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Westminster Choir College / School of Media and Performing Arts • Lawrenceville, New Jersey
Quick Take
Westminster College of the Arts at Rider University offers BFA musical theater training alongside classical and jazz programs between Philadelphia and New York. Known for strong merit scholarships and dedicated faculty, the program provides conservatory-quality training with access to both major Northeast theater markets.
Rider Westminster at a Glance
| Program | |
| School / Division | Rider University Westminster Choir College / School of Media and Performing Arts |
| Setting | private |
| Reliigous Affliation | none |
| Program Size | small |
| Genres / Styles | musical theatre |
| Primary Instrument | bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice |
| Areas of Study | church music, composition, conducting, jazz, music education, musical theatre, performance |
| Degrees Offered | Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, Doctorate, Master’s |
| Musical Selectivity | selective |
| NASM Accreditation | Yes |
| Admissions | |
| Academic Selectivity | moderately selective |
| Average GPA | 3.3 |
| Application Deadline | Dec 1 (priority) | Feb 1 (regular) |
| Auditions | |
| Audition | is required |
| Audition Competitiveness | competitive |
| Audition Window | Nov–Mar |
| Prescreening | is not required |
| Location | |
| City / State | Lawrenceville, New Jersey |
Always confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the Rider Westminster website
.
Program Overview
The music program at Rider Westminster is small in size and a .
Music Genre/Style Strengths
Rider Westminster supports the following musical genres/styles: musical theatre. At some schools, students can explore multiple styles while developing strong technical and artistic foundations within their primary genre.
Visit the Rider Westminster website for more specific information on the music genres/styles it supports.
Primary Instruments
Students at Rider Westminster can pursue study across a range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students study privately with faculty on their primary instrument while participating in ensembles and collaborative performances.
Visit the Rider Westminster website for more specific information about their support for studies on specific instruments.
Music Studies Offered at Rider Westminster
Students at Rider Westminster can pursue degrees focused on church music, composition, conducting, jazz, music education, musical theatre, performance. Music degree programs typically combine private instruction, ensemble participation, music theory coursework, and performance opportunities designed to prepare students for careers in music.
Visit the Rider Westminster website for more specific information on the programs of study it offers.
Acceptance
Musical acceptance at Rider Westminster is selective. Academically, it is moderately selective, with accepted students having an average GPA of 3.3. (Unlike academic programs, music admissions typically emphasize performance and artistic potential.) The application deadline for Rider Westminster is Dec 1 (priority) | Feb 1 (regular) of each year.
Visit the Rider Westminster website to confirm acceptance information and deadlines.
Auditions
An audition is required at Rider Westminster, and the school's auditions are considered to be competitive. The audition window is Nov–Mar of each year. A pre-screening video or portfolio is not required.
Visit the Rider Westminster website for more specific information on auditions.
Location and Music Scene
Rider's suburban Lawrenceville campus sits between Philadelphia and New York City, giving students easy access to two major professional theater markets and the regional theater corridor of the Northeast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rider Westminster hard to get into?
Admission to Rider Westminster is considered selective for music and moderately selective academically. At most schools, the audition carries significant weight. Admitted students need to demonstrate performance ability and artistic potential in addition to meeting academic requirements.
Do I need a prescreening video to audition at Rider Westminster?
A prescreening video or portfolio submission at Rider Westminster.
Prescreening requirements vary significantly from school to school, and sometimes by instrument or area of study, so it's worth checking directly with the admissions office to confirm what's expected for your specific application.
What instruments can I study at Rider Westminster?
supports study across a wide range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students typically study privately with a faculty member on their primary instrument while also participating in ensembles and collaborative performance opportunities.
Instrument availability and faculty depth can vary. If you play something less common, it's worth reaching out to the department directly to confirm faculty availability before you apply.
What GPA do I need for Rider Westminster?
Admitted students at Rider Westminster have an average GPA of 3.3. Keep in mind that this is an average. Some admitted students come in above it, some below, depending on the strength of the overall application and, especially, the audition.
Music programs tend to weigh audition performance heavily, which means a particularly strong musical candidate may be admitted even if their GPA is below the typical range. The reverse is also true. Academic strength alone won't compensate for a weak audition.
What is the application deadline for Rider Westminster?
The application deadline for Rider Westminster is Dec 1 (priority) | Feb 1 (regular), with live auditions typically held Nov–Mar. These dates can shift year to year, so it's important to verify directly with the admissions office well in advance.
Music school deadlines often arrive earlier than general college application deadlines, and audition slots can fill up quickly, especially at competitive programs. Getting your application in early is rarely a bad idea.
Information on this page is updated periodically. Always confirm details directly with the school's admissions office.
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