Bland music competition anything but bland
By Alex Carrier

Saturday was another example of why people love living here. The Virginia Lion’s Club’s annual Bland Musical Competition treated an audience of about 75 to the sweet sounds of music preformed by local students.

The 10 participants reflected the diversity of this area. Competitors ranged in age from 10 to 18 and were almost equally divided between those in public school and those in private school or home-schooled.

The afternoon began with plaintive sounds of a violin solo by the day’s instrumental first-place winner Marianna Cutright. The 14-year-old home-schooled student was accompanied by her favorite pianist – her sister Emily who came in second in the instrumental category. Marianna hopes for a career playing professionally with a national symphony.

Micah Griswold, 18-year-old winner in the vocal category, is working toward a Broadway career. Her musical choice from Barber of Seville gave her ample opportunity to show off both her voice and her stage presence.

From an original arrangement on electric guitar to a trumpet solo to the classic bluegrass tune Cripple Creek played on banjo, everyone in the audience could find a musical favorite. Now, they all wait to see how the local winners will be judged at the next level of competition.

For more about the winners, pictures from the event and information about the Bland contest, check out our website: www.vgreene.com/greenelite

Phot by Alex Carrier

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© 2006 Virginia Greene