Dale Rider

Dale G. Rider, MSM, CAGO, is beginning his eighth season as Organist and Choir Accompanist at Northern Boulevard United Methodist church in the western suburb of Independence called Englewood. He has just completed his fifth year as a choral accompanist, vocal coach, and a faculty assistant at Truman High School.

A life-long Community of Christ member, Dale auditioned and was appointed a volunteer staff organist at International Headquarters in May 1969. During the years 1971-1973 he earned his Master of Sacred Music degree at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. He was organ graduate teaching assistant to Dr. Frederick Jackisch and also had responsibility as organist for daily chapel in Weaver Chapel. Study of liturgics and other worship courses were with the late Elmer Blackmer; his study of composition was with Jan Bender, famous Dutch-German composer/organist; voice with Aurora Smith, and harpsichord with Fulbright scholar/concert artist, Trudy Faber. Dale has done considerable post-graduate study at many of the University of Kansas and Nebraska Organ and Church Music Institutes in the late 1970’s and 80’s.

He earned Associate and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music Education at Graceland College, Lamoni, Iowa. His organ study was with Oliver Houston, Jr., and composition with Louita Goode Clothier during an 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 1960’s to form the first “Student Group” of the Greater Kansas City Chapter of American Guild of Organists.  After university, he served the same Chapter in several capacities, including newsletter editor for many years, Sub-Dean, and Chapter Dean during the 1982-83 season. Dale has passed two AGO examinations, earning The Service Playing and The Colleague (CAGO) certificates.