Westminster Summer Arts Adult Programs

CoOPERAtive

July 5-10, 2026

Application Deadline: February 14, 2026 (via YAP Tracker)

The CoOPERAtive Program, established in 2006, has been a leader in crafting unique experiences for developing singers. In 2025, we are forging a new path by focusing on the WIN—Workshop for new operas, providing an Innovative opportunity to work with creators, and enabling participants to acquire New skills essential for contemporary opera performance.

This immersive experience is designed to equip emerging opera singers with the skills and insights necessary to excel in the evolving landscape of contemporary opera.

Conducting Intensive

August 2-8, 2026

Sunday: 6 - 9 p.m. 
Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., 7 - 8:30 p.m. (selected evenings)
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Cost (auditor, no graduate credits, full participation in the course): $600
Cost (3 graduate credits): Billed at the university's current rate.

Instructors: Donald Nally and Beth Willer
Guest Lecturer: Steven Spinelli

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Breath, gesture, and listening are the fundamental building blocks of the advanced conductor. This course will focus on their coordination as a means of connecting to ensemble musicians and audiences. Conducting music appropriate to a wide range of choirs, students will have daily podium time in a masterclass environment in order to further develop their ears, methods of analysis and score preparation, leadership and guidance effectiveness, and point of view. Additionally, lectures/discussions will cover new repertoire, and philosophies of ensemble leadership. This course will culminate in a 3-camera edited video capture of each student conducting the full class/ensemble of 30 singers. Additional sessions will include reading works appropriate to university and advanced high school and church choirs, rehearsals with all three instructors on repertoire in which they specialize, and opportunities to socialize and ask questions. 

Repertoire to be drawn from (subject to change): J.S. Bach, Judith Bingham, Johannes Brahms, Jonathan Dove, Gerald Finzi, Edie Hill, Herbert Howells, Gabriel Jackson, David Lang, Felix Mendelssohn, Rosephanye Powell, Florence Price, Heinrich Schütz, Judith Weir, and Eric Whitacre.

Choral Festival

July 26 - August 1, 2026

Sunday: 6 - 9 p.m. 
Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., 7 - 8:30 p.m. (selected evenings)
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Cost (auditor, no graduate credits, full participation in the course): $375
Cost (2 graduate credits): Billed at the university's current rate.

Instructor: Donald Nally with Michael Diorio, collaborative keyboards

Registration due by May 15, 2026. No audition is required.

Join us for an inspiring week of choral singing led by Donald Nally, Westminster Choir College’s Director of Choral Studies and multiple Grammy Award winner.

The Choral Festival explores masterworks of the choral repertory, primarily through intense rehearsals and  a culminating performance, augmented by discussions and practice of score preparation, study, collaboration, and performance. Choral musicians convene for a week of community, growth, and artistry, experiencing the unique culture and atmosphere that has characterized Westminster Choir College for 100 years, emphasizing listening, ensemble building, vocal production, choral techniques, point of view, excellence of performance, and thoughtfulness. Lectures and discussions will augment the immersive environment, including a look at new repertoire, and a sing-in of additional works (a big hit last year!).

The cost for this unforgettable week-long festival is just $375. Don’t miss your chance to work with one of the most renowned choral conductors of our time.

Concert Program (subject to change):

Herbert Howells’ St. Paul’s Service (Magnificat and Nunc dimittis)
          Now abideth Faith, Hope, and Charity
Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms (with organ, harp, and percussion)

Voice Pedagogy Institute

July 20 - July 24, 2026

9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Cost (auditor, no graduate credits, full participation in the course): $600
Cost (3 graduate credits): Billed at the university's current rate.

Kathy Price, Jonathan Price, resident faculty, and guests

Westminster's Voice Pedagogy Institute is a focused, intensive program that gives a detailed overview of science-informed and experience-driven voice pedagogy. Participants each year include singers, voice teachers, coaches, speech-language therapists, conductors, and other professional voice users who wish to deepen their knowledge and become better teachers. Emphases are on both classical and commercial singing styles. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from our faculty via lecture, look in lessons, and interactive panel discussions.

Westminster Voice Pedagogy Institute 2026

This summer, join director Kathy Price (WCC), Co-Director Jonathan Price (NYC/Rider MT) and Mark Moliterno (YogaVoice^®) for Westminster’s Voice Pedagogy Institute. Guest faculty and special topics will be announced in December.

You can participate in-person on campus (campus accommodations available), synchronously on Zoom, asynchronously via recordings, or in whatever combination your schedule affords. VPI may be taken for graduate credit or a low audit fee. Our 2026 session will meet from July 20 - 24.

Special Topics in Choral Pedagogy

2026 information is coming soon!

All students should have received an invitation via their Rider email to join the course on Canvas, the university’s learning management system. View frequently asked questions about the use of Canvas as a learning tool.

Students taking the course for credit and students auditing the course will have the same classroom experiences.

Auditors are entitled to full participation in daily course activities but will not receive academic credit. Auditors may also be exempted from some assignments at the discretion of the course instructor.

Students wishing to change from audit to credit must do so before the start of class.

Email casdean@rider.edu if you would like to change your status.

If taking a course for credit, an undergraduate degree is required. Applicants are required to submit an official transcript showing that an undergraduate degree has been conferred. No prerequisites are needed to audit an adult summer course.

View Rider University's campus map (PDF) for parking lots and building locations.

Parking for WCC summer adult programs is in the faulty lot between Westminster House and Beckett Village. Please download this pass and display it on your dashboard for the duration of the program. 

For more information about purchasing a parking permit and parking regulations, please visit the Parking webpage.

Billing for Summer II classes will happen shortly after the Memorial Day holiday. Bills for tuition and housing will be available on your myRider page. Course participants should check their Rider email regularly for billing information and course updates.

For help with billing, contact the Office of the Bursar.