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Bland Memorial Contest Archives
2013 Bland Contest Winners
The Poquoson Lions held their annual Bland Music Competition on January 27th at Poquoson High School. The competition is held every year in memory of Jimmy Bland, composer of the Virginia State Song Emeritus, "Carry Me Back to Ol' Virginny." This year's competition attracted drew 11 musicians who vied for first place and the opportunity to continue on to the next level, eventually hoping to win at the State level. The audience was treated to classical renditions by five pianists and six vocalists. While all competitors are winners, those pictured received special recognition and awards. The Bland Competition held by Lions Clubs state wide is the only such competition for those training in classical music.
Participants and winners of this year's competition are pictured here.
2012 Bland Contest Winners
On 30 January the Poquoson Lions Club held its annual Bland Contest at Poquoson High School. The Annual Bland Music Scholarships Program was
established in 1948 to assist and promote cultural and educational opportunities for the musically talented youth of Virginia. The contest is held annually in the memory of James A. "Jimmy" Bland, the greatest Black writer of American Folk Songs. Bland composed over seven hundred songs,
including the Song Emeritus of Virginia: "Carry Me Back To Ole Virginny." Winners of the Poquoson contest will continue to compete at the next level.
Participants and winners of this year's competition are pictured here.
 Featured from left to right: Madalyne Devlin (vocal), Isabella Stansbury (vocal), Justin Jones (vocal), Denver Crawford (1st place vocal), Daniel Chow, (2nd place vocal), George Revill (3rd place vocal), Vivian Chan (1st place instrumental), Tuan Nguyen (2nd place instrumental), Joyce Chow (3rd place instrumental) |
2011 Bland Contest Winners
First PlaceVocals CategorySean R. Hopkins - BassSinging "Bella Siccome un Angelo" by Gaetano Donizetti |
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Second PlaceVocals CategoryBrianna Renee Sklute-SopranoSigning "Adele's Laughing song" (Mein Herr Marquis) by Johann Struass |
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Third PlaceVocals CategoryDaniel W. Chow - Baritone Singing "Vittoria, mio core" by Domenico Benigni |
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First PlaceInstrumental CategoryTuan T. Nguyen - PianoPerforming "Impromptu Op. 90 No.2" by Franz Schubert |
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Second PlaceInstrumental CategoryJoyce L. Chow-Piano Performing "Sonata in D Major" by Joseph Hayden |
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Third PlaceInstrumental CategoryVivian W. Chan - PianoPerforming "Sonatain C. Minor Op.13 Rondo Movement" by Ludwig van Beethoven, |
 Featured from left to right: 1st VP Gene Seiter, Tuan Nguyen (piano), 1st Place Instrumentalist, Joyce Chow (piano) 2nd Place Instrumentalist, Vivian Chan (Piano) 3rd Place Instrumentalist, Sean R. Hopkins, Bass, 1st Place Vocalist, Brianna Sklute, Soprano, 2nd Place Vocalist, Daniel Chow, Baritone, 3rd Place Vocalist, Lion Shannon Phillips, Bland Chairperson......Picture by BT Smith |
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2010 Bland Contest Winners
Another outstanding year with 10 superb competitors! 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 Jazz Ensemble”, under the supervision of Mr. Bumbaugh, 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 the 25th of March, 7:00 pm at Christ United Methodist Church. District Bland is 17 April at 7:00 pm at Great Bridge Presbyterian Church in Chesapeake. Questions regarding these follow-on competitions can be directed to the District Bland chairperson,
Lion Ginny Rauch ginsing@cox.net 757-410-4370 H 757-739-4336C
First PlaceVocals CategorySean Robert Hopkins-Bass Si Trai Ceppi, George Frideric Handel |
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Second PlaceVocals CategoryKeanan Mikhail McGonigle-Bass Non Piu Andrai, W.A. Mozart |
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Third PlaceVocals CategoryBrianna Renee Sklute-SopranoGia il Sole dal Gange, Alessandro Scarlatti |
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First PlaceInstrumental CategoryJoey Kun Hsu-ViolinConcerto in E Minor, Op. 64, F. Mendelssohn |
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Second PlaceInstrumental CategoryJoyce Lynn Chow-PianoDecember, V. Shukovsky |
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Third PlaceInstrumental CategoryOlivia Ann Stansbury-Flute Concerto No. 1 in G (Movement 1), W.A. Mozart |
 Featured from left to right: Joyce L. Chow 2nd Place Instrumentalist, BT Smith, Poquoson Lions President, Joey K. Hsu 1st Place Instrumentalist, Olivia A. Stansbury 3rd Place Instrumentalist, Sean R. Hopkins 1st Place Vocalist, Brianna R. Sklute 3rd Place Vocalist, Nichole L. Scharff, Daniel W. Chow, Emily W. Brawley, Vivan W. Chan, Lion Ray Carmines, 2010 Bland Chairman |
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Additional Performances and Photos |
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Daniel Wayne Chow-Baritone/Bass |
Emily Winona Brawley-Classical Guitar |
Nichole Lynn Scharff-Soprano |
Vivian W. Chan-Piano |
Emcee Lion Ray Carmines singing “Carry me back to old Virginny (original uncut version)”
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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
