The Westminster Choirs
Westminster is renowned for its outstanding choral program that includes eight ensembles performing a broad range of repertoire. All students have unparalleled opportunities to perform on a professional level in major concert halls and in throughout the country.
Westminster Chapel Choir
James Jordan, conductor
WCC Freshmen, all other Rider University students by audition
The Westminster Chapel Choir is composed of first year undergraduate students at Westminster Choir College and other Rider University students by audition. Chapel Choir takes its name from Westminster’s rich history of leadership in the field of sacred music. The ensemble has evolved over the years, and today its repertoire includes both sacred and secular works.
Westminster Schola Cantorum
James Jordan, conductor
Westminster Schola Cantorum is one of three curricular choirs at Westminster Choir College. Composed of all students in their second year of study at the college, as well as other Rider University students selected by audition, this ensemble forms a vital link between the technique and artistry gained by students in their first-year experience at the college in the Westminster Chapel Choir and the Westminster Symphonic Choir, which performs with many of the world’s finest orchestras and is a cornerstone of the Westminster experience.
Westminster Choir
Lynnel Joy Jenkins, conductor
Setting the standard for choral excellence since 1920, the Westminster Choir is composed of sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students selected by audition. The ensemble’s 2021-2022 season includes a series of concerts in New Jersey and a proposed concert tour in January, as well as additional off-campus performances.
Westminster Symphonic Choir
James Jordan, conductor
James Bagwell, guest conductor
Westminster Symphonic Choir has performed and recorded with many of the world’s leading orchestras. It is required for all Westminster Choir College sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students. The ensemble is also open to other Rider University students by audition at fall choral hearings. Singers must have prior choral experience and are held to a high level of musicianship and artistry. Participation in the ensemble may require concurrent private voice study or enrollment in VC 103: Voice Secondary as determined on an individual basis. It’s 2021-2022 season includes performances on the Rider University campus and additional concerts that will be announced later in the semester.
Westminster Jubilee Singers
Vinroy D. Brown, Jr., conductor
Composed of students selected by audition, the Westminster Jubilee Singers is modeled after the historically acclaimed Fisk Jubilee Singers. Part of Westminster Choir College’s Sacred Music Department, the ensemble performs literature that includes African-American spirituals and folk songs and classical music by African-American composers. Also explored and performed are works by non-African-American composers who have composed and/or arranged music of the African-American experience.
Westminster Kantorei
Westminster Kantorei will be on hiatus for the 2021-2022 academic year. This chamber ensemble specializing in Renaissance, Baroque and Contemporary vocal music was established in 2004. It has consistently gained acclaim for historically informed performances. Past collaborations have included work with many of North America’s leading historically informed ensembles.
Westminster Williamson Voices
Westminster Williamson Voices will be on hiatus for the 2021-2022 academic year. This GRAMMY™ nominated chamber choir is named for the founder of Westminster Choir College, John Finley Williamson, who devoted his life to bringing choral music at the highest level to churches and schools, communicating the human mission of choral singing, a mission continued by this ensemble. The Westminster Williamson Voices’ spring 2021 recordings of works by Thomas LaVoy ’13 and Sarah Rimkus will be released on the Westminster Choir College label in September.
Westminster Williamson Voices Treble Ensemble
Tom T. Shelton, conductor
This ensemble is open to all sopranos and altos. Placement is based on an audition for music majors and minors, during the specified audition dates. Non-music majors may audition to participate in the ensemble. If selected, there will be an additional requirement of taking private voice lessons or enrolling in class voice. The ensemble sings literature for treble voices from all historical periods and styles: classical, sacred, secular, serious and lighter works from Broadway to Pops.
Westminster Concert Bell Choir I
Kathleen Ebling Shaw, conductor
This auditioned ensemble is designed for those with prior ringing experience. The ensemble’s 2021-2022 season will include the release of recordings made in spring 2021 and concerts on campus, as well as a performance at Lehigh University in December. The second semester’s focus will be preparation for spring performances and a proposed tour in May.
Westminster Concert Bell Choir II
Kathleen Ebling Shaw, conductor
This ensemble is open to all University students with or without prior ringing experience. The focus of both semesters will be learning proper ringing and damping, special ringing articulations, understanding the handbell score and ringing musically. Limited performance opportunities may occur.