Lions announce winners of the annual Bland Foundation Music Competition

From left are Ada Zhang, Lion David Farley, Meiling Fan, Lion Dick Saxer, Aaron Cirillo, Hailey Rae Williams, Devonte Garcia and Ritchie Bui.

Thirteen students recently played or sang before a significant audience at the Lions Zone I Bland Competition at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury in Irvington.

“Each contestant was required to play or sing a specific 8-minute piece of music of their own choice,” said contest chairman Lion David Farley. “While they provided the sheet music to the judges, each student had to perform from memory. Instrumentalists played without accompaniment, while vocalists were allowed a piano accompanist. The music this year was of very high quality, and the audience was treated to what can only be described as professional-level performances.”

First place for instrumentalists went to… [to-view-more]