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Bland Memorial Contest Archives
2009 Bland Contest Winners
POQUOSON LIONS HOST ANNUAL BLAND MUSIC CONTEST
This years contestants were, once again, exceptional! The Poquoson Lions would like to thank Mr Doug Spruill and Mr Scott Bumbuagh of Poquoson High School for helping organize and arrange for this annual competition. Also, we would like to thank the Poquoson High School for arranging for “The Chamber Ensemble” which provided entertainment while the judges evaluated and scored the performances. Contestants were judged in one of two categories, Vocal and Instrumental. First place winners receive scholarships of $100, second place $75 and third place $50.
First place winners will compete for Region honors and the Region winners will compete in the District Honors. Region I contest is 1 March, 2:00 pm at North Hampton Community Center. District Bland is 19 April at 2:00 pm at Great Bridge Presbyterian Church in Chesapeake.
The District Bland chairperson is Lion Ginny Rauch ginsing@cox.net 757-410-4370 H 757-739-4336C
First PlaceVocals CategoryMs Lindsay Anderson, Soprano performing “La Pastorella” by Franz Schubert accompanist: Ms Nicole Burchak |
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Second PlaceVocals CategoryMs Drake Myers, Mezzo-Soprano performing “Homeward Bound” by Marta Keen accompanist: Mr Scott Bumbaugh |
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Third PlaceVocals CategoryMs Caroline Bales, Soprano performing “Nina,” accompanist: Ms Susan Daniel |
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First PlaceInstrumental CategoryMs Vivan Chan, Pianist
performing “Waltz in E. Minor” by Frederic Chopin |
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Second PlaceInstrumental Category
Mr Daniel Chow, Violinist performing “Vivaldi Concerto Opus 3 No.6 Presto” by Antonio Vivaldi |
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Third PlaceInstrumental Category
Ms Joyce Chow, Pianist performing “Scherzo Op. Posth” by Franz Schubert |
Contestant winners with Lion Mark Moncure (Chairman Bland Contest) and Lion Kathy Feigh (President) |
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Poquoson High School’s “The Chamber Ensemble” under the direction of Mr Scott Bumbaugh |
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2008 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 2008 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.
2006 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
2006 Bland Contest Program
