Jeff

Jeff Rice is in his 40th year of teaching choral music in Texas, having served in LaPorte ISD, Cy-Fair ISD, San Angelo ISD, and, most recently, 25 years as Director of Choirs for the Midway Independent School District and Head Choral Director at Midway High School. Retiring from public school service in May 2025, Mr. Rice is now working part-time as the Director of Music Ensembles (Choir and Orchestra) at Vanguard College Preparatory School in Waco.

A proud graduate of Baylor University (BME) and Texas State University (MM in Choral Conducting), Mr. Rice is also an alumnus of Sherman High School and a two-year member of the TMEA All-State Choir.

Throughout his career, Mr. Rice has led ensembles to statewide and national recognition. Under his direction, the Midway High School Chamber Singers were selected as an Invited Performing Choir for the 2016 Southwest Division Conference of the American Choral Directors Association in Kansas City, Missouri. His choirs have also been featured six times as Invited Choirs for the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, representing both San Angelo ISD and Midway ISD across multiple years. The Midway HS Chamber Singers earned first place at the North Texas Madrigal and Chamber Choir Festival and presented Honor Concerts in 2021 and 2023.

Mr. Rice has been an influential leader in the choral profession serving as President of the Texas Choral Directors Association following a term as High School Division Vice President. He chaired the UIL Prescribed Music List Committee and served TMEA as LSC Area D Chair. An active member of the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, he is a frequent UIL adjudicator across the state. In addition to his work in public schools, Mr. Rice has served as a church musician for many years, holding Music and Worship Director positions in Baptist, Methodist, and Disciples of Christ congregations in Houston, San Angelo, and Waco.

Jeff and his wife, Jannifer, are the proud parents of three adult children—all Midway and Baylor alumni—and the delighted grandparents of seven grandchildren.