Barry Kolman - Washington and Lee University

Professor: Barry Kolman

Department: TBD

College: Washington and Lee University

Rating # 1

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I can honestly say that I feel honored to play in the USSO. Dr. Kolman appears at first tough (a NY attitude?), but is a big teddy bear when we need encouragement and support. He is not the smiling type, though, but an amazing musician. The Best!!

Rating # 2

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

One of the most gifted conductor and musician I've ever met.Last concert (few days ago)was amazing and we all received standing ovation under his baton. I'm so looking forward the next season with the orchestra!!!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MUS120
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Kolman is not the smiling type, but has a dry sense of humor and can even be quite entertaining to be in his class. He is very intense and committed music. He is inspirational for his enthusiasm and made me think about becoming a music major.

Rating # 4

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

The best conductor ever! He is truly passionate about music! Great fun!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MUS100
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Excellent faculty, the only one in the music department who really shows passion for music!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MUS120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Kolman doesn't teach the appropriate information for the tests. I did all of the readings and when I showed up to class, he basically read the text book to us. He didn't teach the information that would help us do well on the tests, which would be improving our listening skills, he taught the straight facts. I was frustrated.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MUS120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Im not sure if Kolman is a bad teacher or if it's the structure of the class. The course is taught from a textbook and the tests and quizzes are made by the textbook, which limits the professors teaching. He admitted seconds before our test that he had never read the questions, so sometimes the questions are irrelevant. Easy grader, though.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MUSWE
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Wind Ensemble. I have mixed feelings about Dr. Kolman. He is without a doubt an excellent player and conductor. But not always the best teacher. I noticed over the past year that he made an effort to change his ways for the better. I considered quiting but will now play another year. You can give him a chance. You might like him, you might not.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MUS114
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

While Kolman is undoubtedly a good musician with a lot of impressive accomplishments, he is not a very understanding string conductor. He also has rather unrealistic views on attendance. Throws public temper tantrums when students are late

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: WINDENSE
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Wind Ensemble. He may be a good conductor, but he is THE WORST Teacher I have ever had as a director. My high school band director was much better than him. His "teaching" is lets play it again and again without slowing it down or working it out. Horrible. You can try it for a year but I think you will consider quitting at least once a semester.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: WINDENSEMBLE
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I promised myself that when playing wasn't fun anymore I'd stop... sadly after 16 years Dr. Kolman's rehearsal techniques drove me to stop.

Rating # 12

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

This man is horrible. He sucked the love of music right out of me. A total jerk about grading, attendance policy, etc. The personality of a porcupine.

Rating # 13

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

He is somewhat unstable.. but as long as you don't get on his bad side then you get an A. Attendance is strict, although he can be very absentminded

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MUS162
• 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:

Do not take music theory unless you want to be a music major. It is not an easy class, but Kolman makes it interesting. He is a very funny go and tries to get students involved in class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC113
• 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:

Fun to play under. Has occasional temper tantrums, but what band directer doesn't?

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC119
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's very much the New Yorker...doesn't take no crap from nobody. He likes to be sarcastic and riducule students in a humorous (I guess) way. Know your stuff and you'll do fine.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC113
• 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:

Kind of crazy to be sure, but he is good to the students. If you show up, you get a good grade.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MUS113
• 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:

He is a tough conductor who does not consider the side of the students.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC114
• 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:

awesome musician...just the best I have ever worked with