Bland Contest

Lions Bland Music Competition 

The Thalia Lions Club Bland Committee arranges an annual youth music scholarship contest in honor of James Bland, the famous composer of "Carry Me Back to Ole' Virginny", Virginia's state song for many years. An escalating series of contests from club to state level results in significant scholarship awards to both vocal and instrumental contestants. The state level awards are scholarships of $3,000 – 1st place, $2,500 – 2nd place, and $2,000 – 3rd place, and cash awards of $1,500 for 4th, 5th, and 6th places for both vocal and instrumental finalists. The contest is open to any youth attending elementary, middle or junior or senior high school (or equivalent home-schooled level) and who is a resident of Virginia.  Only one club contest may be entered as the winners from each club contest progress to the next higher level.  Interested instrumentalists and vocalists may contact the Bland Contest Chairperson for the Thalia Lions, Lion Vickie Kennedy, at 627-5386 or vkennedy@rmhcnorfolk.org for an application packet.  Deadline for completed applications will be in Feb of the contest year. See application form and rules at end of this article.

Lions of VA Sub-District 24I
2023 Competition Winners
From Left to right
1st Place Instrumental (piano)- Isaac Li, Princess Anne High
2nd Place Instrumental (piano)- Kobe Quino Langen, Menchville High
3rd Place Instrumental (piano) - Ethan Jackson Kane attends Lancaster High School
and Lancaster County Lions Club is his sponsor
1st Place Vocal - Zaynah Sarene Berkley Weems, Poquoson High
2nd Place Vocal - Ashton Taylor Hendrickson, Poquoson High
3rd Place Vocal - Niara Rain Ashburn, Salem High

Sub District winners at the State level James Bland Music Competition!
1st Place Instrumental - Kobe Quino Langen from Menchville High
3rd Place Vocal - Ashton Taylor Hendrickson from Poquoson High

At the State Bland Contest
Kobe Quino Langen won 1st place Instrumental - $3,000 (Kobe was our 2nd place Sub Dist winner who competed at the State level because our 1st place winner had a conflict)
Ashton Taylor Hendrickson won 3rd place Vocalist - $2,000 (Ashton was our 2nd place Sub Dist winner who competed at the State level because our 1st place winner had a conflict)


Lions of VA Multiple District 24
2022 Competition Winners

From left to right first row
*Anna Hubbard, 24-I - 1st place winner (Vocal)
*Jenna Ng, 24-C Instrumental first place winner (Piano)
From left to right second row
*PDG Ann Ragland, Vickie Kennedy, DG Greg Cole, DG Eric Mills and PDG Clark Vandergrift.

2022 Bland Contest Winners
From left to right,
*Gabriella L. Waite - 2nd Place Vocal (Mezzo-Soprano) Maury High School
*Olivia M. Carey – Instrumental (Flute) New Kent High School
*Matthew J. Fan – 2nd Place Instrumental (Violin) York High School
*Anna S. Hubbard – 1st Place Vocal (Soprano) Poquoson High School
*Bradley R. Song – 1st Place Instrumental (Piano) – Old Donation. Brad will be representing our club at the State Bland contest and in May at the State Convention.

Anna and Bradley went to the Lions of Virginia Multiple District 24 level competition that was held at the State Convention in Chesapeake, VA. where Anna won 1st place (Vocals) and Bradley placed 4th (Instrumentals).

Special thanks to Lion Vickie Kennedy for all your hard work and thank you to all who attended and assisted.

In 2021 and 2020, Ava Shedd was Thalia Lions Instrumental 1st place winner and represented the 2021 State Finals winning 2nd place and a $2,000 Scholarship, and at the 2020 State Finals winning 3rd place and a $1,500 Scholarship.
Ava now attends Cincinnati Conservatory of Music where she won a concerto competition and earned the opportunity to play Gagliano violin for this performance values at $150,000 to $200,000. She thanks Thalia Lions for being a part of her development and growth!

2021 Bland Contest Winners
Thalia Lions was happy to continue despite the pandemic to hold our 28th Annual James A. Bland Memorial Music Scholarship Competition (live). We had 8 contestants compete in the Instrumental category with 7 piano and 1 violin. Ava Shedd won 1st place (Violin) and Emily Wu placed 2nd (piano) and Edric Han placed 3rd (piano). Our judges (Dr. Harvey Stokes and Dr. Alex Trevino) were impressed with the talent presented on April 8, 2021, at Thalia United Methodist Church. We thank Thalia United Methodist Church for allowing us to hold our competition in their sanctuary. Ava Shedd moves on to the Sub-District competition to be held on May 14, 2021 at Thalia United Methodist Church as our Instrumental contestant and our vocalist Lindsey Turner will represent us as our 1st place vocal winner.
2020 Bland Contest Participants - Left to right
1st Row: Gabrielle Pinkey, Angela Zhang, Bradley Song, Blake Armstrong, Jayna Deeb, Isabella Rosario
2nd Row: Emily Wu, Rose Zhang, Jessica McMillian, Amanda Suh, Isaac Li,
3rd Row: Ava Shedd, Rafael Viray Ava Stevenson
Back row: Thalia Lion President, Ellen Turman, Lion John Watters & Lion Vickie Kennedy

Bland Contest Winners 2020 -
*Instrumentalists:
1st place -Ava Shed (violin)
2nd place - Blake Armstrong (violin)
3rd place - Jayna M. Deeb (flute)
*Vocalists:
1st place- Ava Stevenson (soprano)
2nd place- Gabrielle D. Pinkey (suprano)
3rd place- Isabella C. Rosario (mezzo soprano)

*Special appreciation to our Bland Competition Chair, Lion Vickie Kennedy, our Emcee, Lion Dr. John Watters, and our Thalia Lions Club President, Lion Ellen Turman.

*Judges: Bianca Hall, Dr. Brian Nedvin, Dr. Alexander Trevino, and Dr. Brian Diller


Bland Contest Winners 2019

First Row is Lydia Li, Isaac Li and Bradley Song
Second Row is Austin Mo, Kurt Kannetti, Annie Liang, Rose Zhang, Emily
Wu, Ava Stevenson, Rafael Viray, Kevin Wang and Alyssa Reichard
Third Row is Vickie Kennedy and John Watters.

Feb 26, 2019 - Nine Thalia Club members attended and assisted this year’s Bland Contest.
The talent exhibited in the performances was absolutely amazing.
Judging this contest by professional musicians Sondra Gelb, Brian Nedvin, and Dr. Alex Travino, was extremely difficult. Thalia Lions greatly appreciates their time and efforts.
 
Bland Contest Winners 2018. The 2018 Region III Bland contestants are from left to right Donte’ Thompson, a 2nd place Vocalist from Thalia Lions , Kurt Lannetti, 1st place Vocalist from Bayside Lions Club, Ava Shedd, 1st place Instrumentalist from Thalia Lions Club, Rafael Viray, 2nd place Instrumentalist from Bayside Lions and Nathaniel Zhang 3rd Place Instrumentalist from Bayside Lions. Along with Lion John Watters – Master of Ceremonies and Lion Vickie Kennedy, 24-D Bland Chair. The 1st place winners will proceed to the District 24-D Bland Competition that is being held on Friday, April 20, 2018 at 7:00 pm on the campus of ODU in Diehn Center for Performing Arts Choir RM 1201, Norfolk, VA. All three regions will send their 1st place winners in both categories to compete to represent 24-D District at the State Finals. State Finals is were all six districts will have a vocal and an instrumental compete for scholarships starting at $2,500 going on down to $1,000 scholarship. Every contestant will receive at least $1,000.00 scholarship.
 
Bland Contest Winners 2016

                                          Bland Contest Winners 2014 

 
Lions of Virginia Bland Music Scholarship Foundation, Inc.
REGISTRATION AND RULES OF THE CONTEST FOR
VOCALIST OR INSTRUMENTALIST

The Annual Bland Music Scholarship Program was established in 1948 to assist and promote cultural and educational opportunities for the musically talented youth of Virginia.  The program consists of elimination contests starting at club level and continuing through “State Final Contest” and is administered by the following rules.

1. Any  boy  or  girl,  vocalist  or  instrumentalist,  properly  sponsored  by  a  Virginia  Lions  Club,  a  resident  of  Virginia  (or  within  the  club’s jurisdiction) and attending elementary, middle or senior high school or is home schooled is eligible to participate.

2. Contestants
a. Are allowed to enter only one club contest annually and may participate in either the vocal or instrumental division but not both. Students who enter more than one contest may be banned from future participation. 


b. Shall render only one composition and is allowed only eight (8) minutes to present it.  In order to keep within the 8-minute time limit, contestant may eliminate part of his or her composition.  The part cut out shall be marked on the score for the information of the judges.  A one-point penalty (per judge) for every five seconds exceeding the eight-minute limit, with a grace period for the first five seconds, will be assessed at the state level.  The point penalty may be enforced at the district, zone/region, or club level at the discretion of the Contest Bland Chairman. In case of a tie, the judges shall determine a winner.

c. Must memorize his or her composition.

d. Shall furnish the required number of copies of his or her composition as defined by the club, zone/region, district and state chairmen. 

e. Lions of Virginia shall provide no instrument for contestant other than a piano.  Instruments other than piano must have an accompanist, if dictated by the composition.  Accompaniment must be provided with musical instruments played by live performers, other than the contestants themselves. No pre-recorded accompaniment is allowed.

f. All contestants must compete on the date and at the place and time of the scheduled club, zone/region, district or state contest.

3. Judges
a. Judges for the contest shall be competent teachers or performers of music not connected with the contestant or the sponsoring club.     

b. When appropriate, there should be 2 judges for each division of music (vocal and instrumental).  Two judges for each division are required at the District and State levels.

c. Shall score the contestant on his or her musical ability.

d. Score sheets shall be given to the contestant after the contest.

4. Awards shall be furnished by the State Bland Foundation Committee as follows:

a. Official certificates (1st and 2nd places, and participation) at the club, zone/region, district and state levels.

b. State Scholarships for BOTH Vocal and Instrumental WINNERS are:
First Place SCHOLARSHIPS -    $3,000 each 

Second Place SCHOLARSHIPS -  $2,500 each 
Third Place SCHOLARSHIPS - $2,000 each 
Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Place SCHOLARSHIPS  -  $1,500 each 

c. Scholarships are not transferable, and those not claimed within five (5) years after date of State Contest will be forfeited.

d. State first place winners are NOT eligible to compete again.

e. Scholarships are payable only to an accredited college or school of music, summer music program or to an accredited private or public music teacher.  Requests for payment to a college or school must be accompanied by the winner’s course curriculum, which must include a music course,  and a  statement from the school  indicating an outstanding balance at least  in the payment  of  the amount  being requested. Requests for payment to private and public teachers must include a signed statement for lessons previously given the winner, showing the dates, the number of lesson hours, and fee per hour. In order for payments from scholarships to be disbursed, the aforementioned information must be submitted to the Bland Foundation, 402 Scott Street, Baltimore, MD 21230.

All participants are required to SIGN a copy of the “Registration Form” certifying their familiarity therewith and their COMPLETE acceptance thereof. The contest dates and locations will be posted soon.
Complete the below Registration Form and mail to:
Lion Vickie Kennedy
507 Blue Moon Crescent
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Email:  vkennedy@rmhcnorfolk.com
  

PLEASE PRINT
Lions of Virginia Bland Music Scholarship Foundation, Inc.
                  REGISTRATION FORM FOR VOCALIST OR INSTRUMENTALIST
 
Please enter me in the contest to be held Feb. 22, 2023 
at Thalia United Methodist Church, 4321 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA
                                                   
Contestant’s Name ____________________________________________________
                                                                  (First, Middle, Last)
 
Parent or Guardian ___________________________________________________________
 
Address:
_________________________________________________________________
                    (City)                                             (State)                            (Zip)
 
             Phone_____________ Age_______________  Grade__________________
 
School____________________ Email ________________________________
 
Type of Instrument ______________________ Type of Voice ________________
 
Composition ____________________________________________
 
Composer ________________________________________________
 
Accompanist ______________Phone _____________ Email______________
 
 
Music Teacher ______________Phone ___________ _ Email______________
 
I have read and I accept the rules and regulations of the contest:
_______________________________________ _____________________________
                      (Signature of Contestant)                                                  (Date signed)      


A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE VIRGINIA LIONS
JAMES A BLAND MEMORIAL MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS

The Lions of Virginia first became interested in James A. Bland in 1938 as the composer of the stirring song, Carry Me Back to Old Virginny. Impressed by the patriotic fervor and nostalgic quality of this lyric, the Lions began a campaign that 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 a revised version Carry Me Back to Old Virginia. In February 1997, the State Legis-lature of Virginia voted to retire the song for reason of political correctness. The Lions of Virginia still honor the man who wrote hundreds of well-known melo-dies.

In the 1940’s, Lions delved into the life and career of this distinguished composer and discovered that his grave was unknown and unmarked. Through diligent investigation they discovered his grave in a cemetery in Merion, PA, near Phila-delphia. The Lions of Virginia erected a monument over his grave and at the Convention of Lions International in Philadelphia in July of 1946 the monument was unveiled in the presence of many distinguished representatives of govern-ment, the world of music, and Lions International. In 1997, at the Lions Interna-tional Convention again in Philadelphia, the Virginia Lions rededicated the mo-nument.

The Lions of Virginia were not content that only a granite monument memorial-izes the author of the official state song. Hence, as a continuing memorial, they established the Virginia Lions Bland Music Scholarships Program in 1948. Since the beginning of this contest, the Lions have continued to add to the value of the scholarships. Today, the contest is spread over the entire state, commencing with individual club contests, and escalating through zone and/or region and district contests to the final state contest at the Annual State Convention. The project is financed entirely through contributions from Lions Clubs throughout the State of Virginia. The Thalia Lions Club awards trophies and medallions, but at the state level, scholarships are awarded in both vocal and instrumental categories in the amount of $3,000 for first place, $2,500 for second place and $2,000 for third place. Cash awards of $1,500 are given to the 4th, 5th and 6th place Winners.

The Thalia Lions Club is always looking for men and women of good character who would like to help their community and humanity. We meet twice a month for din-ner and fellowship. Our fund-raising efforts include sale of blind-made products, a fruit sale, a raffle and other activities. In addition to other donations we provide eyeglasses and hearing aids for the needy, hearing and sight tests for adults and children and scholarships. If you are interested in membership, please speak to any Lion here tonight.   

 
Following is an article by Lion Ed DeLong, Thalia Lions in the May 2010 24D's Knight's Vision.
"Aundi Marie Moore, a soprano who won first place honors in the Thalia Lions music scholarship contest some years ago is now a successful opera singer appearing with Virginia Opera as Serena in George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. She and Virginia Opera conductor Peter Mark attended the Wells theater the other evening and during a discussion with them Miss Moore reminisced about her win with the Lions and how much we helped her in her successful career. She has sung the role of Elvira in Don Giovanni with Monte Carlo Opera; Nedda in Pagliacci with Sarasota Opera; Rusalka in the 2008 Salzburg festival; many events with the Washington National opera including Elvira from Don Giovanni and is scheduled to sing the role of Serena with the Atlanta Opera. It’s not often that a star of her caliber returns to our area to tell us about how much our efforts helped her along the way. Our Bland program is working fellow Lions. Please keep supporting it."
 
 





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