CoOPERAtive Program

CoOPERAtive welcomes participants at various levels. Singers are typically juniors in college through young professional singers.

Principal Singers

• Triple cast in three scenes from the featured new opera.
• Participate in six hours of daily rehearsals (music and staging).
• Attend evening master classes & discussions with the creative team.
• Perform in the final night's workshop performances (estimated at 30 – 45 minutes) by each of the three casts. These performances will be open to the public.

Ensemble Singers

• Perform in scenes that call for chorus/ensemble.
• Observe principal rehearsals to gain insight into the workshop process.
• Participate in evening activities and the final showcase.

Auditors

• In attendance for all rehearsals and activities.
• Ideal for young composers, librettists, stage directors, music directors, pianists, and singers to observe the intensity and rigor of working on three scenes of a new opera.
• Engage with the creative team throughout the program.

A typical day in the CoOPERAtive Program: 

• 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Music and staging rehearsals 
• 1 - 2:30 p.m. Break 
• 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. Music and staging rehearsals 
• 5:30 - 7 p.m. Break 
• 7 - 8:30 p.m. Evening Content and Activities 
  • Possible topics could include:
    • Discussions with the composer and librettist 
    • Conversations with the music and stage directors 
    • Zoom presentation with the person who inspired the opera A Nearer Mother 
    • Integrating words and music 
    • Writing for the voice 
    • Master class of other music by the composer/librettist team 
    • Conversations with professional singers who have “lived the dream” of creating a new work and singing a world premiere performance

The CoOPERAtive Program accepts online applications via YAP Tracker. You do not need to be a paid subscriber to YAP Tracker to use this application form. 

Applications are accepted between November 1, 2024 and February 14, 2025

Need help? Access the YAP Tracker Tutorial.

2025 Audition Requirements:

For CoOPERAtive Singers -

• 3 videos of contrasting language and style. One selection must be an aria or song written after 2010 and one selection must be in English. Your aria or song written after 2010 may be in English and satisfy both requirements leaving you free to choose two other selections in contrasting styles and languages.

For Auditors -

• Please fill out the YAP Tracker application.  There is no video or audio requirement.

If you have any questions about your application, please email sashbaker@rider.edu.

2025 Program Fees*:

• Tuition for Principal Singers: $1,500 
• Tuition for Ensemble Singers: $600
• Tuition for Auditors: $350

Credit card payments using Visa, MasterCard, Discover or AMEX can be made online by signing into our secure payment portal.

_{* All payments are non-refundable.}

On-campus housing for the the week is available for an additional fee. After you sign up for the CoOPERAtive program, you will receive an email that asks you to confirm whether you would like housing. 

Housing availability:

• Cost: $425 per week (includes linens)
• Location: Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ (residence halls)
• Room Type: Single rooms with air conditioning and shared hall bathrooms
• Linens Provided: Sheets, pillow, cotton blanket, two bath towels, and a washcloth

Applying for housing:

• The housing application opens Monday, April 7
• Sign into myRider and navigate to the Housing Portal 
• Follow the on-screen instructions to select summer housing:
  • Visiting students should select the Westminster summer programs housing options
  • Current Rider students should select "Summer 1" or "Summer 2" housing if interested

Important dates: 

• Arrival/Move-in: June 29
  • Check-In Hours: 8 AM – 8 PM (Report to Gee Hall lounge. Follow the signs upon arrival.) 
  • Late Arrivals: A night duty staff member will be available for check-ins after 8 PM 
  • Room assignments, keys, and linens will be provided at check-in
• Departure: July 6 

Campus Amenities:

• Daly Dining Hall – Meals are available for purchase with cash or card from July 2, 2025 - August 19, 2025. 
• Starbucks – Open with a reduced summer schedule.
• Rider University amenities include access to the Bart Luedeke Center and Moore Library.
• Schimek Family Fitness Center is located in the Student Recreation Center. Day passes are available for $15 at the main desk. The summer fitness schedule is available online.
• The campus also has numerous paved walkways, a trail system and direct access to the Johnson Trolley Line trail. Downtown Lawrenceville is a 1-mile walk from campus.

Scholarships, including the Katharine Bidwell Scholarships for young singers, and merit-based grants will be awarded to qualified singers enrolled in the CoOPERAtive program.

Scholarship recipients will be notified of the amount of scholarship in their acceptance notification. Any scholarship received will be taken off the final payment.

Yes! Should you wish to take this course for university credit (undergraduate or graduate) you can earn up to three credits through Westminster Choir College at Rider University. This is ideal for anyone wanting or needing additional courses for their degree program, post graduate credits, or a unique course.