The Smallest State Packs a Punch: Lil’ Rhody Rumble 2025 Preview

By Michael James Breen, New England contributor

The final stretch of the 2025 New England show choir season is here. With three competitions left, there are still many storylines to play out. One of those is, "will Daniel Hand VIBE win one more competition before heading to Show Choir Nationals on March 21st?" They have the opportunity to do just that at the Bishop Hendricken Lil' Rhody Rumble this weekend.

Coming off two wins in back-to-back weeks, Daniel Hand is looking for their third overall grand champion in the New England circuit. Their show has grown immensely since they first showcased it at Shepherd Hill. Back in the beginning of February, they figured out how not plateau and continued to clean and refine their show. With dramatic and swift choreography and tight vocals, VIBE has lit a fire within their group. To keep claiming the top spot in New England, they will have to win Lil’ Rhody Rumble and make some big waves in the national scene.

Waltham Music Unlimited is coming off a runner-up finish at Somerset with Best Vocals and Best Band. Their show has continued to develop in ways that was unforeseen. With the successful run of their 2024 story show, their 2025 set has developed even further than that. They portray the struggles of being a student, a kid and a worker perfectly. Fantastic song choices make a compelling showcase of what it means to work hard and become successful. Waltham is known for being a showstopper in the circuit. Will they be able to come out on top?

South Windsor Choral Spectrum has something to prove this weekend. With this being their last competition of the year, Choral Spectrum is geared up and ready to go. Their 2025 show has been well received. They have earned a pair gold medals so far with both a third and fourth at their past competitions. Their set is full of excitement and fantastic singing and dancing. Each and every single performer enjoys the time they spend on stage. Having two weeks to rehearse and work on their show may allow them to have a more favorable placement at Bishop Hendricken.

Coming all the way from the state of Indiana, Pendleton Heights will be making their first appearance at a New England competition. They are bringing all four of their high school groups. This is something that has not been seen in the New England circuit before. With both Pendletones and Emerald Suites being two of the top small Indy groups in their respective divisions, they will face a new set of challengers in New England’s finest.

In the small mixed division, Scranton First Edition will be returning to the New England scene. They have always placed well among the circuit’s small mixed groups. They have won two of their four competitions so far with five big captions under their belt. Their show is full of beautiful vocal moments with dynamic choreography. Scranton will round out their season here, hoping for one last placement on top.

Waltham Music Express will also be making a return to the Lil' Rhody Rumble ring. Music Express will be making a shift from being a single-gender ensemble to a small mixed group this season.  This is the first time since 2008 that Waltham has had two mixed show choirs at the same time. Nothing is really known about them currently. However, if this group is following in the footsteps of Music Unlimited, it will be a sight to see.

Bishop Hendricken Paramount will be ending their season by hosting this premier event. Paramount is under the direction of Richard Sylvia, with choreography by Brooke Smolder and support staff Emma Corrcelli and Christian Kabbas. Finishing up their 10th season as a competitive show choir, they have won small mixed in two of their four competitions this season. Telling the story of The Outsiders, Paramount has showcased the meaning of friendship, grit and what it means to be a greaser. With only 20 performers on stage, they have been able to produce fantastic vocal sound. They have honed in on technique that is seen by top groups around the country. A fun little tidbit that not many know about is that Hendricken is an all-boy Catholic school. They can pull students from other schools around the state to make this ensemble a mixed choir. The commitment of these students is something to be appreciated. Overall, this group is the pioneer of Rhode Island show choir. In the coming years, hopefully other schools in the state take notice of the benefit of what this activity has and can grow this circuit even further.

Over the past four years, Hendricken has been able to grow this event from nine to 27 groups attending. From the hospitality, to the food, to the overall atmosphere and so many other aspects, Lil’ Rhody Rumble has become the event to be at in New England. It is looked forward to by most, if not all, of the circuit.

Hendricken will be offering a live stream for this event all weekend long for those unable to attend in person.

Friday PM: https://youtube.com/live/tUiuAhMXPQ0?feature=share

Saturday AM: https://youtube.com/live/Ks-1SHuwV8A?feature=share

Saturday PM: https://youtube.com/live/FAGJvUek25Y?feature=share