Musicians who are interested have the opportunity to be awarded one of six full tuition grants for Westminster Choir College of Rider University through the Westminster Choir College Organ Scholarship Competition.

“The new competition presents an incredible opportunity for prospective students who are interested in playing the organ to study at Westminster,” says Dr. Jason Vodicka ’03, 2009, associate dean of Rider’s College of Arts and Sciences and associate professor of music education at Westminster Choir College.

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Anyone who is interested in competing should be able to apply at Rider University by Jan. 15, 2023. Then, they can pursue the Master in Music or a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, or Bachelor of Arts in Music with an organ as their primary instrument. The voice or piano may be considered as a secondary primary instrument.

The contest will be held on the Westminster campus during its Undergraduate Audition Day on Feb. 4 2023. The students who want to audition will be able to play two selections of musicone composition written by J. S. Bach or another baroque composer , and another piece composed written by a romantic 20th century composer or living composer. The music can be played on the piano or organ.

The performances will be evaluated by a professional panel of judges which includes the competition Director Robert McCormick ’01, organist and choirmaster of Saint Mark’s Church in Philadelphia and Professor. Steven Pilkington, associate professor in the Department of Choral Studies, Music Education and Sacred Music; Clara Gerdes, director of music at Most Holy Redeemer and Nativity Parish in New York City; and Thomas Gaynor, assistant organist and choirmaster of Saint Mark’s Church in Philadelphia.

“Organ is a critical part of Westminster Choir College’s history and can be selected as a primary instrument for the College’s Bachelor of Music in Music Education program or the Bachelor of Arts in Music program which includes tracks in sacred music, music history and music theory, among others,” Vodicka states. “I am thrilled that the University has chosen to support organ study in this way.”

Westminster Choir College of Rider University has a long history of preparing students for rewarding careers as well-rounded performers and leaders. The College’s long-standing tradition of the highest quality in choral singing offers students with an abundance of opportunities for performances as well as the opportunity to collaborate with well-known faculty and guest performers.