[Bards] From Eleanor Fairchild - on Eisteddfod

ML lymadelina at yahoo.com
Mon Jan 5 18:35:42 PST 2004


Greetings.

I was unable to attend due to illness, but if I had
been able to attend, I probably would not have
competed because I had no documentation ready.  My
printer is not currently hooked up to my computer, and
it seems to me that hand written documentation,
however good, doesn't impress as well as does printed
documentation.

But more to the point, I was under the impression that
the premier bard has the duty to compete at Gulf Wars,
and as I will be unable to attend Gulf Wars, then I
would rather someone win who could fulfill this
obligation.

Even more to the point, though, is my severe stage
fright.  I have no problem performing in front of
friends at a casual bardic.  I absolutely love
singing, storytelling, and poetry -- it's what keeps
me coming back to the SCA -- but the minute I perceive
I am being scrutinized, I have problems projecting,
and I tremble quite noticeably.  I've heard ways to
overcome this problem such as picturing your audience
in their underthings, or realizing that you have
friends amongst the audience who truly want you to do
well, but I've had very little success with either
method.

Then there is the reluctance to compete against the
people who are truly wonderful, the bards whose
reputations precede them.  I feel my voice or my
poetry or my deportment pales in comparison, and do
not wish to subject myself to feeling mediocre.

I guess you could say more than anything, lack of
confidence keeps me from competing.  If anyone knows a
remedy for that, please share!

Lady Madelina de Lindesay
Canton of Loch Ruadh
Barony of Elfsea
Kingdom of ANSTEORRA!


--- "Biggs, Truly" <truly.biggs at hp.com> wrote:

<SNIP>

> So - on another note, I would like to ask the group
> at large - 
> 
> Why did more of you not compete? This question is in
> no way meant to shake a finger at anyone, as I have
> only competed in one kingdom Eisteddfod myself, and
> had a different reason each year for not competing
> until then. I have participated in/judged many
> baronial and shire title bard competitions which had
> twenty or more competitors, and I wonder what the
> difference is. I am asking to see if we can help
> strengthen the community by discovering what the
> reluctance is to enter the title bard competition. 
> Is it:
> 
> Not wanting to document pieces?
> Not having any/enough documentable pieces?
> Not knowing how to document pieces?
> Not having any original pieces?
> Not wanting to receive negative commentary?
> Not knowing enough pieces to compete with?
> Not having enough pieces that you feel good about?
> Not wanting/having time for the responsibility of
> being the Kingdom Bard?
> Not thinking that you will do well?
> 
> Enquiring minds want to know.
> 
> 
> You can respond either publicly to this list or
> privately to
> Truly.biggs at hp.com
> 
> Thanks for your time, 
> And for sharing your music and poetry with us all.
> 
> Eleanor

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