District 24-A vocal and instrumental contestant with DG Joe Volpe and District 24-A Bland Chair.
On April 11th, the District 24-A Bland Contest took place at the Alexandria Lyceum. Ten contestants, representing all 5 regions, performed in front of an audience of eighty. The young vocalists and instrumentalists displayed musical ability of the highest caliber. District 24-A has an incredible pool of talent, as demonstrated by these young people. The first place winners will represent our district at the state Bland contest in Bristol, on May 16th. This final level of competition will be held at the Paramount Theater.
On the left is the vocal winner who is soprano Valerie Saba, a 17-year-old senior at South Lakes High School. The Reston Lions Club of Region III is sponsoring her. On the right is the instrumental winner who is pianist Sejoon Park, a 17-year-old junior at Mc Lean High School. Sejoon will be attending the Peabody Conservatory of Music next year. The Bailey’s Cross Roads Lions of Region I are his sponsoring club. 24-A District Governor Joe Volpe is between the two winners.
The alternate vocalist is mezzo-soprano Morgan Middleton, a 15-year-old freshman at West Springfield High School. The Springfield-Franconia Host Lions of Region II are her sponsoring club. Jesse Wong, pianist, is the instrumental alternate. Jesse is an 18-year-old senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. He has been accepted into Harvard University next year. The Alexandria Host Lions of Region II are his sponsoring club