Scroll Down  Page for Previous years winners

2010 Winners

The Bland Music Scholarship Contest, sponsored by the Chester Lions Club was held on Sunday February 29, 2010 at the Chester Baptist Church. There were 10 students who competed for prizes and the chance to move on to the District competition. The competition included various instrumental pieces. The first place winner will advance on to compete in the Lions District competition, to be held in April , 2010 in Colonial Heights, VA at Immanuel Baptist Church at 2:00 PM.  The final state competition will be held in May 2010 at the Virginia Lions State Meeting at Tyson’s Corner, VA with a prize for first place being a $ 2500.00 scholarship.

2009 Winners

The Bland Music Scholarship Contest, sponsored by the Chester Lions Club was held on Sunday March 1, 2009 at the Chester Baptist Church. There were 12 students who competed for prizes of two $ 100.00 US savings bonds for first place and two $50.00 US saving bonds for second place. The competition included both vocal and instrumental pieces. The first place winners will advance on to compete in the Lions District competition, to be held on April 19, 2009 in Colonial Heights, VA at Immanuel Baptist Church at 2:00 PM.  The final state competition will be held in May 2009 at the Virginia Lions State Meeting at Tyson’s Corner, VA with a prize for first place being a $ 2500.00 scholarship.

The Chester Lions Club has been sponsoring The Bland competition for many years. Chester Lions Club is one of the few Lions Clubs in the Tri-Cities area who annually hold the competition; to not only help students of music but to honor James A. Bland.

James A. Bland, a distinguished black composer, is best known today for the stirring song, “ Carry Me Back to Ole Virginny”, which until recently had been the Virginia State Anthem.

2007 Winners

The Bland Music Scholarship Contest, sponsored by the Chester Lions Club was held on Sunday February 25, 2007 at the Chester Baptist Church. The winner in each category received a $100.00 US Savings Bond and the Runner-ups received a $50.00 US Savings Bond for their achievement. The categories included vocal and instrumental pieces. The First Place Winners will advance to the Lions District competition, to be held in April 27, 2007 at the Immanuel       Baptist church in Colonial Heights. With the winner       advancing to the State finals in May 2007 where they will compete for a $2000.00 scholarship.

2006 Winners

Kristina M. Blehm & Benjamin C. Smith

With Lion David Rucker 1^st  Vice President

The Bland Music Scholarship Contest, sponsored by the Chester Lions Club was held on Sunday February 26, 2006 at the Chester Baptist Church . The winner in each category received a $100.00 US Savings Bond and the Runner-ups received a $50.00 US Savings Bond for their achievement. The categories included vocal and instrumental pieces. The First Place Winners will advance to the Lions District competition, to be held on April 23, 2006 at the Immanuel Baptist church in Colonial Heights . With the winner advancing to the State finals in May 2006 where they will compete for a $2000.00 scholarship.

The Bland Music Scholarship Contest is held annually by the Lions of Virginia to provide the opportunity for area young musicians to compete and to honor James A. Bland, a distinguished black composer. He is best known for the stirring song “Carry Me Back To Old Virginny”, which until recently had been the Virginia State Song.

To Learn More About James A. Bland Click Here