22nd Annual Honors Recital

The 22nd Annual Rhode Island Honors Recital, sponsored by the Rhode Island Music Education Association, was held on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in America, 75 North Main Street, in Providence.

The outstanding student musicians who will perform participated in the RIMEA Solo & Ensemble Festival in May 2023. They each received a “concert ready” and “Superior” rating from their judges and were invited to audition for members of RIMEA. They were then selected to perform in the 22nd Annual Honors Recital. From over 500 student musicians who performed at the Solo & Ensemble Festival, these eight students were selected to perform in the 22nd Honors Recital.

Abigail Goblick, Akbar Askarov, Jack Paiva, Nathan Comeau, Evan Lei, Rachel Tagen, Jessica Lamoureux, Virginia Martin

The following Rhode Island student musicians performed at the 22nd Rhode Island Annual Honors Recital:

  • Abigail Goblick, piano, Barrington
  • Akbar Askarov, piano, East Greenwich
  • Jack Paiva,piano, North Kingstown
  • Nathan Comeau, trombone, North Smithfield
  • Evan Lei, clarinet, Cranston
  • Rachel Tagen, violin, Saunderstown
  • Jessica Lamoureux, soprano, North Scituate
  • Virginia Martin, piano, Jamestown

The 22nd Annual Honors Recital was dedicated in loving memory to Dr. Edward Drew , the founder of this state-wide music event in 2001. Dr. Edward Drew was born in Boston and was a RI resident from 1949 until he passed away in 2011. Ed Drew was a life-long music educator in Rhode Island and Connecticut. He worked tirelessly to promote musical opportunities for students as well as adults. It was Ed’s concept to form a “retired” branch of the Rhode Island Music Educators Association. One could say that he was a “mover and a shaker”. He was a veteran of the Korean War, and a consummate educator as well as an active performer and founder of the Drew- Corcoran Orchestra performing throughout New England including bringing music into the schools for our young students. His memory lives on through his efforts and initiatives.

The 23rd Annual Honors Recital will be held on June 23, 2024 in the Recital Hall at the Smith Center of the Performing Arts at Providence College.

The Honors Recital is free and open to the public.