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in addition to advancing to the district competition, a $100 savings bond. Second- and thirdplace winners received a $50 and $25 bond, respectively.
Winners in the district competition advance to regional and finally to the state competition, where they face other winners from across the commonwealth in a competition for college scholarships to further their studies of music.
The Lions Clubs of Virginia have sponsored the James A. Bland Music Contest since 1948, in honor of the great black folk composer and native of Virginia. Though Mr. Bland was a celebrated singer and songwriter who toured widely with minstrel shows in this country and in Europe, he was penniless when he died of tuberculosis in Philadelphia.
He wrote more than 300 songs, but is probably best remembered for “Carry Me Back to ’Ole Virginny,” the official state song of the commonwealth of Virginia.
His body lay, unrecognized, in an unmarked grave in a cemetery outside Philadelphia until it was discovered by representatives of the Virginia Lions Clubs, who erected a monument in 1945. The annual contest, to perpetuate his memory and to encourage musically-talented youths to develop their gifts, soon followed.
From two $150 scholarships aw arded in 1948, the contest has grown into a statewide effort which awards numerous scholarships worth as much as $1,500 for winning students pursuing studies in music.
Students interested in competing in next year’s James A. Bland Music Contest should contact their music teachers or a member of the Lions Club.
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