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Bland Memorial Contest
The next contest will be held on January 24, 2008
2008 Contest Documentation
Poquoson Lions Bland Contest Application 2008
Poquoson Lions Letter to Music Teachers - 2008
Poquoson Lions Bland Contest Rules
Poquoson Lions Bland Contest Jusges Score Sheet
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE
VIRGINIA LION’S BLAND MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS
The Virginia Lions’ Bland Memorial Music Scholarship Contest is the ultimate result of many years of effort on the part of the Virginia Association of Lions’ Clubs.
The Lions of Virginia first became interested in James A. Bland in 1938, as the composer of the stirring song, “Carry Me Back To Ole Virginny.” Impressed by the patriotic fervor and nostalgic quality of this lyric, the Lions began a campaign, which resulted in the General Assembly of Virginia officially adopting the song, in 1940, as the Virginia State Anthem. In 1994 the Virginia State Senate adopted the revised song “Carry Me Back to Old Virginia” as the State Song. In February 1997, the Virginia state legislature of voted to retire the song.
James A. Bland, the greatest Black writer of American Folk Song, composed over seven hundred songs, a number of which were outright contributions to Americana.
In 1938 as Virginia Lions inquired into the career of “Jimmy Bland,” they found that his grave was unknown and unmarked. Further investigation found his grave in a cemetery in Merion, PA, near Philadelphia. The Virginia Lions erected a suitable monument over the grave. The culmination of this work became a feature of the 1946 Convention of Lions International at Philadelphia. On that impressive occasion, July 15, 1946, the dignified monument was unveiled in the presence of many distinguished representatives of Government, the world of music, and of Lions International. At the Lions International Convention in Philadelphia in 1997, Virginia Lions rededicated the monument at James Bland’s grave.
The Lions of Virginia were not content that a monument of granite should suffice to memorialize the work of the author of our official State Song. As a permanent living memorial, they established the Virginia Lions’ Bland Music Scholarship Program. Scholarships for musical excellence in both instrumental and vocal performance are awarded annually. Since the initiation of these contests, the Lions have continuously added to the value of the scholarships. Today the contest is spread over the entire state, commencing with individual Club, and thereafter expanding through Zone and/or Region, and District competitions to the final state contest at the annual State Convention. The first Bland contests were held in 1948 with the state finals in Roanoke. Two awards of $150 were given to the winners. Through the interest and efforts of the Lions of Virginia, the music Scholarships have grown from 2 to 12 scholarships which amount to $12,600.00 at the state level. The project is financed entirely through voluntary contributions from the Lions Clubs throughout the State of Virginia.
Upper Levels of the Contest Schedule
Region Competition- date to be announced
District Competition- date to be announced
State Competition - date to be announced
Stay tuned for further details as they become available.
Bland Memorial Contest Committee Members
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Lion Carey Freeman- Chairman
- Lion Kathy Feigh (IPC)
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Lion Ray Baker
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Lion Barb Seiter
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Lion Harris Luscomb
2007 Bland Contest Winners
The Poquoson Lions Club hosted it's annual Bland Music Contest last month at Poquoson High School. This annual event is named in honor of Mr. Jimmie A. Bland, the greatest Black writer of American folk songs and composer of over seven hundred songs. He is best known for writing "Carry Me Back to Ole Virginny" which in 1940 was adopted as the official state song until it's retirement in 1997. The Lions Clubs of Virginia were impressed by Mr. Bland's patriotic fervor and became interested in his life only to learn that he was deceased and buried in an unmarked grave in Merion Pennsylvania. The Virginia Lions erected an impressive monument for his grave and dedicated it in 1946.
This annual music competition in his honor provides an opportunity for the youth of our community to engage in healthy competition in both voice and instrumental categories. Contestants were eligible for cash prizes totaling $500 and have the opportunity to compete at higher levels of competition, culminating at the state level at the annual Lions State Convention.
Pictured are this years winners of the 2007 Poquoson Lions Bland Contest. Featured left to right is Lion Kathy Feigh, who hosted the event; Ms Sarah Grothaus - 3rd Place Vocal; Ms Kristina Hedrick - 2nd Place Vocal; Ms Rebecca Hopkins - 1st Place Vocal; Mr. Gavin Rohrer - 2nd Place Instrumental; Ms Catherine Pao - 1st Place Instrumental; and Lion Mark Moncure - Poquoson Lions President.
Past Contest Participants and Information
Poquoson Lions Club held its annual Bland Music Scholarship contest on Thursday, January 26, in the Poquoson High School (PHS) Forum.
Approximately 80 Lions, family members, guests and friends from the community enjoyed an evening of music and song provided by eight very talented young musicians.
Judges for the competition were Sarah Ashmore, Gordon Parr, Ron Milavok, and Steve Turner. PHS's own "Garnet and Gold" show choir performed during the judge's deliberation at the end of the program.
Vocal contestants were PHS Seniors Emily Harker, Lauren Hartman, Christopher Russo, Bethany Bowen, and Kristin Gavaza; as well as Juniors Rebecca Hopkins, and Sarah Grothaus. Instrumental contestants were Catherine Pao, a Junior at PHS and Carl Olson a Sophomore at PHS.
Vocalist winners were First Place: Lauren Hartman, Second Place: Christopher Russo, and Third Place: Kristin Gavaza.
Instrumentalist winners were First Place: Catherine Pao, and Second Place: Carl Olson.
Other peninsula Lions Clubs are also scheduled to conduct Club level Bland contests and interested student musicians should contact their music teachers for additional information. York Lions on February 5, New Kent Lions on February 16, and Warwick Lions on February 16. Williamsburg Lions and Phoebus Lions will also conduct contests later in February.
Poquoson winners received scholarships of $100, $75, and $50. First Place winners will continue to the Region I Competition to be held on March 12. Admission is free and all members of the community are invited to attend.
2005 Participants
From Left to Right
Keith Feigh, Past President
Erin Plisco, Soprano
Nicole Marie Lindell, Piano
Carl Olson, Piano
Lauren Hartman, Soprano
Bethany A. Bowen, Mezzo-Soprano
Catherine H. Pao, Violin
Virginia Workman, Mezzo-Soprano
Sarah Grothaus , Mezzo-Soprano
Rebecca L. Hopkins, Soprano II
Emily A. Harker, Soprano
Alexander Gavin Roher (hidden), Piano
Kristin Gavaza, Soprano I
Christopher P. Russo , Baritone
Ray Yannello , Bland Contest Chairperson
Click on the Image to view a copy of the
2005 Bland Contest Program
