Frequently Asked Questions about Westminster
Westminster Choir College’s 1992 merger with Rider was greeted by many as an opportunity to secure Westminster’s world-renowned program and to provide a catalyst for expanding and developing arts programming throughout the University. Those dreams became a reality last year with the establishment of a new college – Westminster College of the Arts - that integrates all arts programs on Rider’s campuses in Lawrenceville and Princeton.
Westminster’s founder John Finley Williamson believed that a choir of volunteer singers could be trained to perform on a professional level. He also believed that all people can – and should – have a meaningful and rewarding experience in the arts – regardless of their career path.
The Westminster College of the Arts embodies that idea. Through its three divisions – Westminster Choir College, the School of Fine and Performing Arts, and Westminster Conservatory, the community music school – Westminster offers meaningful engagement with music and other art forms at every level – whether it’s preparing an aspiring musician for a career as a music leader or giving a pre-med student the opportunity to continue to sing in a choir as she did in high school.
We’ve received a number of questions from Westminster Choir College alumni about the new College. Listed below are some brief answers.
What is the relationship among Rider University, Westminster College of the Arts and Westminster Choir College?
Westminster College of the Arts (WCA) is one of Rider University’s four colleges. WCA is composed of three divisions: Westminster Choir College (in Princeton), the School of Fine and Performing Arts (in Lawrenceville) and Westminster Conservatory, the community music school.
So, is there a college within a college?
Yes.
Has the Westminster Choir College name changed?
No, the Westminster Choir College name remains the same. Westminster College of the Arts refers to the umbrella for the three divisions.
What programs are offered at Westminster Choir College?
The programs historically associated with the Choir College will continue to be offered on the Westminster campus in Princeton:
- Sacred Music
- Music Education
- Organ
- Piano
- Voice Performance/Pedagogy
- Theory/Composition
- Choral Conducting
- Accompanying and Coaching
What programs are offered through the School of Fine and Performing Arts?
The School of Fine and Performing Arts encompasses Rider’s arts programs in Lawrenceville – theater, dance, visual arts, music. The Bachelor of Music in Music Theater degree and the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree moved from Princeton to Lawrenceville in the fall of 2008. New students in those programs are enrolled in Lawrenceville. Students already enrolled in them will continue to study on the Westminster campus in Princeton until they graduate.
How will Westminster College of the Arts affect enrollment?
By the fall of 2008, the Westminster Choir College enrollment had grown to more than 500 undergraduate and graduate students, thanks to growth in most existing programs and the addition of the music theater major. This placed tremendous pressure on existing facilities. Moving the Bachelor of Arts in Music and the Bachelor of Music in Music Theater programs to Lawrenceville will reduce the enrollment at Westminster Choir College to about 425 by 2013. At the same time, enrollment at the School of Fine and Performing Arts will grow due to moving these programs to Lawrenceville and adding new programs, such as Arts Administration and Music Therapy. As a result, overall enrollment at Westminster College of the Arts will increase to more than 800 students.
Will more courses be available to the Westminster Choir College students as a result of establishing the new college?
Yes, faculty from the Lawrenceville campus are traveling to Princeton and offering more liberal arts courses on the Westminster campus.
What are the benefits of establishing the Westminster College of the Arts?
The benefits are many. Chief among them is that it will enable us to concentrate on Westminster Choir College’s core programs in Princeton and expand arts programming on Rider’s Lawrenceville campus.
Will the Westminster Choir College Commencement change?
The Westminster Choir College Commencement will continue to be held in the Princeton University Chapel.
Will the Westminster Choir College diploma change?
No, the Westminster Choir College diploma will remain the same, containing both the Rider University and Westminster Choir College names, as it has since the merger.
