The Lions Club of Sterling will be hosting the James A. Bland Music Scholarship competition at 1 p.m. Feb. 9 at Community Lutheran Church in Sterling. The contest is open to any instrumentalist or vocalist attending elementary, middle or high school within the Sterling Lions' jurisdiction. Applications are limited to the first 24 qualified students.


The winners of the contest at the club level move on to the Region III competition March 3 in Fairfax. The contest continues through the district and state levels. First and second place winners at the club level receive $75 and $50 savings bonds respectively; state winners can receive up to $2,500 in scholarship money.

The James A. Bland Music Scholarship Competition was established in 1948 by the Virginia Lions Club to honor James Bland, the author of Virginia's former state song, "Carry Me Back to Ole Virginny." The program seeks to assist and promote opportunities for the musically talented youth of Virginia.