Roger Wesby - Wagner College, Staten Island, NY

Professor: Roger Wesby

Department: Music

College: Wagner College, Staten Island, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MU064A
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very knowledgeable man. He is very well known in the choral music scene in NYC and kind of famous in Costa Rica, like celebrity status. His requirements are attend rehearsal and put in effort. Not too bad. Being a good sight reader doesn't hurt. Nice guy especially outside of rehearsal, like most profs. Don't disrespect this guy, he's made a name.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MU064A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The majority of people who do not enjoy Roger's choir are people who are upset that he won't let them do the bare minimum. Music takes work and dedication. Lots of people take it thinking it's an easy A. Nope. He was conservatory level professional. Not everyone is cut out for REAL world work ethic, at the Carnegie Hall level.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHOIRMU06
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

Do not believe ANYONE when they say you can easily balance being a theatre performance major and in the choir. It is possible but because of Wesby's vendetta against the theatre department, he will schedule concerts (obviously mandatory) during mainstage/stage one shows, making it really difficult to do tech assignments/be in shows. Beware.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MU209
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Hardest professor at Wagner. Very unclear with instruction. Expect to read more than necessary. He expects you to leave the class knowing everything he knows about the topic. Quizzes are extremely difficult. I had him for history of Jazz and Blues. Before this class i was playing jazz music for 7 years and loved it. I now hate it.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MU209
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Way too strict. You have to attend like 7 concerts . Listening quizzes are a joke but you will most likely fail them. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MU209
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very rude. unclear, unorganized, inconsiderate. Only wanted things written his way, which is ridiculous because everyone has their own writing style. Do not recommend at all.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MU209
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a cool guy if you catch him on the right day. He can come across as a bit intimidating and demanding on the wrong days. He's very unorganized logistically (good luck getting a ride to the mandatory concerts on the island, either in this class or in choir) and has unreasonable expectations. Unless you have a background in music avoid this class

Rating # 8

Overview:

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

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Dr.Wesby's choir has been the hardest part about being at Wagner. Dr.Wesby is a very smart & talented man. The choir sounds amazing. However, he is a cranky, rude man. He's very difficult to talk to. He'll be nice for 5 seconds then completely bash the choir. It's sad, actually. People dread rehearsal, when it's supposed to be enjoyable. It's not.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MU060B
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

I'm so glad to see that Dr. Wesby finally got the promotion to professor that he has so long deserved. Honestly, the people who write on here clearly had no interest in being in a professional level choir so much that they had to rant about how much they "hate Dr. Wesby." The man knows music better than anyone I know and is a fantastic director.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MU060
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I was a transfer student starting at Wagner my sophomore year. Dr. Wesby was the greatest professor, door was always open for anything you needed. Provided me with some of the best experiences in my college career. Choir tour was always amazing and the experience I had as the tour manager for 2 years was fantastic.

Rating # 11

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I'm almost certain that this man is a demon and sucks the souls out of young musicians and singers. STAY AWAY AT ALL COSTS

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MU060B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He runs a choir that is uncompromisingly professional. Anyone who wants to perform in a professional musical ensemble for any length of time should join choir: this is the real deal and not for the faint of heart. Anyone who can deal with that will be fine in choir.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MU060B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I have heard lots of unpleasant things about Wesby from upperclassmen, but as a freshman who only met him this year, I think he must have improved tremendously. To me, he just seems like a very nice man who's passionate about his music and takes it very seriously. His apparent temper that I've heard about has gotten much, much better. I like him!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MU060
• 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:

Everyone misunderstands Dr. Wesby. He's actually an extremely intelligent man when it comes to music, and he means well but has a difficult time communicating sometimes. True, he doesn't take crap, but when you're trying to run a performing group, you really shouldn't. He strives to make his choirs the best they can be, and I respect that.

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

The man loves his music, he is extremely passionate about it & wants everyone in his choir to be just as into it as he is. He has made some wonderful improvements with treble & has most definitely gotten better over the years. If you're respectful & ATTEND choir you'll be just fine. DO NOT text in rehearsal he'll eat you alive.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: COLLCHOI
• 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:

Dr. Wesby. Ohhh Dr. Wesby. He really is brilliant but I must admit that he is cuckoo bananas. He took all the fun out of choir, not to mention he would make you feel TERRIBLE for missing one rehearsal. GOD FORBID. Dont bother taking the scholarship because it is truthfully not worth it. I dropped it and feel no remorse. Best decision ever.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MU01
• 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:

I don't know what to say. He is a good teacher, but he sometimes just gets on my nerves. He is the only choir teacher so if you like choir go for it. But I seriously thought about changing my major in music cause I am not happy with the department.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MUS209
• 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 had Wesby years ago at another college. Hasn't changed. Demanded massive commitment, so I asked if I could audit, since I sang for fun. He said yes, then forgot our conversation when he tried to fail me for missing a "concert"- backing up the marching band for a medly of carols at their Christmas concert. Was furious. Wrote a letter I still have.

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I see he hasn't changed one bit since I graduated in '04. While he may be brilliant, he does NOT know how to teach or encourage his students. I grew up learning classical piano and was used to strict professors, but at least they were motivating and bew how to teach! He's out of control.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC101
• 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:

The person below me has no idea what they're talking about. The theater program is where the difficult professors are - it's general knowledge that Wagner's music program is HUGE joke. And when it comes down to it, so is Wesby. He turns music into a cult. He will ruin your life. Stay far, far away.