Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue! - VFW Auxiliary National Singing Contest 2023-2024

Aug 26, 2026

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VFW Auxiliary National Singing Contest for eligible students in grades K-12 offers a video solo vocal performance opportunity featuring The Star-Spangled Banner. Entries are evaluated on vocal ability, mastery of lyrics, originality or interpretation, and entertainment value. Participation is limited by eligibility rules for enrollment, age, and residency, and entries require an unedited recorded live video with no word changes or lip syncing. Two grade divisions (K-8 and 9-12) compete for cash gift card awards and must follow posted submission deadlines.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Contest Eligibility

Student eligibility requirements

Contest Rules

Video recording and submission requirements

VFW Auxiliary National Awards

Award amounts by grade division

Judging and Deadlines

Submission timeline by date

Get Excited for the Red, and Blue! VFW Auxiliary National Singing Contest for eligible students in grades K-12 2023-2024 A video solo vocal performance of The Star-Spangled Banner Entry will be judged on vocal ability, mastery of lyrics, originality or interpretation and entertainment value. Contest Eligibility 􀁸 Open to students in grades K-12 by the March 31 deadline who are enrolled in a public, private, parochial schoolor home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions, or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. 􀁸 Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen. 􀁸 Student does not have to be related to a VFW orVFW Auxiliary member to participate. 􀁸 Foreign exchange students and students aged 20 or older are ineligible. 􀁸 National grade division winners of previous Get Excited forthe Red, White and Blue! students may enter the subsequent grade division but are ineligible for the same grade division of which they are a previous National winner. Contest Rules 􀁸 One entry per contestant. 􀁸 Video of contestant’s solo vocal performance of The Star-Spangled Banner must be recorded between July 1, 2023 and March 31 2024. 􀁸 Video must be a recorded live unedited version. 􀁸 Student shall state name, age and grade level prior to vocal performance. 􀁸 Student may sing a cappella, with backing tracks or instruments. 􀁸 Student may sing in the arrangement and genre of their choice. 􀁸 Student may NOT change the words. 􀁸 Student may NOT lip sync. 􀁸 Complete and sign contest entry form. Parent/Guardian signature required on entry form. 􀁸 Video must be saved on a media platform of the VFW Auxiliary choice and submitted with a completed entry form for judging. VFW Auxiliary National Awards Grades K-8 Grades 9-12 First place: $500 gift card First place: $500 gift card Second place: $300 gift card Second place: $300 gift card Third place: $200 gift card Third place: $200 gift card VFW Auxiliary is not responsible for incomplete, lost, late, misdirected or poor-quality video entries. All scores are final as received from the judges. Falsifying information on the entry form is reason for immediate disqualification. All contestants agree to abide by the contest rules. Any violation of these rules shall be cause for immediate disqualification and forfeiture of award. To acquire contact information and application assistance in your state please email [info@vfwauxiliary.org](info@vfwauxiliary.org) VFW Auxiliary judging and deadlines 􀁸 March 31: Student entries must be submitted to a participating sponsoring VFW Auxiliary. 􀁸 April 15 : One winner from each grade division from each VFW Auxiliary advances to the VFW Auxiliary District (optional) then Department (state) for judging. 􀁸 May 5: VFW Auxiliary Department (state) winners from each grade division due to VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters for judging. 􀁸 July/August: Students will be notified of winners via the email address provided on the entry form. First through third place winners named in each of the two grade divisions on VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters social media pages and shown at the VFW Auxiliary National Convention. Page 1 of 2

FAQs

Who is eligible to enter the contest for 2023-2024?

Students in grades K-12 may enter if enrolled in an eligible school or home study program in the United States (including territories and possessions) or eligible dependent programs. U.S. citizenship is not required, but lawful U.S. permanent residents or applicants with an application not denied and an intent to become a U.S. citizen are required. Foreign exchange students and students aged 20 or older are not eligible.

What are the main contest rules for the video performance?

Each contestant submits one entry: a recorded live, unedited solo vocal performance of The Star-Spangled Banner. The student must state name, age, and grade level before singing, may sing with backing tracks or instruments, must not change the words, and may not lip sync. An entry form must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian.

How are winners selected and what are the key deadlines?

Entries are judged on vocal ability, mastery of lyrics, originality or interpretation, and entertainment value. Student entries must be submitted to a participating sponsoring VFW Auxiliary by March 31, with district/state advancement by April 15, and state winners due to National Headquarters by May 5. Students are notified of winners via the email on the entry form in July/August.

Aug 26, 2026

Upload by Aria