Ten Rice musicians participated in the New England Music Concert Festival held Thursday through Saturday, March 21st to 23rd in Boxboro, MA.  After two days of intense rehearsals, the students performed in historic Mechanics Hall in Worcester, MA on Saturday.  Led by two of our nation's finest conductors, Rice students Mehren Blair, Alexandra Botten and Elizabeth Cunningham were in the New England Orchestra and Rice students Laural Callan, Lili Diemer, Markus Hammer, Zerima King, Aleksander Kulapin, James Niggel and Connor Trombly were in the New England Chorus. Rice educator Mr. Parker is the Festival Director for this event.

Rice vocalist Connor Trombly was selected to receive the Burton O. Cowgill New England Music Festival Vocal Scholarship this year. Connor was selected for his four year participation in this event and having the highest rated vocal solo at this year's Solo & Ensemble Festival held in December. The award is in honor of Mr. Cowgill who served on the New England Music Festival Executive Board for more than four decades and was a long-time Executive-Secretary for the organization.