Lowell Richmond Sparks - University of Maryland

Professor: Lowell Richmond Sparks
Department: Music
College: University of Maryland
Rating # 1
Overview:
  • Course: MUSC229
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 1.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Dr. Sparks is the worst conductor I've ever had, and I've had a lot! He is condescending and rude to students and doesn't know how to run rehearsals. He treats music majors like they don't know anything. DON'T take this class... If I had to take it with him for one more year, I would transfer schools.
Rating # 2
Overview:
  • Course: MUSC229
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 1.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Sparks is extremely degrading to students, and he blames his mistakes on the ensemble. Rehearsals are extremely frustrating for everyone, and his conducting is flawed. He drops beats and then blames it on the ensemble. He's a nice guy in person, but it's totally not worth the frustrating rehearsals.
Rating # 3
Overview:
  • Course: MUSC229F
  • 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:
Fantastic guy, cares about his job and the students, a bit off at times, but its endearing after a while
Rating # 4
Overview:
  • Course: MUSC229
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 2.5
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
he can be hard to work with, but he's a good guy
Rating # 5
Overview:
  • Course: MUSC229
  • 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:
Dr. Sparks is extremely creepy and a major jerkface. He sucks at conducting and he likes to toot his own horn. DONT let him know your name, he will not cease to call you out for any random reason. In general, STAY AWAY from this crazy, twisted, old man.
Rating # 6
Overview:
  • Course: MUSC229E
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 1.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Even if Dr. Sparks doesn't keep a steady beat, it's the musicians' job to watch him and keep up with him. Percussionists seem to have the biggest problem with that.
Rating # 7
Overview:
  • Course: MUSC229F
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Always at odds with the drumline. Can't keep a steady beat, or if he can, he simply doesn't.
Rating # 8
Overview:
  • Course: MUSC229F
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 1.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
He is the best professor to go to when you're down. He knows just what to say to make you feel alright again. He's like a second Dad.
Rating # 9
Overview:
  • Course: 299
  • 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:
No Comments
Rating # 10
Overview:
  • Course: MUSC229
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.5
  • Course Difficulty: 1.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
awesome band director....definitely keeps people motivated.
Rating # 11
Overview:
  • Course: MUSC229
  • 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:
Dr. Sparks is an amazing person. Yes he is strict and makes u work hard...but in the end he amkes it well worth.
Rating # 12
Overview:
  • Course: SYMPHONIC
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Poor conducting style. Uninteresting choices in music for the concerts.
Rating # 13
Overview:
  • Course: BAND
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 3.5
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
yeah, he's cheesy and the biggest PR **** i've ever seen but overall he's a good guy and really cares about the band and music...it's refreshing to see someone who obviously loves their job...oh, and MIGHTY SOUND OF MD rocks!! :):)
Rating # 14
Overview:
  • Course: 229E
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 1.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Whomever said that Dr. Sparks is out of touch with his students is a fool. I have been to him many times and he always knows exactly how to help you out with ANY problem you ever need help with. He is a phenominal teacher and a wonderful mentor.
Rating # 15
Overview:
  • Course: MUSC999
  • 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:
He can be cool at times but when he scheduled a last minute concert, and messed up the plans I had made months in advance with one of his students (my brother)--he said he would drop his perfect grade down at least a letter grade if he didn't go! Sad.
Rating # 16
Overview:
  • Course: BAND
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 1.5
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
His comments are offensive- way too sexually oriented. His conducting lacks any sense of an ictus- and his intonation is way off
Rating # 17
Overview:
  • Course: 229E
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 1.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Sparks really is an amazing teacher. He really keeps you going.
Rating # 18
Overview:
  • Course: MUSC104
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 1.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Sparks is a good teacher, He makes you work to play your hardest.
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