[Bards] Standards

Dan Corley okiewriter at hotmail.com
Sun Jan 6 18:12:30 PST 2008


My Respected Master Ihon;
I will first say that I have heard some bardic performances in competitions that would have been laughable in a kindergarten talent show. The objection that I have to "standards" or "ratings" is that these people learned something by the response they received from that poor performance and in many cases then judges gave them valuable advice. They also learned by watching and hearing the better bards. Also I have a problem with just who would judge who is a "beginning bard" or give them a higher raking. I have come in second so many times that I cannot count them and have only won one time in the past 6 years that i have been in Bardic. Would that make me an "Intermediate Bard" and would only winners be "Advanced Bards"? Bards are somewhat of a rogue lot anyway. Must we be restrained by rankings. Incidentally, the only large competition that I won was my very first one when i defeated much more experienced performers and bards. I would not have had that chance as a "Beginning Bard". Bards, by nature are FREE Spirits". Allow us to remain that way in this regimented world.
Ld. Cormac 
Okiewiter


Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 11:42:18 -0600From: jhirling at gmail.comTo: bards at lists.ansteorra.orgSubject: [Bards] StandardsGreetings allI would like to have your feedback on two issues:1.  Would you like to see 'standards' for bards?  For example, would it be helpful if anyone who desired to call him or herself a bard would immediately be considered a beginning bard; a bard who could show a certain repertoire would be considered an intermediate bard; and a bard who exhibited an  exceptional repertoire would be considered an advanced bard.  if so, a) what criteria would you recommend for an intermediate bard; for an advanced bard;b) should any criterion be qualitative or should they all be quantitative;c) what procedure would you suggest for determining a change in standard for a bard? If you do not believe standards would be helpful, why not?2) If you support the idea of standards, should a certain standard be required to enter Eisteddfod?For purposes of this initial discussion, I'd appreciate it if you respond to this email and not to another's opinion.  Also, while the past can be informative, the present and the future are ours to shape.  Let us look to that. Having said all that, of course, you will respond as you see fit :)Warmest regards,Ihon Vinson macFergus, OLPremier Bard of AnsteorraDeputy MoAS for Bardic & Performance -- " When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle." Edmund Burke 
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