The Westminster Choir College of Rider University

Very very competitive, everyone thinks they are the best, but thats because most of them are. Largest voice faculty in the world, so this is the best music program you will find anywhere. So small, everyone knows everything about everyone. Absolutely nothing to do, weekends are so boring, no parties other than 3 people drinking in a dorm, maybe. Very cliquey, easy to feel alone. They pride themselves on a sense of community, and its true you will leave here knowing your classmates better than anything, that doesnt make it feel like a community. The only fun thing is having Princeton right there, if you can go over there do it, it is the only fun thing at this school, but it also shows you what real college is like. All choir and classical music all day, and sometimes its nice, but even as a choir nerd, it gets to be enough. Just be careful if you choose to go here and know its not real college, but you are getting the best vocal training, in a cut throat place where you will never be the best. It is unlike anywhere else and your classes are focused on what you need, but the faculty is amazing, but they know it and show it. Overall if you want college this isnt it but if you want a place to work you past the point you thought possible and to increase your musicianship, this is it.

2nd Year Female -- Class 2018

Education Quality: A+, Collaboration/Competitive: F

I came to WCC thinking that it was going to be the best experience of my life; boy, was I wrong. Before I go into all the negatie detail, I should probably give you the good first. The school is great if you're either a hardcore religious person, or if you're extremely boring. If you like to just sit in a dorm or in a practice room all the time, then this school is for you. The faculty are actually really good and the Music Ed program is really good, as well. If you're looking for a small, simple, and kind of boring environment, then WCC is the place for you.

But unfortunately, I have more bad to say than good. People here are so so obnoxious. They are so arrogant and think they're going to make it to the Met. Like, hello! There are a billion and one people out there who are just as good, and some aren't even studying voice because they know a performance major is a waste of time! Which is another thing, the performance majors think they're the best thing that ever fell upon this earth. They need to get over themselves. People here are also EXTREMELY closed minded. They don't accept people for who they are, and they act extremely fake. They get mad over little things, yet they'll go and do it themselves. They're too judgmental. No one supports one another and everyone talks about everyone behind their backs; it's very high school. The town is really nice, but it gets boring. There's really no night life either, as everything closes pretty early. Like I stated before, there are two types of people here: the super religious, the alcoholics, and people who are extremely boring. The super religious walk around preaching their religion and the people who are boring, like people who just sit around and do nothing and go to bed by 10 PM on a Friday or Saturday night. There's really no in between here. There are no normal people here, honestly. The frat and the sorority are huge jokes. There is absolutely NO room for creativity here, none, whatsoever. If you like opera and classical and choral music, then by all means, go here. But that's not me at all. And if I ever wanted to sing what I wanted to, I'd get shunned. There is absolutely no room for creative activity or self expression here. It's actually quite sad. Would I recommend this school to anyone? Never. I plan on transferring out after this semester. Granted, I'm changing my major, but if i were to stay as a Music Ed major, I'd probably still transfer. This school has been such a bad experience, but hey, I learned from it, and I guess that's what matters the most.

1st Year Female -- Class 2014

Faculty Accessibility: A+, Collaboration/Competitive: F

WCC is a unique conservatory of music with an emphasis in music education, church music and piano, voice and organ performance. If one has talent and a certain amount of maturity one can have successful experience. However, it is not a place for the faint of heart regardless of skill. Of the just over 100 students enrolled in my freshman class, half were gone by the sophomore year because the competition was very stiff. This is a school that very early on requires that one prove one’s potential to be a professional musician regardless of your major instrument or if you choose to be a performer, educator or church musician. Much of the teaching is excellent though as in most colleges of music the professors can prove a bit eccentric at time. The performance opportunities, both solo and ensemble, are numerous and provided you take advantage of the preparation provided, a successful career in music is yours to lose. You may not become as famous as some graduates have become, but if you will be able to make a respectable living.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000