of extremely valuable knowledge you get from this man is more than worth the hours you put into the class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BAND1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Boonshaft is extremely knowledgeable about music and teaching. He has tested his ideas and they work! I have been teaching for 10 years and it was his undergrad classes that got me through the first 3 years! If you listen and stick around you will learn alot!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MUS112
• 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:

After taking every class of Dr. B's for Undergrad Music ed and having read many of these negative reviews, I am very concerned about the quality of teacher I will have as my colleagues in the future. If you read EVERYTHING and open every facet of your mind - you will learn SO much. His confidence is not arrogance. Ps: MEMORIZE when he tells you to.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BLAH101
• 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:

I read some of these posts in absolute astonishment. I played horn under Dr. B. in PYHCB, and then at Moravian. After I left, I went to New Eng. Cons. of Music for horn perf. Dr. B. was THE BEST music educator I've encountered-and I've worked with members of the Boston Symphony, world famous orch. conductors, etc. The haters are crazy.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Doesn't anyone else find this guy so pompous it makes you sick? Find it hard to get past that. Yeah, he knows his stuff, but does he have to tell us every 10 seconds?

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CONDBND
• 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:

Good: Insanely knowledgeable, will drop what he's doing to get you an answer if unsure. Dedicated and VERY disciplined. Bad: Talks too fast and didn't let us record classes because it conflicted with book deal. Name dropper. Pleasant and cordial but that's about it unless you're in his band. Little time for discussion. His way or highway.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BAND023
• 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:

Dr. Boonshaft is an amazing musician. He travels all around the world conducting and speaking, and we get to have him every week!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC101
• 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:

amazing

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I had the privilege of attending two clinic sessions with Dr. Boonshaft at the OMEA Conference a few years ago. Very informative, entertaining and energetic!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BANDSECT
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr Boonshaft is an excellent teacher of an ensemble. I've had him for the past three years and I can say that he always manages to pull us all together to make a fantastic sound at the concert. The music is very difficult and takes hard work. I do not know the man as a person but my experience has always been excellent knowing him as a musician.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BAND021
• 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:

The most amazing teacher I have ever had. Cares more about his students than you can imagine. He is the model teacher and conductor. Nobody can inspire people like him...nobody. He makes you work very hard, but I wish every teacher was like him.