It is clear that she really cares about the class and wants us to care about music and film as well. However, the class felt very scattered and difficult to expect week to week. Her Canvas page was a mess as you couldn't see your grade and the syllabus did not help provide structure. She held past the class time occasionally as well.Rate My Professors ↗
Current instructor
Laura Schwendinger
What students say
Original student reviews · all captured dates
If you're into films and music it's perfect because you learn the history of both simultaneously. She was highly knowledgeable about all topics taught and easy to ask questions about stuff. Although you don't really see your grade on canvas the course is taught well enough it doesn't really matter because you'll likely pass. Would recommend!!!Rate My Professors ↗
She is very passionate about the material she is teaching. Everything written on the board is valid for tests which makes the tests very easy.Rate My Professors ↗
Professor does not return graded assignments for weeks and goes on tangents not related to topic during lectures. Material is presented in scattered way. She sends out emails as long threads and was very disorganized. A struggle to figure out what is due each week or figure out what we had done.Rate My Professors ↗
Her enthusiasm and love for music and film was apparent in all of the lectures and assignments. She genuinely wants to instill a love of film and music in all of her students. A bit disorganized at times. Take good notes on EVERYTHING she says, not just the things she puts on the boardRate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Classes with Laura Schwendinger
Music & Film
3 creditsA survey of film music by major composers, exploring techniques and styles through lectures, listening, and film viewing.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Laura Schwendinger demonstrates genuine enthusiasm and deep knowledge of music and film history, fostering a passionate learning environment. Reviewers note her high expertise and willingness to answer questions, with some finding tests easy when relying on board notes.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2023–Fall 2025 · limited sampleDirected Study
1–3 creditsA directed study course for individual research and projects with faculty approval.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Independent Work
1–3 creditsMUSIC 799 is an independent work course involving faculty-mentored individual study and research.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleSeminar in Composition
3 creditsA graduate seminar exploring composition, musical forms, contemporary performance, electronic music, and intermedia.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2023: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=8 letter grades); Spring 2024: 3.88 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=12 letter grades); Spring 2025: 3.94 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=8 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2025 · limited sampleMasters Thesis
1–4 creditsMUSIC 990 is a masters thesis course involving individual research study with a faculty mentor for writing a thesis.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Music Lessons for Non-majors
1–2 creditsPrivate applied music performance instruction for non-majors and music majors studying a secondary instrument.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2025 · limited sampleMUSPERF 249 is an elementary to intermediate composition course providing individual instruction for music majors.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Third Year Composition
3 creditsMUSPERF 347 is a third-year composition course providing individual instruction in music composition.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Fourth Year Composition
3 creditsMUSPERF 447 is a fourth-year course providing advanced individual instruction in music composition.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Advanced Composition
2–4 creditsMUSPERF 449 is an advanced composition course providing individual instruction for majors.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
A composition capstone project involving the individually directed creation and presentation of original musical work.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Senior Recital
2 creditsPreparation and public performance of a senior-level recital for music performance majors.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
MUSPERF 547 provides private composition instruction at the master's degree level.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
MUSPERF 747 is a doctoral level composition course for students in the Music: Performance graduate program.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Fall 2019: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=8 letter grades); Spring 2022: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=2 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleRecorded teaching history
Explore courses taught by this instructor →Browse recorded courses
| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | MUSIC 107 | Music & Film |
| Fall 2026 | MUSIC 499 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2026 | MUSIC 799 | Independent Work |
| Fall 2026 | MUSIC 927 | Seminar in Composition |
| Fall 2026 | MUSIC 990 | Masters Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | MUSPERF 146 | Music Lessons for Non-majors |
| Fall 2026 | MUSPERF 249 | Elementary/intermediate Composition |
| Fall 2026 | MUSPERF 347 | Third Year Composition |
| Fall 2026 | MUSPERF 447 | Fourth Year Composition |
| Fall 2026 | MUSPERF 449 | Advanced Composition |
| Fall 2026 | MUSPERF 498 | Composition Capstone Project |
| Fall 2026 | MUSPERF 499 | Senior Recital |
| Fall 2026 | MUSPERF 547 | Masters Level Composition |
| Fall 2026 | MUSPERF 747 | Doctoral Level Composition |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
Instructor identity & provenance
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