Arts and Sciences Competition

[Steve Hendricks]

<Sarcasm alert>
Well, I for one am so relieved to find that the Music competition will be 
judged at the kingdom A&S by the Crown, who has proven his superior 
knowledge of things musical by waving a stick.

May I remind you that the concept of a conductor was not in general use in 
period?
<Sarcasm passed - you may resume normal activities now>

While I do not mind and in fact enjoy playing for the Crown, whom I really 
do respect <no sarcasm here>, I think this bodes very, very ill for 
musicians.  I, for one, do not care to compete in this fashion.  It seems to 
indicate a general low regard for music and musicians (WE don't want to have 
to listen to them!).  Or perhaps it is an indication that we feel that we 
have nobody qualified to judge music and therefore why bother? I know this 
is not the case, of course; we have some extremely good musicians in 
Ansteorra.  I am privileged enough to have met and played with some of them.

After previous discussions about the perceived unfairness of A&S 
competitions, I find this a step in the wrong direction.

Who is going to win - the musician who performs a subtle but difficult piece 
unknown to the Crown, or the musician who performs a lively but easy dance 
piece that Their Highnesses have heard and enjoyed previously?  Again, no 
disrespect is meant to the Crown - it is simply human nature to judge things 
outside of one's areas of expertise by a simpler set of criteria.

I know of at least one musician (not me) who is so upset about this that he 
is thinking of quitting the SCA.  I think this is an extreme move and not 
justified by the overall appreciation of music in the SCA.  I have received 
many compliments and requests to play in behalf of the Bryn Gwlad Music 
Guild, which indicates to me that appreciation is out there in abundance.

So please, future A&S autocrats, give a thought to what your ideas on the 
competition may imply.  Being recognized by the Crown is a great honor.  But 
being recognized by experts in your field is also a great honor.

Forgive me if these sentiments are upsetting to any of you.   I do not wish 
to upset anyone, merely to serve some food for thought.

Yours in musical service,
Ld. Samuel Piper
steveh at austin.wayne.com