Rider University Graduating Senior Anthony Baron Heads to University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music

Related Media

Anthony Baron

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ (05/10/2011)(readMedia)-- During his four years of study at Westminster Choir College of Rider University, Anthony Baron of White Lake, Mich., a senior Piano and Voice Performance major, has had the opportunity to sing Beethoven's Ninth Symphony on the stage of Carnegie Hall, to serve as an assistant musical conductor for a musical theater production, and to study with some of the greatest musical minds of the country.

Baron, who will walk during Westminster's Commencement ceremony on May 14, said those experiences have prepared him for life beyond college and inspired him to continue studying music at the graduate level in order to pursue his goals of performing and teaching music at a college or conservatory. He will begin his graduate studies at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in the fall.

As an undergraduate student, Baron has excelled as a scholar, musician and leader. He has been selected to the Dean's List on six occasions, been named to Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, and has received Rider's Undergraduate Research Scholar Award (URSA). As a 2009-2010 URSA recipient, Baron conducted research to show how Chopin incorporated elements of the Bellini Bel Canto Operatic style in his Piano Nocturne writing.

For three consecutive years, Baron earned first prize scholarships in the Piano and Organ Audition and Scholarship Competition, and in 2010, he placed second in the competition for Voice Scholarship. He also received the Westminster Choir College Composition Award in 2008, and each year from 2007 to 2011, earned the Westminster Choir College John Finley Williamson Award. In addition, Baron served as president of the Student Government Association and treasurer of the Class of 2011.

Recently, Baron received the prestigious 2011 President's Award during the Westminster Convocation ceremony. Baron was recognized again for his achievements during the University's Awards Banquet on April 30 on the Lawrenceville campus. Baron said he was incredibly humbled to receive the honor.

"During my four years at Westminster Choir College it was my hope to not only grow as a person but help the community grow as well," he said. "To be selected from what I am sure was a remarkable group of some of Westminster Choir College's best and brightest musicians is an honor I will remember my entire life, and continue to strive towards making myself the best person I can be, and to always remember that with that personal growth must come an interest in giving back and making your community the strongest and most vibrant place it can be."