Westminster Choir College: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 40°21′22″N 74°39′10″W / 40.35624°N 74.65291°W / 40.35624; -74.65291
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
2020–2021 update
(36 intermediate revisions by 23 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Music conservatory}}
{{Short description|Music conservatory at Rider University}}
{{refimprove|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox university
{{Infobox university
| image = File:Westminster shield.png
| image = File:Westminster shield.png
Line 9: Line 10:
| type = [[Private school|Private]]
| type = [[Private school|Private]]
| president = Gregory G. Dell'Omo
| president = Gregory G. Dell'Omo
| dean = Marshall Onofrio
| dean = Kelly Bidle
| city = [[Princeton, New Jersey|Princeton]] (1932–2020), [[Lawrenceville, New Jersey|Lawrenceville]] (2020– )
| city = [[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton, OH]] (1926–1929), [[Ithaca, New York|Ithaca, NY]] (1929–1932), [[Princeton, New Jersey|Princeton, NJ]] (1932–2020), [[Lawrenceville, New Jersey|Lawrenceville, NJ]] (2020– )
| state = [[New Jersey]]
| state =
| country = United States
| country = United States
| undergrad = 400
| undergrad = 120
| postgrad = 110
| postgrad = 30
| faculty = 75
| faculty = 75
| endowment = $20 million
| endowment = $20 million
| campus =
| campus = Suburban, 23 acres (93,000 m²) <br />(Princeton)
| colors = [[Purple (colour)|Purple]] and [[Gold (color)|gold]] {{color box|Purple}}{{color box|gold}}
| colors = [[Purple (colour)|Purple]] and [[Gold (color)|gold]] {{color box|Purple}}{{color box|gold}}
| mascot = None
| mascot = None
Line 24: Line 25:
}}
}}


'''Westminster Choir College''' ('''WCC''') is a historic [[conservatory of music]] currently operating on the campus of [[Rider University]] in [[Lawrenceville, New Jersey]]. Rider's College of Arts and Sciences, the college under which the historic institution has been reorganized, consists of Westminster Choir College as well as three additional schools.
'''Westminster Choir College''' (WCC) is a residential [[conservatory of music]], formerly located in [[Princeton, New Jersey]], before moving to [[Rider University]]'s [[Lawrenceville, New Jersey|Lawrenceville]] campus in fall 2020. Westminster Choir College educates students at the [[undergraduate]] and [[Postgraduate education|graduate]] levels for musical careers in music education, voice performance, piano performance, organ performance, pedagogy, music theory and composition, conducting, sacred music, and arts management; professional training in musical skills with an emphasis on performance is complemented by studies in the [[liberal arts]]. All students study with Westminster's voice faculty, the largest voice faculty in the world. The school's proximity to New York City and [[Philadelphia]] provides students with easy access to the musical resources of both cities.


The Choir College was previously an independent school, located first in [[Dayton, Ohio]] (1926–1929), then [[Ithaca, New York]] (1929–1932), and for most of its history in [[Princeton, New Jersey]] (1932–2020). It merged with Rider University in 1992, continuing to occupy the historic campus in Downtown Princeton. Rider University controversially attempted to monetize and sell the school in 2019, an issue under ongoing litigation by numerous plaintiffs. After a failed sale to Kaiwen Education Technology (formerly Jiansu Zhongtai Steel Structure Company), a for-profit enterprise owned solely by the Chinese government, Rider abandoned the Princeton campus and moved Westminster's programs to the University's main campus in Lawrenceville.
It is currently a part of [[Rider University]], and one of two schools for Westminster College of the Arts (consisting of the School of Fine and Performing Arts and Westminster Choir College).


==History==
==History==
Line 32: Line 33:
===1920–1932: Presbyterian beginnings to the creation of a college===
===1920–1932: Presbyterian beginnings to the creation of a college===


In 1920 [[John Finley Williamson]] founded the Westminster Choir at the Westminster Presbyterian Church of [[Dayton, Ohio]]. In 1926, he established the Westminster Choir School. The school started with a faculty of ten, and sixty students. The graduates came to be known as ''Ministers of Music'', a term coined by Williamson and still used today by many church music programs.
In 1920 [[John Finley Williamson]] founded the Westminster Choir at the [[Westminster Presbyterian Church (Dayton)|Westminster Presbyterian Church]] of [[Dayton, Ohio]]. In 1926, he established the Westminster Choir School. The school started with a faculty of ten, and sixty students. The graduates came to be known as ''Ministers of Music'', a term coined by Williamson and still used today by many church music programs. The sound of the choir in its early days was heavily influenced by the work of [[F. Melius Christiansen]] and [[The St. Olaf Choir]], however the choir quickly developed its own sound that more closely resembled English choirs.


[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 102-07655, Berlin, Gastspiel des Dayton-Westminster-Chors.jpg|thumb|left|Dayton Westminster Choir at [[Berliner Philharmonie]] in 1929]]
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 102-07655, Berlin, Gastspiel des Dayton-Westminster-Chors.jpg|thumb|left|Dayton Westminster Choir at [[Berliner Philharmonie]] in 1929]]
In 1922, the choir, then known as the Dayton Westminster Choir, began touring the United States annually, singing in [[Carnegie Hall]] (New York City), nearby [[Cincinnati Music Hall]] (Cincinnati), [[Symphony Hall, Boston|Symphony Hall]] ([[Boston]]), the [[Academy of Music (Philadelphia)|Academy of Music]] ([[Philadelphia]]), [[Symphony Center|Orchestra Hall]] (Chicago) and the [[White House]] for President [[Calvin Coolidge]]. Years later the Choir also sang for Presidents [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] and [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]]. The Choir made its first commercial recording with [[RCA Victor]] in 1926; recordings with other major conductors and orchestras followed.
In 1922, the choir, then known as the Dayton Westminster Choir, began touring the United States annually, singing in [[Carnegie Hall]] (New York City), nearby [[Cincinnati Music Hall]] (Cincinnati), [[Symphony Hall, Boston|Symphony Hall]] ([[Boston]]), the [[Academy of Music (Philadelphia)|Academy of Music]] ([[Philadelphia]]), [[Symphony Center|Orchestra Hall]] (Chicago) and the [[White House]] for President [[Calvin Coolidge]]. The Choir made its first commercial recording with [[RCA Victor]] in 1926; recordings with other major conductors and orchestras followed.


In 1928, the Choir and the [[Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra]] conducted by [[Leopold Stokowski]] made the nation's first coast-to-coast broadcast on [[Cincinnati]] radio station WLW. By a few years later, it made a total of 60 half-hour broadcasts from [[NBC]]'s New York facilities.
In 1928, the Choir and the [[Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra]] conducted by [[Leopold Stokowski]] made the nation's first coast-to-coast broadcast on [[Cincinnati]] radio station WLW. By a few years later, the Choir made a total of 60 half-hour broadcasts from [[NBC]]'s New York facilities.


On March 9, 1929, the Choir performed at the White House for newly inaugurated [[Herbert Hoover]].<ref>Ruth Fesler Lipman papers, Hoover Presidential Library</ref>
On March 9, 1929, the Choir performed at the White House for newly inaugurated President [[Herbert Hoover]].<ref>Ruth Fesler Lipman papers, Hoover Presidential Library</ref> Years later, the Choir also sang for Presidents [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]], [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]], and [[Lyndon B. Johnson]].


The first European tour took place in 1929 and was sponsored by Dayton philanthropist Katharine Houk Talbott and endorsed by [[Walter Damrosch]], conductor of the [[New York Symphony Orchestra]]. The tour included 26 concerts in major cities of Europe.
The first European tour took place in 1929 and was sponsored by Dayton philanthropist Katharine Houk Talbott and endorsed by [[Walter Damrosch]], conductor of the [[New York Symphony Orchestra]]. The tour included 26 concerts in major cities of Europe.
Line 47: Line 48:
=== 1932–1991: Independent music school in Princeton ===
=== 1932–1991: Independent music school in Princeton ===


In 1932, the choir school relocated to [[Princeton, New Jersey]], which became its permanent home. Classes were held in the First Presbyterian Church and the [[Princeton Seminary]] until 1934 when the school moved to its present campus. This was made possible by a large gift from the philanthropist Sophia Strong Taylor. The dedication of the new campus was marked by a performance of [[Johann Sebastian Bach]]'s [[Mass in B minor]] at the [[Princeton University]] Chapel with the Westminster Choir, soloists, and the [[Philadelphia Orchestra]] conducted by Leopold Stokowski. The services of the soloists, orchestra, and conductor were a gift from Stokowski.
In 1932, the choir school relocated to [[Princeton, New Jersey]], which became its long-term home. Classes were held in the [[Nassau Presbyterian Church|First Presbyterian Church]] and the [[Princeton Seminary]] until 1934, when the school moved to its own campus. This was made possible by a large gift from the Ohio philanthropist Sophia Strong Taylor. The dedication of the new campus was marked by a performance of [[Johann Sebastian Bach]]'s [[Mass in B minor]] at the [[Princeton University Chapel]] with the Westminster Choir, soloists, and the [[Philadelphia Orchestra]] conducted by Leopold Stokowski. The services of the soloists, orchestra, and conductor were a gift from Stokowski.


[[File:WilliamsonHallWestminsterRider.jpg|thumb|upright|Williamson Hall, Westminster Choir College]]
[[File:WilliamsonHallWestminsterRider.jpg|thumb|upright|Williamson Hall, Westminster Choir College]]
<!-- Rider University required that the citation "Williamson Hall, Westminster Choir College" be included with the image. Please do not modify this citation. -->
<!-- Rider University required that the citation "Williamson Hall, Westminster Choir College" be included with the image. Please do not modify this citation. -->


There was a second European choir tour in 1934 lasting nine weeks and highlighted by a live radio broadcast from Russia to the United States. In the 14 years since its founding in 1920, the choir already had two European tours which earned it international acclaim and a campus of its own. The State of [[New Jersey]] in 1939 granted the choir school accreditation and the name Westminster Choir College was adopted.
There was a second European choir tour in 1934 lasting nine weeks and highlighted by a live radio broadcast from Russia to the United States. In the 14 years since its founding in 1920, the choir already had two European tours, which earned it international acclaim and a campus of its own. The State of [[New Jersey]] in 1939 granted the choir school accreditation and the name Westminster Choir College was adopted.


In years to come, under Williamson's leadership, the choir would begin having regular concerts with the [[New York Philharmonic]] and the [[Philadelphia Orchestra]]. The Westminster Choir sang with the New York Philharmonic for the first time in 1939 conducted by [[Sir John Barbirolli]]. Since that time the choir has sung over three hundred performances with the Philharmonic, a record number for a single choir to perform with an orchestra. Later that year the choir sang with the [[NBC Symphony Orchestra]], conducted by [[Arturo Toscanini]]. That same year the choir, directed by Williamson, sang at the dedication of the [[1939 New York World's Fair|New York World's Fair]] which was broadcast to 53 countries.
In years to come, under Williamson's leadership, the choir would begin having regular concerts with the [[New York Philharmonic]] and the [[Philadelphia Orchestra]]. The Westminster Choir sang with the New York Philharmonic for the first time in 1939, conducted by [[Sir John Barbirolli]]. Since that time, the choir has sung over three hundred performances with the Philharmonic, a record number for a single choir to perform with an orchestra. Later that year, the choir sang with the [[NBC Symphony Orchestra]], conducted by [[Arturo Toscanini]]. That same year the choir, directed by Williamson, sang at the dedication of the [[1939 New York World's Fair|New York World's Fair]], which was broadcast to 53 countries.


In 1957, under the auspices of the [[U.S. State Department]] Cultural Exchange Program, the choir undertook a five-month world tour, concertizing in 22 countries, covering {{convert|40000|mi|km}} and appearing before approximately a quarter of a million people.
In 1957, under the auspices of the [[U.S. State Department]] Cultural Exchange Program, the choir undertook a five-month world tour, concertizing in 22 countries, covering {{convert|40000|mi|km}} and appearing before approximately a quarter-million people.


Williamson retired as President of Westminster Choir College in 1958. Williamson's retirement consisted of conducting choral clinics and vocal festivals throughout the United States, Japan, [[Korea]] and the [[Philippines]]. A South American choir tour was being planned by the State Department but was cancelled because of Williamson's sudden death in 1964. In accordance with his request, Williamson's ashes were scattered on his beloved campus on July 3, 1964. This was said to have taken place during the performance of the [[Verdi Requiem]] with the Westminster Festival Choir, soloists, and the Festival Orchestra conducted by [[maestro]] [[Eugene Ormandy]]. This performance on the Westminster campus was part of the [[Tercentennial]] Celebration of the State of New Jersey. The following day a memorial service for Williamson was held in the College Chapel.
Williamson retired as President of Westminster Choir College in 1958. Shortly after his death, in accordance with his request, his ashes were scattered on his beloved campus on July 3, 1964. This was said to have taken place during the performance of the [[Verdi Requiem]] with the Westminster Festival Choir, soloists, and the Festival Orchestra conducted by [[maestro]] [[Eugene Ormandy]]. This performance on the Westminster campus was part of the [[Tercentennial]] Celebration of the State of New Jersey. The following day, a memorial service for Williamson was held in the College Chapel.


In 1976, the choir college celebrated its 50th anniversary, highlighted by a performance of [[Ludwig van Beethoven]]'s [[Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven)|Ninth Symphony]] with the [[Atlanta Symphony Orchestra]] conducted by [[Robert Shaw (conductor)|Robert Shaw]], alumni soloists, and the Westminster Alumni Choir on the Princeton University campus. Despite a promising future at the 50th anniversary, Westminster soon began to see its future and prospects for continued existence threatened. Facilities on the campus were in disrepair, and Erdman Hall was ultimately condemned as unfit for use. Recognizing that the college could not continue in this path Westminster was faced with two options, either find a larger university to merge with or close.
In 1976, the choir college celebrated its 50th anniversary, highlighted by a performance of [[Ludwig van Beethoven]]'s [[Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven)|Ninth Symphony]] with the [[Atlanta Symphony Orchestra]] conducted by [[Robert Shaw (conductor)|Robert Shaw]], alumni soloists, and the Westminster Alumni Choir on the [[Princeton University]] campus. Despite a promising future at the 50th anniversary, Westminster soon began to see its prospects for continued existence threatened. Facilities on the campus fell into disrepair, and Erdman Hall was ultimately condemned as unfit for use. Recognizing that the college could not continue in this path, Westminster was faced with two options: either find a larger university to merge with, or close.


=== 1991–present: Merger with Rider University ===
=== 1991–2017: Merger with Rider University and maintenance of dual campuses ===
{{CSS image crop|Image=Westminster Choir College entrance sign 2019.jpg|bSize=440|cWidth=220|cHeight=170|oTop=95|oLeft=95|Location=left|Description=Entrance sign for the college as seen in 2019, which speaks to its relationship with its parent}}
{{CSS image crop|Image=Westminster Choir College entrance sign 2019.jpg|bSize=440|cWidth=220|cHeight=170|oTop=95|oLeft=95|Location=left|Description=Entrance sign for the college as seen in 2019, which speaks to its relationship with its parent}}


Several schools, including nearby Princeton University as well as [[Drew University]], [[Yale University]], [[The Curtis Institute of Music]], and [[The Juilliard School]], all had an interest in purchasing Westminster Choir College. The desire of Westminster to remain in its historic campus resulted in an arrangement with the nearby Rider College.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ginsburg |first=Elisabeth |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/07/nyregion/westminster-choir-college-a-merger-s-new-challenges.html?pagewanted=all |title=Westminster Choir College - A Merger's New Challenges |work=The New York Times |date=1993-03-07 |access-date=2010-09-05}}</ref> In 1992, following a year of affiliation, Rider College merged with Westminster Choir College and the music school became a part of the newly created [[Rider University]]. Despite promises that Rider would maintain the Westminster Choir College campus in Princeton, two years later, Rider President J. Barton Luedeke began exploring a move which would relocate the choir college campus to Lawrenceville, New Jersey, to be with the rest of Rider University.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ginsburg |first=Elisabeth |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/10/nyregion/choir-college-may-get-new-address.html |title=Choir College May Get New Address |work=The New York Times |date=1994-07-10 |access-date=2010-09-05}}</ref> By 1996, the choir college appeared to have a vibrant fiscal future in Princeton, operating in the black, thanks to increased enrollment and donations.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kandell |first=Leslie |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/21/nyregion/music-a-choir-school-is-singing-its-ode-to-joy-again.html |title=A Choir School Is Singing Its Ode to Joy Again |work=The New York Times |date=1996-04-21 |access-date=2010-09-05}}</ref> One year later Erdman Hall was renovated, restored, and reopened as the Presser Music Center at Erdman Hall, featuring teaching studios, a keyboard laboratory, voice library and resource center, and new classroom space.
Several schools, including nearby Princeton University as well as [[Drew University]], [[Yale University]], [[The Curtis Institute of Music]], and [[The Juilliard School]], all had an interest in purchasing Westminster Choir College. The desire of Westminster to remain in its historic campus resulted in an arrangement with the nearby Rider College.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ginsburg |first=Elisabeth |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/07/nyregion/westminster-choir-college-a-merger-s-new-challenges.html?pagewanted=all |title=Westminster Choir College - A Merger's New Challenges |work=The New York Times |date=1993-03-07 |access-date=2010-09-05}}</ref> In 1992, following a year of affiliation, Rider College merged with Westminster Choir College and the music school became a part of the newly created [[Rider University]]. Despite promises that Rider would maintain the Westminster Choir College campus in Princeton, two years later, Rider President J. Barton Luedeke began exploring a move that would relocate WCC to Lawrenceville, New Jersey, to be with the rest of Rider University.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ginsburg |first=Elisabeth |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/10/nyregion/choir-college-may-get-new-address.html |title=Choir College May Get New Address |work=The New York Times |date=1994-07-10 |access-date=2010-09-05}}</ref> By 1996, the choir college appeared to have a vibrant fiscal future in Princeton, operating in the black, thanks to increased enrollment and donations.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kandell |first=Leslie |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/21/nyregion/music-a-choir-school-is-singing-its-ode-to-joy-again.html |title=A Choir School Is Singing Its Ode to Joy Again |work=The New York Times |date=1996-04-21 |access-date=2010-09-05}}</ref> One year later Erdman Hall was renovated, restored, and reopened as the Presser Music Center at Erdman Hall, featuring teaching studios, a keyboard laboratory, voice library and resource center, and new classroom space.


Despite the optimistic future in the 1990s, by the early 2000s Rider University determined Westminster Choir College either must create an even stronger fiscal future or face closure. Looking for a way to control costs and more effectively create synergies between the two campuses of Rider University (Westminster's and the main campus), in November 2007, Rider University President Rozanski announced the creation of the Westminster College of the Arts. Westminster College of the Arts was envisioned to integrate Rider and Westminster more successfully, and create a new culture and environment of artistic excellence on both campuses. Westminster Choir College continues to educate Westminster College of the Arts students in the fields of piano, composition, voice, organ, choral conducting, sacred music, and music education. The newly formed School of Fine and Performing Arts serves as the gateway to receiving a degree in musical theatre, arts administration, and music, as well as a non-professional degree (B.A. in Fine Arts) in music, dance, and theater.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rider.edu/sfpa |title=School of Fine and Performing Arts |publisher=Rider University |access-date=2014-01-31}}</ref> The creation of Westminster College of the Arts sparked heated debate among administrators, students, alumni and faculty that highlighted the divide between Rider's Princeton and Lawrenceville campuses.<ref>{{cite web|last=Scanlon |first=Jess |url=http://www.theridernews.com/2010/12/02/all-for-one-or-one-for-all-cultural-differences-divide-between-campuses/ |title=All for One or One for All?: Cultural differences = divide between campuses |publisher=The Rider News |date=2010-12-02 |access-date=2011-04-05}}</ref>
Despite the optimistic future in the 1990s, by the early 2000s Rider University determined Westminster Choir College either must create an even stronger fiscal future or face closure. Looking for a way to control costs and more effectively create synergies between the two campuses of Rider University (Westminster's and the main campus), in November 2007, Rider University President [[Mordechai Rozanski]] announced the creation of the Westminster College of the Arts. Westminster College of the Arts was envisioned to integrate Rider and Westminster more successfully, and create a new culture and environment of artistic excellence on both campuses. Westminster Choir College continued to educate Westminster College of the Arts students in the fields of piano, composition, voice, organ, choral conducting, sacred music, and music education. The newly formed School of Fine and Performing Arts served as the gateway to receiving a degree in musical theatre, arts administration, and music, as well as a non-professional degree (B.A. in Fine Arts) in music, dance, and theater.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rider.edu/sfpa |title=School of Fine and Performing Arts |publisher=Rider University |access-date=2014-01-31}}</ref> The creation of Westminster College of the Arts sparked heated debate among administrators, students, alumni and faculty that highlighted the divide between Rider's Princeton and Lawrenceville campuses.<ref>{{cite web|last=Scanlon |first=Jess |url=http://www.theridernews.com/2010/12/02/all-for-one-or-one-for-all-cultural-differences-divide-between-campuses/ |title=All for One or One for All?: Cultural differences = divide between campuses |publisher=The Rider News |date=2010-12-02 |access-date=2011-04-05}}</ref>


Westminster recently formed the Princeton University Program with nearby Princeton University. By reciprocal arrangement, Westminster students, except freshmen, may petition to take courses at Princeton. Generally, no cost is involved beyond tuition charges at Westminster. Students are limited to one course per term, to fall or spring enrollment and to courses not offered by Westminster. The program is limited to 10 students per semester, selection and approval being made by academic deans at both institutions. In return, ten select students of Princeton University study and take courses at Westminster each semester.
Westminster formed the Princeton University Program with nearby Princeton University. By reciprocal arrangement, Westminster students, except freshmen, may petition to take courses at Princeton. Generally, no cost is involved beyond tuition charges at Westminster. Students are limited to one course per term, to fall or spring enrollment and to courses not offered by Westminster. The program is limited to 10 students per semester, selection and approval being made by academic deans at both institutions. In return, ten select students of Princeton University study and take courses at Westminster each semester.


In 2005 the school unveiled an ambitious master plan calling for a new building and other upgrades, the first to be created on the campus since the college was placed under Rider University's stewardship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kssarchitects.com/content/project.php?type_id=33&project_id=273 |title=Master Plan and New Academic Building |publisher=KSS Architects |access-date=2010-09-05}}</ref> The choir college also entered a cooperative agreement with the Princeton Regional Schools which allows for up to 40 Westminster performances a year to occur in their newly created Regional Performing Arts Center (located in [[Princeton High School (New Jersey)|Princeton High School]] across the street), alleviating Westminster's struggle from having no dedicated, large performance space on the campus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rider.edu/news/newswire/fall2006/nw10112006/story_two.htm |title=Westminster Celebrates Opening of Princeton High School Performing Arts Center |publisher=Rider University |date=2006-10-12 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906215851/http://www.rider.edu/news/newswire/fall2006/nw10112006/story_two.htm |archive-date=September 6, 2008 }}</ref>
In 2005, Westminster unveiled an ambitious master plan calling for upgrades including a new building, the first to be created on the campus under Rider University's stewardship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kssarchitects.com/content/project.php?type_id=33&project_id=273 |title=Master Plan and New Academic Building |publisher=KSS Architects |access-date=2010-09-05}}</ref> The choir college also entered a cooperative agreement with the Princeton Regional Schools, allowing for up to 40 Westminster performances per year in their newly created Regional Performing Arts Center (located in [[Princeton High School (New Jersey)|Princeton High School]] across the street), alleviating Westminster's struggle from having no dedicated, large performance space on the campus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rider.edu/news/newswire/fall2006/nw10112006/story_two.htm |title=Westminster Celebrates Opening of Princeton High School Performing Arts Center |publisher=Rider University |date=2006-10-12 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906215851/http://www.rider.edu/news/newswire/fall2006/nw10112006/story_two.htm |archive-date=September 6, 2008 }}</ref>


The lack of a large concert venue was solved in 2013 when the State of New Jersey allotted $4.6 million to Rider University to be spent on new academic facilities for Westminster's campus. Combined with donations from alumni and other supporters of the conservatory, the funds spent on this project far exceeded $5 million. Opened in 2014, the complex is named the Marion Buckelew Cullen Center in honor of the philanthropist who died in July and made a $5 million bequest to Westminster Choir College. The new building contains a 3,000-square-foot performance and rehearsal hall named the Hillman Performance Hall, in recognition of the [[Henry Hillman|Henry L. Hillman Foundation]], which provided a $3 million grant to support the project. In addition to the performance/rehearsal hall, the Cullen Center includes a large lobby, a green room and three flexibly configured classrooms that accommodate a wide range of academic and choral uses. The Cullen Center also includes an integrated connection to The Playhouse that provides improved audience access and amenities. To maximize the opportunities the project offers for enhancing The Playhouse itself, the college secured $1.5 million to upgrade this building that has played such an important role in Westminster's history. Ground was broken for the project in the summer of 2013 and the Cullen Center was completed by spring 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rider.edu/wcc/about-us/construction |title=New Building Construction at Westminster |publisher=Rider University |access-date=2014-01-31}}</ref>
The lack of a large concert venue was solved in 2013 when the State of New Jersey allotted $4.6 million to Rider University to be spent on new academic facilities for Westminster's campus. Combined with donations from alumni and other supporters of the conservatory, the funds spent on this project far exceeded $5 million. Opened in 2014, the complex is named the Marion Buckelew Cullen Center in honor of the philanthropist who died in 2012 and made a $5 million bequest to Westminster Choir College. The new building contains a 3,000-square-foot performance and rehearsal hall named the Hillman Performance Hall, in recognition of the [[Henry Hillman|Henry L. Hillman Foundation]], which provided a $3 million grant to support the project. In addition to the performance/rehearsal hall, the Cullen Center includes a large lobby, a [[green room]], and three flexibly configured classrooms that accommodate a wide range of academic and choral uses. The Cullen Center also includes an integrated connection to The Playhouse that provides improved audience access and amenities. To maximize the opportunities the project offers for enhancing The Playhouse itself, the college secured $1.5 million to upgrade this building that has played such an important role in Westminster's history. Ground was broken for the project in the summer of 2013 and the Cullen Center was completed by spring 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rider.edu/wcc/about-us/construction |title=New Building Construction at Westminster |publisher=Rider University |access-date=2014-01-31}}</ref> Currently, as a result of the college's move to Lawrenceville, the Cullen Center sits abandoned with no plans for future use.


=== 2017–present: Move to Lawrenceville ===
On March 28, 2017, after months of speculation following an announcement by Rider that it was again considering moving the Westminster students to the Lawrenceville campus and selling the Princeton campus due to purported financial problems, it was decided by the Board of Trustees that Rider would, instead, attempt to sell WCC to a new affiliate partner. A timeline of 12 months was established with hopes that a buyer would be found in the upcoming year.
On March 28, 2017, after months of speculation following an announcement by Rider that it was again considering moving the Westminster students to the Lawrenceville campus and selling the Princeton campus due to purported financial problems, it was decided by the Board of Trustees that Rider would, instead, attempt to sell WCC to a new affiliate partner. A timeline of 12 months was established with hopes that a buyer would be found in the upcoming year.


Fearing that Westminster could be made to shutter its doors and cease its mission, a large ensemble of students, alumni, faculty, community members, and others gathered at the Lawrenceville campus for a silent protest on the morning of the vote. They sang the school's "alma mater" – "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" by Peter Lutkin – numerous times, hoping to convince the trustees not to silence the college, which has made an international impact on the choral world.
Fearing that Westminster could be made to shutter its doors and cease its mission, a large ensemble of students, alumni, faculty, community members, and others gathered at the Lawrenceville campus for a silent protest on the morning of the vote. They sang the school's "alma mater" – "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" by [[Peter Lutkin]] – numerous times, hoping to convince the trustees not to silence the college.


On February 26, 2018, Rider announced its intention to sell Westminster to a former steel and bridge manufacturing firm headquartered in China.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nj.com/mercer/2018/03/chinese_company_buying_choir_college_also_builds_b.html |title=Chinese firm buying choir college also builds steel bridges, worrying faculty |first=Kevin |last=Shea |work=NJ.com |date=March 4, 2018 |access-date=August 3, 2021}}</ref> This created widespread speculation that it was President Gregory G. Dell'Omo's intention to scuttle the college from the beginning. This was also reported in a March 2018 [[Bloomberg Business News]] article which said that Beijing Kaiwen Education Technology Co. (formerly called Jiangsu Zhongtai Bridge Steel Structure Co.) had agreed to pay $40 million for the college.<ref>{{cite news
On February 26, 2018, Rider announced its intention to sell Westminster to Kaiwen Education Technology (formerly Jiansu Zhongtai Steel Structure Company), a for-profit enterprise owned solely by the Chinese government.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nj.com/mercer/2018/03/chinese_company_buying_choir_college_also_builds_b.html |title=Chinese firm buying choir college also builds steel bridges, worrying faculty |first=Kevin |last=Shea |work=NJ.com |date=March 4, 2018 |access-date=August 3, 2021}}</ref> This created widespread speculation that it was President Gregory G. Dell'Omo's intention to scuttle the college. This was also reported in a March 2018 [[Bloomberg Business News]] article which said that Beijing Kaiwen Education Technology Company had agreed to pay $40 million for the college.<ref>{{cite news
|title=Chinese Companies Are Buying Up Cash-Strapped U.S. Colleges
|title=Chinese Companies Are Buying Up Cash-Strapped U.S. Colleges
|publisher=Bloomberg News
|publisher=Bloomberg News
Line 85: Line 87:
|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-20/cash-strapped-u-s-colleges-become-targets-for-chinese-companies
|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-20/cash-strapped-u-s-colleges-become-targets-for-chinese-companies
|first1=Bruce |last1=Einhorn
|first1=Bruce |last1=Einhorn
|first2=Hui |last2=Li}}</ref> The sale subsequently faced opposition from state politicians on grounds of national security and lawsuits from Westminster alumni and donors and the Princeton Theological Seminary alleging, among other things, violation of IRS regulations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Obernauer |first1=Eric |title=Wirths seeks to block Chinese purchase of N.J. music college |url=https://www.njherald.com/20190315/wirths-seeks-to-block-chinese-purchase-of-nj-music-college |newspaper=New Jersey Herald |date=March 15, 2019}}</ref> Other concerns addressed the sale of an American institution of higher learning to a for-profit and non-American company with poor financial ratings and extensive ties to the communist Chinese government.
|first2=Hui |last2=Li}}</ref> The sale subsequently faced opposition from state politicians on grounds of national security, and lawsuits from Westminster alumni and donors and the Princeton Theological Seminary alleging, among other things, violation of IRS regulations<ref>{{cite news |last1=Obernauer |first1=Eric |title=Wirths seeks to block Chinese purchase of N.J. music college |url=https://www.njherald.com/20190315/wirths-seeks-to-block-chinese-purchase-of-nj-music-college |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323225437/https://www.njherald.com/20190315/wirths-seeks-to-block-chinese-purchase-of-nj-music-college |newspaper=New Jersey Herald |date=March 15, 2019 |archive-date=March 23, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and of previous agreements governing the Princeton campus.<ref name=IHE/>


On July 1, 2019, it was announced that Beijing Kaiwen was withdrawing from the proposed purchase. This was followed by news that Rider would relocate Westminster's programs to the Rider campus in September 2020 and monetize the sale of Westminster's Princeton campus for the benefit of Rider's debt.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/07/02/westminster-choir-college-sale-scrapped-rider-university-returns-campus |title=Westminster Choir College sale scrapped, but Rider University returns to campus consolidation plans |website=Inside Higher Ed |first=Rick |last=Seltzer |date=July 2, 2019 |access-date=2019-09-15}}</ref> At Rider University's convocation exercises on August 29, 2019, Dell'Omo announced that the relocation of Westminster and the sale of Westminster's Princeton campus would directly benefit Rider University's ongoing campus investments.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.theridernews.com/rider-looks-to-consolidate-westminster-faces-new-litigation/ |title=Rider looks to consolidate Westminster, faces new litigation |newspaper=The Rider News |first=Stephen |last=Neukam |date=September 4, 2019 |access-date=2019-09-15}}</ref> Litigation has since expanded with an additional lawsuit by plaintiffs representing Westminster students, alumni, and faculty, seeking to prevent the closure of the Princeton campus and the transfer of Westminster programs to Rider's campus. This broke the promise made to Westminster in 1992: that it would remain on the Princeton campus as a condition of the merger with Rider. Starting in 2018, Westminster was no longer permitted to show photographs or refer to the Princeton campus in its recruiting materials, although images were used in Rider's recruitment materials. Recruiting of students was deliberately and devastatingly curtailed. As a result of the decimation of the student body, there is no longer a choir large enough to perform with orchestras (particularly New York Philharmonic and Philadelphia Orchestra, as had been the collaborations over many decades), nor collaboration with the Spoleto Festival USA, nor in fact the renowned Westminster Choir.
On July 1, 2019, it was announced that Beijing Kaiwen was withdrawing from the proposed purchase. This was followed by news that Rider would relocate Westminster's programs to the Lawrenceville campus in September 2020.<ref name=IHE>{{Cite news |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/07/02/westminster-choir-college-sale-scrapped-rider-university-returns-campus |title=Westminster Choir College sale scrapped, but Rider University returns to campus consolidation plans |website=Inside Higher Ed |first=Rick |last=Seltzer |date=July 2, 2019 |access-date=2019-09-15}}</ref> At Rider University's convocation exercises on August 29, 2019, Dell'Omo announced that the relocation of Westminster and the sale of a large portion of Westminster's Princeton campus would directly benefit Rider University's ongoing campus investments.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.theridernews.com/rider-looks-to-consolidate-westminster-faces-new-litigation/ |title=Rider looks to consolidate Westminster, faces new litigation |newspaper=The Rider News |first=Stephen |last=Neukam |date=September 4, 2019 |access-date=2019-09-15}}</ref>


The college officially relocated in fall of 2020, operating under remote instruction because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. As of July 2021, the Princeton campus had not been sold, as financial and legal challenges continued.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nj.com/education/2021/07/nj-universitys-junk-bond-status-downgraded-again-as-money-concerns-grow.html |title=N.J. university's 'junk' bond status downgraded again as money concerns grow |first=Kelly |last=Heyboer |work=NJ.com |date=July 16, 2021 |access-date=August 3, 2021}}</ref>
Westminster Choir College officially relocated to Rider's Lawrenceville campus in fall 2020, operating under remote instruction because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. In 2022, the Westminster College of the Arts merged with the Rider University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to create the College of Arts and Sciences of which Westminster Choir College is a school. Enrollment has plummeted, and students have lodged numerous complaints as to the suitability of Rider's facilities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Westminster Students Say Rider’s Response to Petition Ignores Their Concerns {{!}} Town Topics |url=https://www.towntopics.com/wordpress/2021/12/22/westminster-students-say-riders-response-to-petition-ignores-their-concerns/ |access-date=2023-07-11 |language=en-US}}</ref>

As of February 2023, the Princeton campus is still being used by Westminster Conservatory (the University's community music school), for outside rentals, and for a small number of Westminster Choir College rehearsals and performances. Rider University has also rented the parking lot to Princeton Council, garnering roughly $2000 per month.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=LEA KAHN, Staff |date=2022-09-28 |title=Princeton Council renews parking lot agreement with Rider University |url=https://centraljersey.com/2022/09/28/princeton-council-renews-parking-lot-agreement-with-rider-university/ |access-date=2023-07-11 |website=centraljersey.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The status of the campus continues to be uncertain as Rider University is being sued in two separate lawsuits involving alumni, faculty, students, and the Princeton Theological Seminary.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theridernews.com/princeton-campus-remains-unsold-a-year-after-two-lawsuit-dismissals/ |title=Princeton campus remains unsold a year after two lawsuit dismissals |first=Sarah |last=Siock |newspaper=The Rider News |date=March 31, 2021 |access-date=March 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://centraljersey.com/2023/07/12/appellate-division-ruling-sends-rider-university-and-westminster-choir-college-lawsuit-back-to-superior-court/ |title=Battle of Westminster Choir College move continues |first=Leah |last=Kahn |newspaper=CentralNJ.com |date=July 12, 2023 |access-date=July 27, 2023}}</ref>


==Grammy Awards==
==Grammy Awards==
[[File:Talbott Library at Westminster Choir College.jpg|thumb|right|Talbott Library Learning Center]]
[[File:Talbott Library at Westminster Choir College.jpg|thumb|right|Talbott Library Learning Center]]
*[[James Whitbourn]]: [[Annelies (Whitbourn)|Annelies]], 2014
*[[James Whitbourn]]: ''[[Annelies (Whitbourn)|Annelies]]'', 2014
:Westminster Williamson Voices,
:Westminster Williamson Voices,
:James Jordan, Ariana Zukerman, and The Lincoln Trio
:James Jordan, Ariana Zukerman, and The Lincoln Trio with Bharat Chandra
:[[Naxos Records]] *Nominated
:[[Naxos Records]] (Nominated)


*[[Dvořák]]: Requiem; Symphony No.9 "From the New World", 2000
*[[Dvořák]]: Requiem; Symphony No.9 ''From the New World'', 2000
:The Westminster Symphonic Choir
:The Westminster Symphonic Choir
:[[Zdeněk Mácal]] and the [[New Jersey Symphony Orchestra]]
:[[Zdeněk Mácal]] and the [[New Jersey Symphony Orchestra]]
:Delos Records
:Delos Records


*[[Berlioz]]: Romeo & Juliet, 1986
*[[Berlioz]]: ''Romeo & Juliet'', 1986
:The Westminster Symphonic Choir
:The Westminster Symphonic Choir
:[[Riccardo Muti]] and the [[Philadelphia Orchestra]]
:[[Riccardo Muti]] and the [[Philadelphia Orchestra]]
:[[Angel Records|Angel/EMI]] *Nominated
:[[Angel Records|Angel/EMI]] (Nominated)


*[[Samuel Barber|Barber]]: Anthony & Cleopatra, 1983
*[[Samuel Barber|Barber]]: ''Anthony & Cleopatra'', 1983
:The Westminster Symphonic Choir
:The Westminster Symphonic Choir
:C. Badea and the Spoleto Festival Orchestra
:C. Badea and the Spoleto Festival Orchestra
:[[New World Records]]
:[[New World Records]]


*[[Haydn]]: [[Lord Nelson Mass]], 1977
*[[Haydn]]: ''[[Lord Nelson Mass]]'', 1977
:The Westminster Symphonic Choir
:The Westminster Symphonic Choir
:[[Leonard Bernstein]] and the [[New York Philharmonic]]
:[[Leonard Bernstein]] and the [[New York Philharmonic]]
:[[Columbia Records|Columbia]] *Nominated
:[[Columbia Records|Columbia]] (Nominated)


==Symphonic performances==
==Symphonic performances==
The Westminster Symphonic Choir has performed with many major orchestras and conductors including: [[New York Philharmonic]], [[Philadelphia Orchestra]], [[National Symphony Orchestra (United States)|National Symphony Orchestra]], [[NBC Symphony Orchestra]], [[Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra]], [[Boston Symphony Orchestra]], [[Cleveland Orchestra]], [[Atlanta Symphony Orchestra]], [[San Francisco Symphony Orchestra]], [[New Jersey Symphony Orchestra]], [[Chicago Symphony Orchestra]], and [[Los Angeles Philharmonic]]. The Symphonic Choir, under the direction of Westminster's Director of Choral Activities, has sung at individual performances of large orchestral/choral works with professional orchestras conducted by [[Claudio Abbado]], [[Daniel Barenboim]], [[Leonard Bernstein]], [[Herbert von Karajan]], [[Eugene Ormandy]], [[William Steinberg]], [[Leopold Stokowski]], [[Charles Dutoit]], [[Neville Marriner]], [[Nicholas McGegan]], [[Arturo Toscanini]], and [[Bruno Walter]], and such contemporary figures as [[Pierre Boulez]], [[Mariss Jansons]], [[Erich Leinsdorf]], [[James Levine]], [[Zdeněk Mácal]], [[Kurt Masur]], [[Lorin Maazel]], [[Michael Tilson Thomas]], [[Riccardo Muti]], [[Claudio Abbado]], [[Seiji Ozawa]], [[Wolfgang Sawallisch]], [[Robert Shaw (conductor)|Robert Shaw]], [[Zubin Mehta]], [[Albert Wolff (conductor)|Albert Wolff]], and [[Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos]]. The choir has also received numerous invitations over the years to sing with such touring orchestras as the [[Berlin Philharmonic]], the [[Berlin State Opera Orchestra]], the [[Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra]], the [[Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra]], the Korean Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra, the [[Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra]], and the [[Vienna Philharmonic]] when these orchestras have come to perform in [[New York City]] and [[Philadelphia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rider.edu/wcc/about-us/historic-wcc/westminster-symphonic-choir-performances|title=Westminster Symphonic Choir Performances}}</ref>
The Westminster Symphonic Choir has performed with many major orchestras and conductors including: [[New York Philharmonic]], [[Philadelphia Orchestra]], [[National Symphony Orchestra (United States)|National Symphony Orchestra]], [[NBC Symphony Orchestra]], [[Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra]], [[Boston Symphony Orchestra]], [[Cleveland Orchestra]], [[Atlanta Symphony Orchestra]], [[San Francisco Symphony Orchestra]], [[New Jersey Symphony Orchestra]], [[Chicago Symphony Orchestra]], and [[Los Angeles Philharmonic]]. The Symphonic Choir, under the direction of Westminster's Director of Choral Activities, has sung at individual performances of large orchestral/choral works with professional orchestras conducted by [[Claudio Abbado]], [[Daniel Barenboim]], [[Leonard Bernstein]], [[Herbert von Karajan]], [[Eugene Ormandy]], [[William Steinberg]], [[Leopold Stokowski]], [[Charles Dutoit]], [[Neville Marriner]], [[Nicholas McGegan]], [[Arturo Toscanini]], and [[Bruno Walter]], and such contemporary figures as [[Pierre Boulez]], [[Mariss Jansons]], [[Erich Leinsdorf]], [[James Levine]], [[Zdeněk Mácal]], [[Kurt Masur]], [[Lorin Maazel]], [[Michael Tilson Thomas]], [[Riccardo Muti]], [[Claudio Abbado]], [[Seiji Ozawa]], [[Wolfgang Sawallisch]], [[Robert Shaw (conductor)|Robert Shaw]], [[Zubin Mehta]], [[Albert Wolff (conductor)|Albert Wolff]], and [[Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos]]. The choir has also received numerous invitations over the years to sing with such touring orchestras as the [[Berlin Philharmonic]], the [[Berlin State Opera Orchestra]], the [[Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra]], the [[Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra]], the Korean Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra, the [[Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra]], and the [[Vienna Philharmonic]] when these orchestras have come to perform in [[New York City]] and [[Philadelphia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rider.edu/wcc/about-us/historic-wcc/westminster-symphonic-choir-performances|title=Westminster Symphonic Choir Performances}}</ref> Since the move of WCC in 2020 to Rider University's Lawrenceville campus, WCC has collaborated with the Orchestra of St. Luke's, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and the Princeton Symphony.


==Notable people==
==Notable people==
Line 130: Line 134:
*[[Ken Cowan]], Coordinator of Organ and Sacred Music, 2006–2012
*[[Ken Cowan]], Coordinator of Organ and Sacred Music, 2006–2012
*[[Faith Esham]], Adjunct Assistant Professor of Voice since 2000
*[[Faith Esham]], Adjunct Assistant Professor of Voice since 2000
*[[Joseph Flummerfelt]], distinguished Professor of Choral Conducting, 1971–2004
*[[Joseph Flummerfelt]], distinguished Professor of Choral Conducting, 1971–2004. Deceased.
*[[Zehava Gal]], Adjunct Associate Professor of Voice since 1994
*[[Zehava Gal]], Adjunct Associate Professor of Voice since 1994
*[[James Jordan (conductor)|James Jordan]], Professor of Choral Music and Senior Conductor since 1991
*[[James Jordan (conductor)|James Jordan]], Professor of Choral Music and Senior Conductor since 1991
Line 158: Line 162:
*[[Norman Mackenzie (conductor)|Norman Mackenzie]], multiple [[Grammy|Grammy Award]] winning director of the [[Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus|Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus]]
*[[Norman Mackenzie (conductor)|Norman Mackenzie]], multiple [[Grammy|Grammy Award]] winning director of the [[Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus|Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus]]
*[[Warren Martin]], composer and conductor of classical music
*[[Warren Martin]], composer and conductor of classical music
*[[Dorothy Maynor]] (Rooks), concert soprano, music educator, founder of the Harlem School of the Arts
*[[Dorothy Maynor]] (Rooks), concert soprano, music educator, founder of [[the Harlem School of the Arts]]
⚫
*[[Monét X Change]] (Kevin Bertin), drag artist and singer
*[[Donald Nally]], conductor and opera chorus master, [[Chicago Lyric Opera]]
*[[Donald Nally]], conductor and opera chorus master, [[Chicago Lyric Opera]]
*[[Eric Nelson (musician)|Eric Nelson]], Director of Choral Studies at [[Emory University]]
*[[Eric Nelson (musician)|Eric Nelson]], Director of Choral Studies at [[Emory University]]
Line 168: Line 173:
*[[Michael Sylvester (tenor)|Michael Sylvester]], internationally acclaimed tenor
*[[Michael Sylvester (tenor)|Michael Sylvester]], internationally acclaimed tenor
*[[Olav Anton Thommessen]], [[Norway|Norwegian]] composer and professor of composition at the [[Norwegian Academy of Music]]
*[[Olav Anton Thommessen]], [[Norway|Norwegian]] composer and professor of composition at the [[Norwegian Academy of Music]]
⚫
*[[Monét X Change]] (Kevin Bertin), drag artist and singer


==See also==
==See also==
Line 187: Line 191:


[[Category:Westminster Choir College| ]]
[[Category:Westminster Choir College| ]]
[[Category:1926 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:1926 establishments in Ohio]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Mercer County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Mercer County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Music schools in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Music schools in New Jersey]]

Revision as of 17:50, 23 April 2024

Westminster Choir College
MottoLatin: Spectemur agendo
Motto in English
Let us be judged by our deeds
TypePrivate
Established1926
Endowment$20 million
PresidentGregory G. Dell'Omo
DeanKelly Bidle
Academic staff
75
Undergraduates120
Postgraduates30
Location
Dayton, OH (1926–1929), Ithaca, NY (1929–1932), Princeton, NJ (1932–2020), Lawrenceville, NJ (2020– )
,
United States
ColorsPurple and gold   
MascotNone
Websitewww.rider.edu/wcc

Westminster Choir College (WCC) is a historic conservatory of music currently operating on the campus of Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Rider's College of Arts and Sciences, the college under which the historic institution has been reorganized, consists of Westminster Choir College as well as three additional schools.

The Choir College was previously an independent school, located first in Dayton, Ohio (1926–1929), then Ithaca, New York (1929–1932), and for most of its history in Princeton, New Jersey (1932–2020). It merged with Rider University in 1992, continuing to occupy the historic campus in Downtown Princeton. Rider University controversially attempted to monetize and sell the school in 2019, an issue under ongoing litigation by numerous plaintiffs. After a failed sale to Kaiwen Education Technology (formerly Jiansu Zhongtai Steel Structure Company), a for-profit enterprise owned solely by the Chinese government, Rider abandoned the Princeton campus and moved Westminster's programs to the University's main campus in Lawrenceville.

History

1920–1932: Presbyterian beginnings to the creation of a college

In 1920 John Finley Williamson founded the Westminster Choir at the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Dayton, Ohio. In 1926, he established the Westminster Choir School. The school started with a faculty of ten, and sixty students. The graduates came to be known as Ministers of Music, a term coined by Williamson and still used today by many church music programs. The sound of the choir in its early days was heavily influenced by the work of F. Melius Christiansen and The St. Olaf Choir, however the choir quickly developed its own sound that more closely resembled English choirs.

Dayton Westminster Choir at Berliner Philharmonie in 1929

In 1922, the choir, then known as the Dayton Westminster Choir, began touring the United States annually, singing in Carnegie Hall (New York City), nearby Cincinnati Music Hall (Cincinnati), Symphony Hall (Boston), the Academy of Music (Philadelphia), Orchestra Hall (Chicago) and the White House for President Calvin Coolidge. The Choir made its first commercial recording with RCA Victor in 1926; recordings with other major conductors and orchestras followed.

In 1928, the Choir and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leopold Stokowski made the nation's first coast-to-coast broadcast on Cincinnati radio station WLW. By a few years later, the Choir made a total of 60 half-hour broadcasts from NBC's New York facilities.

On March 9, 1929, the Choir performed at the White House for newly inaugurated President Herbert Hoover.[1] Years later, the Choir also sang for Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Lyndon B. Johnson.

The first European tour took place in 1929 and was sponsored by Dayton philanthropist Katharine Houk Talbott and endorsed by Walter Damrosch, conductor of the New York Symphony Orchestra. The tour included 26 concerts in major cities of Europe.

Originally a three-year program, the Choir School moved to Ithaca College in New York State in 1929 and enlarged its curriculum to a four-year program culminating in a Bachelor of Music degree. A major reason for the move involved the need to be able to reach the major cities of Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York by rail. All three were cities that sought the choir under Williamson.

1932–1991: Independent music school in Princeton

In 1932, the choir school relocated to Princeton, New Jersey, which became its long-term home. Classes were held in the First Presbyterian Church and the Princeton Seminary until 1934, when the school moved to its own campus. This was made possible by a large gift from the Ohio philanthropist Sophia Strong Taylor. The dedication of the new campus was marked by a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach's Mass in B minor at the Princeton University Chapel with the Westminster Choir, soloists, and the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Leopold Stokowski. The services of the soloists, orchestra, and conductor were a gift from Stokowski.

Williamson Hall, Westminster Choir College

There was a second European choir tour in 1934 lasting nine weeks and highlighted by a live radio broadcast from Russia to the United States. In the 14 years since its founding in 1920, the choir already had two European tours, which earned it international acclaim and a campus of its own. The State of New Jersey in 1939 granted the choir school accreditation and the name Westminster Choir College was adopted.

In years to come, under Williamson's leadership, the choir would begin having regular concerts with the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra. The Westminster Choir sang with the New York Philharmonic for the first time in 1939, conducted by Sir John Barbirolli. Since that time, the choir has sung over three hundred performances with the Philharmonic, a record number for a single choir to perform with an orchestra. Later that year, the choir sang with the NBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Arturo Toscanini. That same year the choir, directed by Williamson, sang at the dedication of the New York World's Fair, which was broadcast to 53 countries.

In 1957, under the auspices of the U.S. State Department Cultural Exchange Program, the choir undertook a five-month world tour, concertizing in 22 countries, covering 40,000 miles (64,000 km) and appearing before approximately a quarter-million people.

Williamson retired as President of Westminster Choir College in 1958. Shortly after his death, in accordance with his request, his ashes were scattered on his beloved campus on July 3, 1964. This was said to have taken place during the performance of the Verdi Requiem with the Westminster Festival Choir, soloists, and the Festival Orchestra conducted by maestro Eugene Ormandy. This performance on the Westminster campus was part of the Tercentennial Celebration of the State of New Jersey. The following day, a memorial service for Williamson was held in the College Chapel.

In 1976, the choir college celebrated its 50th anniversary, highlighted by a performance of Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra conducted by Robert Shaw, alumni soloists, and the Westminster Alumni Choir on the Princeton University campus. Despite a promising future at the 50th anniversary, Westminster soon began to see its prospects for continued existence threatened. Facilities on the campus fell into disrepair, and Erdman Hall was ultimately condemned as unfit for use. Recognizing that the college could not continue in this path, Westminster was faced with two options: either find a larger university to merge with, or close.

1991–2017: Merger with Rider University and maintenance of dual campuses

Entrance sign for the college as seen in 2019, which speaks to its relationship with its parent
Entrance sign for the college as seen in 2019, which speaks to its relationship with its parent

Several schools, including nearby Princeton University as well as Drew University, Yale University, The Curtis Institute of Music, and The Juilliard School, all had an interest in purchasing Westminster Choir College. The desire of Westminster to remain in its historic campus resulted in an arrangement with the nearby Rider College.[2] In 1992, following a year of affiliation, Rider College merged with Westminster Choir College and the music school became a part of the newly created Rider University. Despite promises that Rider would maintain the Westminster Choir College campus in Princeton, two years later, Rider President J. Barton Luedeke began exploring a move that would relocate WCC to Lawrenceville, New Jersey, to be with the rest of Rider University.[3] By 1996, the choir college appeared to have a vibrant fiscal future in Princeton, operating in the black, thanks to increased enrollment and donations.[4] One year later Erdman Hall was renovated, restored, and reopened as the Presser Music Center at Erdman Hall, featuring teaching studios, a keyboard laboratory, voice library and resource center, and new classroom space.

Despite the optimistic future in the 1990s, by the early 2000s Rider University determined Westminster Choir College either must create an even stronger fiscal future or face closure. Looking for a way to control costs and more effectively create synergies between the two campuses of Rider University (Westminster's and the main campus), in November 2007, Rider University President Mordechai Rozanski announced the creation of the Westminster College of the Arts. Westminster College of the Arts was envisioned to integrate Rider and Westminster more successfully, and create a new culture and environment of artistic excellence on both campuses. Westminster Choir College continued to educate Westminster College of the Arts students in the fields of piano, composition, voice, organ, choral conducting, sacred music, and music education. The newly formed School of Fine and Performing Arts served as the gateway to receiving a degree in musical theatre, arts administration, and music, as well as a non-professional degree (B.A. in Fine Arts) in music, dance, and theater.[5] The creation of Westminster College of the Arts sparked heated debate among administrators, students, alumni and faculty that highlighted the divide between Rider's Princeton and Lawrenceville campuses.[6]

Westminster formed the Princeton University Program with nearby Princeton University. By reciprocal arrangement, Westminster students, except freshmen, may petition to take courses at Princeton. Generally, no cost is involved beyond tuition charges at Westminster. Students are limited to one course per term, to fall or spring enrollment and to courses not offered by Westminster. The program is limited to 10 students per semester, selection and approval being made by academic deans at both institutions. In return, ten select students of Princeton University study and take courses at Westminster each semester.

In 2005, Westminster unveiled an ambitious master plan calling for upgrades including a new building, the first to be created on the campus under Rider University's stewardship.[7] The choir college also entered a cooperative agreement with the Princeton Regional Schools, allowing for up to 40 Westminster performances per year in their newly created Regional Performing Arts Center (located in Princeton High School across the street), alleviating Westminster's struggle from having no dedicated, large performance space on the campus.[8]

The lack of a large concert venue was solved in 2013 when the State of New Jersey allotted $4.6 million to Rider University to be spent on new academic facilities for Westminster's campus. Combined with donations from alumni and other supporters of the conservatory, the funds spent on this project far exceeded $5 million. Opened in 2014, the complex is named the Marion Buckelew Cullen Center in honor of the philanthropist who died in 2012 and made a $5 million bequest to Westminster Choir College. The new building contains a 3,000-square-foot performance and rehearsal hall named the Hillman Performance Hall, in recognition of the Henry L. Hillman Foundation, which provided a $3 million grant to support the project. In addition to the performance/rehearsal hall, the Cullen Center includes a large lobby, a green room, and three flexibly configured classrooms that accommodate a wide range of academic and choral uses. The Cullen Center also includes an integrated connection to The Playhouse that provides improved audience access and amenities. To maximize the opportunities the project offers for enhancing The Playhouse itself, the college secured $1.5 million to upgrade this building that has played such an important role in Westminster's history. Ground was broken for the project in the summer of 2013 and the Cullen Center was completed by spring 2015.[9] Currently, as a result of the college's move to Lawrenceville, the Cullen Center sits abandoned with no plans for future use.

2017–present: Move to Lawrenceville

On March 28, 2017, after months of speculation following an announcement by Rider that it was again considering moving the Westminster students to the Lawrenceville campus and selling the Princeton campus due to purported financial problems, it was decided by the Board of Trustees that Rider would, instead, attempt to sell WCC to a new affiliate partner. A timeline of 12 months was established with hopes that a buyer would be found in the upcoming year.

Fearing that Westminster could be made to shutter its doors and cease its mission, a large ensemble of students, alumni, faculty, community members, and others gathered at the Lawrenceville campus for a silent protest on the morning of the vote. They sang the school's "alma mater" – "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" by Peter Lutkin – numerous times, hoping to convince the trustees not to silence the college.

On February 26, 2018, Rider announced its intention to sell Westminster to Kaiwen Education Technology (formerly Jiansu Zhongtai Steel Structure Company), a for-profit enterprise owned solely by the Chinese government.[10] This created widespread speculation that it was President Gregory G. Dell'Omo's intention to scuttle the college. This was also reported in a March 2018 Bloomberg Business News article which said that Beijing Kaiwen Education Technology Company had agreed to pay $40 million for the college.[11] The sale subsequently faced opposition from state politicians on grounds of national security, and lawsuits from Westminster alumni and donors and the Princeton Theological Seminary alleging, among other things, violation of IRS regulations[12] and of previous agreements governing the Princeton campus.[13]

On July 1, 2019, it was announced that Beijing Kaiwen was withdrawing from the proposed purchase. This was followed by news that Rider would relocate Westminster's programs to the Lawrenceville campus in September 2020.[13] At Rider University's convocation exercises on August 29, 2019, Dell'Omo announced that the relocation of Westminster and the sale of a large portion of Westminster's Princeton campus would directly benefit Rider University's ongoing campus investments.[14]

Westminster Choir College officially relocated to Rider's Lawrenceville campus in fall 2020, operating under remote instruction because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the Westminster College of the Arts merged with the Rider University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to create the College of Arts and Sciences of which Westminster Choir College is a school. Enrollment has plummeted, and students have lodged numerous complaints as to the suitability of Rider's facilities.[15]

As of February 2023, the Princeton campus is still being used by Westminster Conservatory (the University's community music school), for outside rentals, and for a small number of Westminster Choir College rehearsals and performances. Rider University has also rented the parking lot to Princeton Council, garnering roughly $2000 per month.[16] The status of the campus continues to be uncertain as Rider University is being sued in two separate lawsuits involving alumni, faculty, students, and the Princeton Theological Seminary.[17][18]

Grammy Awards

Talbott Library Learning Center
Westminster Williamson Voices,
James Jordan, Ariana Zukerman, and The Lincoln Trio with Bharat Chandra
Naxos Records (Nominated)
  • Dvořák: Requiem; Symphony No.9 From the New World, 2000
The Westminster Symphonic Choir
Zdeněk Mácal and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
Delos Records
The Westminster Symphonic Choir
Riccardo Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra
Angel/EMI (Nominated)
  • Barber: Anthony & Cleopatra, 1983
The Westminster Symphonic Choir
C. Badea and the Spoleto Festival Orchestra
New World Records
The Westminster Symphonic Choir
Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic
Columbia (Nominated)

Symphonic performances

The Westminster Symphonic Choir has performed with many major orchestras and conductors including: New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, NBC Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Los Angeles Philharmonic. The Symphonic Choir, under the direction of Westminster's Director of Choral Activities, has sung at individual performances of large orchestral/choral works with professional orchestras conducted by Claudio Abbado, Daniel Barenboim, Leonard Bernstein, Herbert von Karajan, Eugene Ormandy, William Steinberg, Leopold Stokowski, Charles Dutoit, Neville Marriner, Nicholas McGegan, Arturo Toscanini, and Bruno Walter, and such contemporary figures as Pierre Boulez, Mariss Jansons, Erich Leinsdorf, James Levine, Zdeněk Mácal, Kurt Masur, Lorin Maazel, Michael Tilson Thomas, Riccardo Muti, Claudio Abbado, Seiji Ozawa, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Robert Shaw, Zubin Mehta, Albert Wolff, and Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos. The choir has also received numerous invitations over the years to sing with such touring orchestras as the Berlin Philharmonic, the Berlin State Opera Orchestra, the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Korean Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and the Vienna Philharmonic when these orchestras have come to perform in New York City and Philadelphia.[19] Since the move of WCC in 2020 to Rider University's Lawrenceville campus, WCC has collaborated with the Orchestra of St. Luke's, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and the Princeton Symphony.

Notable people

Ithaca Hall on the later Princeton campus, honoring the previous 1929–1932 location of the college

Past and present faculty

Alumni

See also

References

  1. ^ Ruth Fesler Lipman papers, Hoover Presidential Library
  2. ^ Ginsburg, Elisabeth (1993-03-07). "Westminster Choir College - A Merger's New Challenges". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-09-05.
  3. ^ Ginsburg, Elisabeth (1994-07-10). "Choir College May Get New Address". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-09-05.
  4. ^ Kandell, Leslie (1996-04-21). "A Choir School Is Singing Its Ode to Joy Again". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-09-05.
  5. ^ "School of Fine and Performing Arts". Rider University. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  6. ^ Scanlon, Jess (2010-12-02). "All for One or One for All?: Cultural differences = divide between campuses". The Rider News. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  7. ^ "Master Plan and New Academic Building". KSS Architects. Retrieved 2010-09-05.
  8. ^ "Westminster Celebrates Opening of Princeton High School Performing Arts Center". Rider University. 2006-10-12. Archived from the original on September 6, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ^ "New Building Construction at Westminster". Rider University. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  10. ^ Shea, Kevin (March 4, 2018). "Chinese firm buying choir college also builds steel bridges, worrying faculty". NJ.com. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  11. ^ Einhorn, Bruce; Li, Hui (March 20, 2018). "Chinese Companies Are Buying Up Cash-Strapped U.S. Colleges". Bloomberg News.
  12. ^ Obernauer, Eric (March 15, 2019). "Wirths seeks to block Chinese purchase of N.J. music college". New Jersey Herald. Archived from the original on March 23, 2019.
  13. ^ a b Seltzer, Rick (July 2, 2019). "Westminster Choir College sale scrapped, but Rider University returns to campus consolidation plans". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
  14. ^ Neukam, Stephen (September 4, 2019). "Rider looks to consolidate Westminster, faces new litigation". The Rider News. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
  15. ^ "Westminster Students Say Rider's Response to Petition Ignores Their Concerns | Town Topics". Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  16. ^ Writer, LEA KAHN, Staff (2022-09-28). "Princeton Council renews parking lot agreement with Rider University". centraljersey.com. Retrieved 2023-07-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ Siock, Sarah (March 31, 2021). "Princeton campus remains unsold a year after two lawsuit dismissals". The Rider News. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  18. ^ Kahn, Leah (July 12, 2023). "Battle of Westminster Choir College move continues". CentralNJ.com. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  19. ^ "Westminster Symphonic Choir Performances".

External links

40°21′22″N 74°39′10″W / 40.35624°N 74.65291°W / 40.35624; -74.65291

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Westminster_Choir_College&oldid=1220421492"