[Bards] So. For those of you who weren't counting

[Gerald Norris]

47 messages (I didn't count my initial response to the response) on the
bards list.  About bardic!  Yay!

The funny thing is, while there weren't too many who actually answered the
question, the fact that this topic has brought such passionate discourse is
answer in and of itself.

My thoughts - I'm happy with personal gatherings to discuss this, but I'm
not opposed to using the list to talk about it as well.  I'm more in favor
of using the list as a medium to start our discussion - it's cheap, easy,
and we don't have to drive three hours to get there.  On the other hand, I
bear in mind the caveat of e-mail and mailing lists - they don't always
convey information correctly.  So, as we all use this to express our views,
I'd like to take this moment to remind everyone, while tempers are still
cool and passions are directed properly, that this type of media carries a
certain required respect for each other, and patience for all views.

There!  Having got the adult thing out of the way, on to the good stuff!

Robin, I may be paranoid, or at least stubbornly independent, but I worry
about quickly rallying to the call of creating or rebuilding a "college".
But then, I may be stuck only on the word.  Willow's point that this is a
fellowship; a collection of like-minded people, rather than a bureaucratic
organization bent on making everyone fit into a mold, follows my idea of
community.  I don't mind if we call it "sweat shop", as long as the end
result is a stronger sense of support from those who might be considered
"leaders".  However, we all know that words have power, and "college"
probably rings out better than "sweat shop", and "fellowship" would have
everyone looking for some damned ring!

I'll agree that the main focus of the college, if it is restarted, should be
for the solo performance; it is what bards do.  However, most of you who
know me know that I live in many worlds in the SCA (as do most of us).  I'm
an instrumentalist, a poet, a singer, an actor, and occasionally (when no
one else will take the field) a story-teller.  But if I'm reading this right
(and a lot of reading it was and glad were my eyes for the words), the plan
ISN'T to exclude anyone, but to give the general "member" of the college a
focal point to start at.  I'll always be looking for instrumentalists to
play, either as background music during the day, or dancers at night.
Willow is forever stoking the fires of those who would love to tell a story,
and learn how to do so well (and I SO want that little bowl!).  I could go
on.  This fellowship, this college, if it comes to be, should allow within
it's design the venue to give all of us who wish to perform, either singly
or together, the chance to find our way to that performance, and to work on
our skills.

I have to agree that I would rather have our allegiance be to the kingdom
rather than the patronage of king or queen.  See the paragraph where I talk
about stubborn independence.  Deep within me is the desire to do good for my
kingdom, in whose care is given each prince and princess, each king and
queen.  It is my hope that we can help to inspire good stewardship.

My thoughts on the bard-target?  I was thinking more a belt favor, but belt
favor or sash, I like the gold fringe because it looks nice.  So.  For those
who are knowledgeable, what's the price of a badge?

My original question came from a discussion among bards on how we can
increase our proper usage during events.  How can the performance arts (and
I included dance and instrumentalists) work better to entertaining the
populace, and fullfilling a need to perform, and a desire to do so well.
There are many respected members of the performance community that are
voicing their opinions, and I'm glad of that.  It was a broad question,
purposefully put to that effect.  I imagine that the college might be only
part of the answer.  

In service to the dream with a song in my heart, I am,
HL Gerald of Leesville
A bard of Stargate