Rider University has been awarded a $95,000 grant from The Presser Foundation to support the renovation of a rehearsal room in the Fine Arts Building. The space will be transformed into a multi-use area for teaching, choral and chamber music rehearsals, and recital presentations. The renovated space will be named The Presser Foundation Recital Hall.
The renovation will include technology for audio recording and live streaming, allowing audiences to enjoy student recitals and performances virtually. Significant adjustments to the room's acoustics are also planned to ensure sound quality suitable for piano and voice recitals.
“Recitals are a key outcome for students in the Westminster Choir College programs and an essential experience for any student studying music,” said Jason Vodicka, associate dean of Rider’s College of Arts and Sciences and associate professor of music education at Westminster Choir College. “The renovation of the room will also enhance the classroom experience for musical theatre and music production programs and provide much-needed rehearsal space.”
The new recital hall will add a third performance space in the Fine Arts Building, which already includes the Yvonne Theater and Spitz Theater. Rider University hosts more than 30 student recitals annually, along with over 18 hours of choral rehearsals per week, as well as additional faculty and guest artist performances throughout each semester.
The work is expected to be completed by the fall semester.
“We are grateful to The Presser Foundation for their continued support of the enhancement of our programs,” Vodicka said.
The Presser Foundation has a longstanding history of supporting music education at Rider University. The Fine Arts Building houses the Presser Voice Lab and The Presser Foundation Bell Choir Rehearsal Room. Additionally, one Rider music student is selected each year as a Presser Scholar, an honor that includes a monetary award.
The Presser Foundation provides philanthropic support for musical arts in various forms while striving to serve a broad community of musicians, educators, and music enthusiasts.
