This coming Sunday, June 23, 2024, at 3 PM, twelve of Rhode Island’s finest high school musicians will perform at the Newport Classical Recital Hall in the 23rd Annual Rhode Island Honors Recital, sponsored by the RI Music Education Association (RIMEA).
These high school students represent the highest musical achievement possible following years of study and practice in our schools from Pre-K through graduation, and taught by highly qualified school music teachers and private music instructors. In order to be selected each student had to perform in the May 18th RIMEA Solo-Ensemble Festival, receive a Superior and Concert-Ready rating by their adjudicator that day, and then be selected by another panel of adjudicators following an additional audition a week later. Over 650 original auditionees were in the initial pool, resulting in these final twelve honored performers.
The students performing and the schools they attend include Ellie Clark from North Kingstown High School, Michael Cohen from Woonsocket High School, Adam Harrison from North Smithfield High School, Mariah Joyal from North Smithfield High School, Evan Lei from Cranston West High School, Logan Maccarone from Ponaganset High School, Jack Paiva from The Prout School, Angelina Parente from North Smithfield High School, Owen Priestly from North Smithfield High School, Alexander Sulyma from Bishop Hendricken High School, Kylie Tiemeyer from Classical High School, and Rachel Williams from Moses Brown.
The 23rd Annual Honors Recital is dedicated in loving memory to Dr. Edward Drew, the event’s founder in 2001. Dr. Drew was born in Boston and was an 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. Ed’s concept was 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, a consummate educator, and 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 recital is free and open to the public, though donations are welcome.
