RIDER, Dale G.
RIDER, GLEASON, HOUSTON, CLOTHIER
Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/30/2016 at 20:56:52
Biography ~ Dale G. Rider
Dale G. Rider, MSM, CAGO is a life-long Community of Christ member. In February 1969 he auditioned before Franklyn S. Weddle and John Obetz and was appointed to the staff organist team at International Headquarters to begin playing recitals that summer. During 1971–1973 he earned a Master of Sacred Music degree at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio where he was organ graduate teaching assistant and Daily Chapel organist at Weaver Chapel. Study of liturgics and other music-worship courses were taken with the late British musician, Elmer Blackmer. Dale’s study of composition was with Jan Bender, famous Dutch-German composer/organist; voice with Aurora Smith, musical daughter of Clarence Dickinson at Union Seminary; harpsichord with Fulbright scholar/concert artist, Trudy Faber; and conducting with John Williams.
Dale has done considerable post-graduate study, attending numerous Organ and Church Music Institutes at the universities of Kansas and Nebraska, learning from guest artist-teachers Marie-Claire Alain, Robert Baker, Catharine Crozier, Harold Gleason, Arthur Poister, Alec Wyton and others.
Dale earned Associate and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music Education at Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa. His organ study was with Oliver Houston, Jr., and composition with Louita Goode Clothier during a semester independent study. Throughout his junior and senior years, Dale was Campus Organist, accompanying the 80-voice Chapel Choir conducted by Frank K. Hunter.
Dale was one of several young musicians gathered in the early 1960s to form the first “AGO Student Group” of the Greater Kansas City Chapter of American Guild of Organists. Many years later, after university, he served the same Chapter in several capacities, including Bombarde newsletter editor for many years, Chapter Sub-Dean, and Dean during the 1982-83 season. Dale has taken two AGO examinations, earning The Service Playing and The Colleague (CAGO) certificates.
To date, Pam K. Robison and Dale G. Rider remain the two persons who had been Community of Christ staff organists for the longest period of time.
In 2010 Dale became Organist and Composer-in-Residence at historic First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) off the Square in Independence. He was employed by the Independence School District and worked for eight years as a choral accompanist, vocal coach and faculty assistant in the choral department at Truman High School. In February 2015, a new position was created at yet another historic Independence church: Trinity Episcopal Church where Dale is Music Minister/Organist where Bess Truman was a life-long member and was married Harry S. Truman. The choir at Trinity Church is quartet of advanced university students for whom Dale creates an extensive number of musical arrangements and new scripture-based compositions for each Sunday’s liturgy.
In 2013, Dale’s career came full circle, returning to a mix of printing and music-making. Concurrent with his ministry at Trinity Church, Dale is employed at Central Mission Center, Community of Christ as printing specialist, serving 36 congregations of the denomination in their various needs for printing, including unique weekly service bulletins and announcement inserts for each congregation.
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There are about twenty-five volunteer organists on the staff of the Community of Christ World Headquarters, and principal organist Jan Kraybill.
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First Christian Church, Independence, Missouri, March 10, 2015
Dale Rider leaves as church organist
Church organist Dale Rider is taking a new position as organist at Trinity Episcopal Church in Independence at the end of March.
A farewell reception will be held Sunday, March 15th, directly following the 10:45 worship service. Please come and give Dale a big send off. There will be a basket for card.
Dale served as First Christian Church organist for nearly five years.
Dale shared these thoughts on his development as a church musician writing:
"Although I was raised in a non-liturgical denomination and love and support it still primarily as a member of the Community of Christ (RLDS) International Headquarter's organ staff, playing demo recitals for visitors, Daily Prayer for Peace services, high school graduation ceremonies, and services for the Triennial World Conferences at the The Auditorium and The Temple.
"It was in Feb., 1969, that I answered an invitation to audition before Franklyn S. Weddle and Dr. John W. Obetz. There were a couple of hiatuses for graduate school in Ohio and an extended illness, but I am immeasurably grateful for the many years (and continuing) and the experiences playing organs with 100+ ranks of stops and meeting people from every corner of Earth."
At Trinity, Dale will be the Organist & Minister of Music, selecting hymns, anthems for a professional quartet of student vocalist/ music majors from UMKC's Conservatory of Music and directing their preparation and presentation of music in worship.
We wish Dale all the best in his new position and appreciate the wonderful music he has shared with us over the years.
SOURCES:
The Examiner. September 10, 2013.
cofchrist.org/staff/505988/Rider-Dale
fccindepmo.org/church-news/dale-rider-to-leave-as-church-organist8Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2016
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