Summer 2025
Expand the menus below to view course details, as well as important logistics information for students.
Have questions or need help?
- Registration and logistics: College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Office
- Course content: Contact the course instructor.
- Technology use (Canvas, email, etc.): Office of Information Technologies
Available Programs
CoOPERAtive
June 29 – July 5, 2025
Application Deadline: February 14, 2025 (via YAP Tracker)
Instructors: Susan Shiplett Ashbaker (Director), Evan Mack (Composer), Joshua McGuire (Librettist), Miriam Charney (Music Director), Copeland Woodruff (Stage Director), Nikolay Verevkin (Pianist)
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 year, participants will collaborate directly with composer Evan Mack and librettist Joshua McGuire on their new opera, A Nearer Mother. The program will focus on three scenes from the opera, featuring at least five main roles and a choral ensemble. Main roles will be triple cast, offering extensive performance opportunities. Auditors, including young composers and librettists, are encouraged to attend and observe the creative process.
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
July 13 - 19, 2025
Important Notice: Registration for the 2025 Conducting Intensive program is closed because the course is now full.
Sunday: 6 - 9 p.m.
Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., 7 - 8:30 p.m. (selected evenings)
Saturday: 9 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
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, further develop their ears, methods of analysis and score preparation, leadership and guidance effectiveness, and point of view. Additionally, lecture/discussions will cover new repertoire, repertoire from underserved composing populations, and philosophies of ensemble leadership. This course will culminate in a concert open to the public.
This year's intensive will include 90-minute evening sessions on various topics, including works of the early and middle Baroque, as well as the music of Florence Price and Margaret Bonds. Both sessions will include reading works appropriate to university and advanced high school and church choirs.
Repertoire to be drawn from (subject to change):
Herbert Howells: O pray for the peace of Jerusalem
Sarah Rimkus: Mine Liking
Robert Convery: Young Jesus Sweit
Morten Lauridsen: Sure on this shining night
Judith Weir: Vertue and I love all beauteous things
Eric Whitacre: This Marriage
David Lang: all who are hungry (from poor hymnal)
Jonathan Sheffer: Yedid Nefesh
Jonathan Dove: In beauty may I walk
Gerald Finzi: Welcome, sweet and sacred feast
Edie Hill: We bloomed in Spring
John Tavener: Funeral Ikos
Choral Festival
July 20 - 26, 2025
Sunday: 6 - 9 p.m.
Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., 7 - 8:30 p.m. (selected evenings)
Saturday: 9 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 Eric Plutz, collaborative keyboard
Registration due by May 15, 2025. 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 a 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. The week invites musicians to convene and experience the unique culture and atmosphere that has characterized Westminster Choir College for nearly 100 years, with emphasis on listening, ensemble and community building, vocal production, choral techniques, point of view, and excellence of performance. Lectures and discussions will augment the immersive environment in which all work together toward a performance of great music.
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):
Requiem, op. 9, Maurice Duruflé
Motets of Duruflé, Fauré, Compére, DeLalande, and Poulenc
Voice Pedagogy Institute
July 21 - July 25, 2025
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 and guests
FA 110
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 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 enjoy interactive "look-in lessons" led by the faculty.
Westminster Voice Pedagogy Institute 2025
As voice teachers, we are focused on the development and care of our students’ voices. However, one of the best investments we can make in our studio is to care for our own vocal instruments so that we can thrive in our current and future work. This summer, join director Kathy Price (WCC), Assistant Director Jonathan Price (NYC/Rider MT) and Mark Moliterno (YogaVoice®) for Westminster’s Voice Pedagogy Institute: Voice Care for the Career Voice Teacher. We are thrilled to welcome Musical Theater master teacher Mike Ruckles, Classical master teacher Elizabeth Daniels, and laryngologists Dr. Tony Jahn and Dr. Jenny Cho to our 2025 faculty. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from our faculty via lecture, look in lessons, and interactive panel discussions.
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 2025 session will meet from July 21-25.
Special Topics in Choral Pedagogy: Engaging and supporting elementary/middle school students in choral and general music settings
July 28 - August 1, 2025
9 a.m. to 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.
Lynnel Jenkins, Sarah Perry, Tom Shelton
Special Topics in Choral Pedagogy explores approaches to pedagogy and vocal technique within the choral setting and how a structured approach to building voices is the foundation for a choral program of excellence. This course will serve as a seminar to explore various topics in Choral Pedagogy.
Through a combination of lectures, discussions, and hands-on activities, students will gain practical experience in working with elementary/middle school-aged children with in choral and general music settings. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities presented by diverse learners. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, participants will develop the skills and strategies necessary to create inclusive and engaging music experiences. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to create inclusive and empowering choral programs that celebrate the unique musical potential of all learners.
Key topics will include:
- Choral Techniques for working with developing singers
- Working with changing voices in the middle school setting
- Selecting and performing appropriate repertoire for young voices
- Building choral tone through warm-ups, solfège, and musical activities
- Working with children with disabilities in choral settings
- Understanding diverse learners and adapting instruction in choral and general music settings
- Creating inclusive learning environments
- Effective communication and collaboration
- Assessment and evaluation in inclusive music settings.
The course will feature a demonstration choir of elementary/middle school children.
Course Information
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 [email protected] 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.
Additional information
View Rider University's campus map (PDF) for parking lots and building locations.
All students taking classes on campus during the Summer Sessions are required to have a parking permit. Current commuting and resident Rider students who have a parking permit for the spring 2024 semester may continue to use that permit throughout the summer as it is valid through August 31. Those who do not have a permit, as well as new and visiting students, must purchase a summer parking permit. Permits are available online and may be picked up at the Department of Public Safety, located in West House at the south entrance of campus.
Purchase a summer parking permit
For more information about purchasing a parking permit and parking regulations, please visit the Parking webpage.
Housing application:
- 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
Accommodations and costs:
- Location: Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ
- Room Type: Single rooms with air conditioning and shared hall bathrooms
- Cost: $425 per week (includes linens)
- Linens Provided: Sheets, pillow, cotton blanket, two bath towels, and a washcloth
Arrival and check-in:
| Course | Move In | Departure |
| Conducting Intensive (July 13 - July 19) | July 12 | July 20 |
| Choral Festival (July 20 - July 26) | July 19 | July 27 |
| Voice Pedagogy Institute (July 21 - July 25) | July 20 | July 26 |
| Special Topics in Choral Pedagogy (July 28 - August 1) | July 27 | August 2 |
- 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
Dining and meals
- 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.
Please bring a lunch or plan to eat at Daly Dining Hall each day, as there will not be enough time to leave campus during the lunch break.
Additional off-campus options for breakfast and dinner are available on Main Street in Lawrenceville or along the Route 1 corridor.
Schimek Family Fitness Center: The fitness center is located in the Student Recreation Center. Day passes are available for $15 at the main desk.
- Monday-Thursday
- 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Friday
- 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Saturday - Sunday
- Closed on weekends
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.
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.