Grammy-Winning Conductor Is Rider’s New Director Of Choral Studies

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Grammy-winning conductor Donald Nally has been named director of choral studies for Westminster Choir College of Rider University.

The three-time Grammy Award winner joined the full-time faculty this fall as conductor of the Westminster Choir and the Westminster Symphonic Choir and head of the graduate conducting program.

In his new role, he will guide students as they cultivate their musicianship and artistry, and help set the trajectory for the College’s choral ensembles.

He will continue to work with graduate conducting students in the Master of Music program.

Nally studied with Joseph Flummerfelt and earned his Master of Music degree from Westminster Choir College. “Graduates of Westminster Choir College are unusually connected through a shared experience of high-level music-making and extraordinary community,” Nally said.

“Few have the privilege and honor to serve as the leader of the program we all loved; the responsibility is both daunting and exhilarating. My work on campus with the choirs has been, not surprisingly, inspiring and joyful, and I look forward to a thoughtful dialogue with students, colleagues, administration and alumni in finding the right direction for Westminster as we explore historical music as well as music of today — music that will help shape the future of our art.”

Nally has commissioned nearly 200 works and produced 36 recordings with his ensemble, The Crossing.

The group has earned 10 Grammy nominations with three wins. The Crossing is dedicated to new music, exploring and expanding the ways of writing, singing and listening to choral music.

“There is no one I trust more than Donald Nally to help shape our school’s future,” Jason Vodicka ’03, ’09, associate dean of Rider's College of Arts and Sciences and associate professor of music education at Westminster Choir College, said in a statement.

“I continue to be impressed by his vision, his leadership, and his focus on our students. His career in opera, education, and professional choral singing make him the perfect choice for our next director of choral studies.”

Nally, who holds the title of John W. Beattie Chair of Music Emeritus at Northwestern University, is a frequent guest artist at universities, including Yale, Harvard, Rice, the University of Chicago, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Indiana University and Boston Conservatory.

In 2019, Rider University awarded Nally an honorary Doctorate of Humanities.

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