24th Annual Honors Recital

The 24th Annual Rhode Island Honors Recital, sponsored by the Rhode Island Music Education Association, took place on Sunday, June 22, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at the RI Philharmonic School's Carter Center, 667 Waterman Ave, in East Providence, RI.

The concert featured student musicians playing piano, guitar, clarinet, trumpet, violin, and cello. The student musicians represent The Prout School, North Smithfield HS, East Greenwich HS, Franklin HS, Moses Brown, Archie Cole MS, Classical HS, East Providence HS, Cranston HS West, North Providence HS, South Kingstown HS, Barrington HS, and West Warwick HS.

The outstanding student musicians who performed participated in the RIMEA Solo & Ensemble Festival in May 2025. 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 24th Annual Honors Recital.

The following Rhode Island student musicians performed at the 24th Rhode Island Annual Honors Recital:

  • Adam Harrison, Angela Parente, and Owen Preistley from North Smithfield
  • Jack Paiva from North Kingstown
  • Lillian Rimmer from Franklin
  • Ada McFadden, Leo Singer, Sand ean Thoma from South Kingstown
  • Adam El-Bizri, Ryan Finklestein, and Lee Sweeten from East Greenwich
  • Oliver Giller from Providence
  • Kevin Chen from North Providence
  • Rasika Buchta, James Cassamas from East Providence
  • Evan Lei from Cranston
  • Kylee Nguyen from West Warwick
  • Nicolas Solar and Connor Meehan from Barrington

Honors Recital

The 24th Annual Honors Recital is 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 Honors Recital is free (donations are MOST welcome) and open to the public.