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
Jason Vodicka, conductor
WCC Freshmen, all other Rider University students by audition
MWF 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
T 1:10-2:10
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. The fall 2020 semester will be taught online and with a focus on issues of social justice. Singers will learn new aural and improvisation skills, hear guest lectures from choral leaders from around the world, and collaborate with other Westminster ensembles on a virtual Readings and Carols performance. Learn More
Westminster Choir
The Westminster Choir is on hiatus for the 2020-2021 season. Recognizing that this will be a first in the Westminster Choir’s 100-year history, a one-year hiatus will offer the College the opportunity to reflect on the ensemble program as we conduct a search for a full-time, tenure-track conductor for fall 2021. Setting the standard for choral excellence since 1920, the Westminster Choir has been the chorus-in-residence for the prestigious Spoleto Festival USA since 1977, performing both in concert and as the opera chorus. Recent seasons have included concert tours in Beijing, China and Spain, as well as participation in the World Symposium on Choral Music in Barcelona. Learn More
Westminster Symphonic Choir
Steven Pilkington, conductor
All WCC Sophomores through graduate students; all other Rider University students by audition
MTWF 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Westminster Symphonic Choir is required for all sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students of Westminster Choir College. 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. The choir will meet remotely in the fall. Two guest artists will be invited to work with the ensemble in the fall semester. Westminster Symphonic Choir will also prepare works for a virtual presentation of Westminster’s annual Evening of Readings and Carols. On the spring schedule are two multi-performance events with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Learn More
Westminster Jubilee Singers
Vinroy D. Brown, Jr., conductor
All University sophomores through graduate students by audition
MWF 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
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 Jubilee Singers look forward to an engaging year of virtual performances to commemorate the ensemble's 25th anniversary. In the fall, the ensemble will work toward preparing two virtual choir performances, one to accompany the famous hymn Beams of Heaven, a Jubilee staple, and the world premiere of a work composed for distance performance. The ensemble will also prepare for a virtual presentation of Westminster’s annual Evening of Readings and Carols. Learn More
Westminster Kantorei
Jay Carter, conductor
All University sophomores through graduate students by audition
TR 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Westminster Kantorei is a chamber ensemble specializing in Renaissance, Baroque and Contemporary vocal music. Established in 2004, the ensemble has consistently gained acclaim for historically informed performances under both of its past conductors: Andrew Megill, the ensemble’s founder, and Amanda Quist, the ensemble’s conductor until 2019. Past collaborations have included work with many of North America’s leading historically informed ensembles. The ensemble is now led by Jay Carter - countertenor and assistant professor of Voice. Members are selected by audition on the basis of tone, sight reading ability and professional aspiration. This year’s repertoire will focus on works written before 1800. Learn More
Westminster Williamson Voices
James Jordan, conductor
All University sophomores through graduate students by audition
MWF 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Westminster’s GRAMMY™ nominated chamber choir is a select ensemble of 40 singers recognized around the world for its artistry on recordings and innovations regarding choral performance, improvisation and choral sound. The 2020-21 Concert Season will see two new CD releases by the ensemble. The ensemble 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 Choir has premiered more than 80 new works and is the choir in residence each summer at The Choral Institute at Oxford. Two guest artists will be invited to work with the ensemble in the fall semester. Learn More
Westminster Williamson Voices Treble Ensemble
Tom T. Shelton, conductor
All University sophomores through graduate students by audition
TR 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
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. Time in the fall will be spent preparing works for a virtual presentation of Westminster’s annual Evening of Readings and Carols, as well as welcoming guest composers and conductors who specialize in treble music and conducting women’s choirs. The spring semester will feature newly commissioned works for the group. Learn More
Westminster Concert Bell Choir I
Kathleen Ebling Shaw, conductor
All University students by audition
MW 4:30 – 6:20 p.m. Friday as needed
This auditioned ensemble is designed for those with prior ringing experience. The focus of the semester will be rehearsing a variety of repertoire that can later be used for recordings and preparing pieces for a virtual presentation of Westminster’s annual Evening of Readings and Carols. The second semester’s focus will be preparation for spring performances and a national tour in May. Learn More
Westminster Concert Bell Choir II
Kathleen Ebling Shaw, conductor
All University freshmen through graduate students
W 6:30 – 8:20 p.m.
This ensemble is open to all 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. Learn More