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<DIV><SPAN class=695010303-06012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Bella,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=695010303-06012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=695010303-06012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Thank
you for competing and please don't hesitate to compete in the future! I was only
there to see the last two rounds, but I was very impressed with you (and the
other performers) and I would love to see you perform more, be it in competition
or a circle.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=695010303-06012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=695010303-06012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Pendaran</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left><FONT
face=Tahoma size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B>
bards-bounces@ansteorra.org [mailto:bards-bounces@ansteorra.org] <B>On Behalf
Of </B>Bella<BR><B>Sent:</B> Monday, January 05, 2004 8:42 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
bards@ansteorra.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> [Bards] Re:From Eleanor Fairchild - on
Eisteddfod<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Greetings,<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>This was my
first year to compete in Eisteddfod and it was both an intense competition and
one of the most enjoyable experiences I have had. The competitors, though not
large in number, were incredible in talent. I had put off competing for the
last few years for fear I wasn't ready for it. I have very little experience
with documentation other than giving a brief introduction to a piece before
performing and I wasn't sure what was expected because here in the North you
rarely ever see a competition where documentation is required or even
requested so it was something new. I can say now that I have done it, I plan
to work even harder to prepare for next year starting now. It was nail-biting
and edge of the seat, but I have to agree with some of the other bards
competing, it was amazing, fun in the same way a roller-coaster is fun.
Granted I generally feel a little like that before any competition, just more
intense at Eisteddfod. I encourage anyone to try, if for nothing else but the
experience. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>I feel
fortunate to have found myself in the final round this year for I was in
incredible company. And congratulations once again to Dona Antonia, well
deserved, I hope to be able to hear you perform more often. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Also, if anyone
knows how to contact Ana, surname unknown, I wanted to pass on some
information I had on Sephardic music to her but I didn't get her e-mail
address. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>HL Sibeal
inghean ui Ruairc<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Better known as
Bella O'Rourke<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>-----Original Message-----<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>From: bards-bounces@ansteorra.org
[mailto:bards-bounces@ansteorra.org] On Behalf Of Biggs, Truly<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 2:55 PM<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>To: bards@ansteorra.org<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Cc: tim@roseneath.ca<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Subject: [Bards] From Eleanor Fairchild - on
Eisteddfod<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Hello All!<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Let me first offer congratulations to Dona Antonia for
her marvelous performances in the competition this year. I have high hopes for
her tenure as Kingdom Bard.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Also, let me say what an honor and a privilege it was to
judge the Kingdom Eisteddfod this past weekend. The competition was both
friendly and excellent, and I enjoyed watching each performance. I have to say
that as both a performer and a judge, this style of competition is my
favorite, as all performers compete against the whole group, rather than
one-to one.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For those of you who
were not able to attend, the judges were:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Robin of Gilwell (past Premier bard)<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Ulf Gunnarson (past Premier bard)<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Eleanor Fairchild (past Premier bard)<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Snorri (Sponsored by Pendaran Glamorgan)<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Garraed Galbreath (visiting bardic laurel from
Ealdormere)<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Pendaran Glamorgan (outgoing Premier
Bard)<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>I also want to extend a thank you to Antigonus
Bearbait(Tiggy) for helping the competition to run smoothly. Wonderful job -
as usual.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>As I remember the competitors were:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Dona Antonia <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Bella (Many apologies, my lady - I did not write down
your surname)<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Eleanor O'Rourke<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>William Wyrm<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Gerald Of Leesvile<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Muirenn ingen Senáin uí Dúnlaing (Simone)<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Ana ....(Oooh - don't have her surname
either)<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Ouisin MacFinn<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Please do forgive me for misspellings and
omissions.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>I want to applaud those who entered for the courage to
get up in front of your peers and offer your performances up to be weighed
against the work of others. The documentation that was presented to us for
support was outstanding, and the preparation that went into the pieces was
readily evident and greatly appreciated. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>A few notes on documentation, which I hope will be
helpful to all.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>As a judge, I find it helpful to have both the history
and references regarding your piece, and a printed copy or Xerox copy of the
piece attached (if song or poem or monologue.)Calligraphy is nice - but hard
to read quickly. If it is a piece I know backwards and forwards - one quick
glance at the printed poem or song will allow me to watch your performance
rather than sort through your documentation.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>If you cite a website in your documentation, also do
list any references that website gives, or who contributed to it. Ly Ana,
whose surname I have misplaced, did an excellent job of supporting her
references, and I urge you to seek her out and see what she did if you have
further questions.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>If your piece is original - a copy of the words is
helpful. Also, include a sentence to let us know if both the tune and the
words are your own, and if they follow a historical style, or if they are more
modern in nature.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Several of the performers provided documentation for all
the pieces they had prepared to perform - which was most impressive. It is
nice to feel so very informed, whether a piece is modern or historical. I
don't always know what pieces I intend to compete with, so it's something I
have never done<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>but I was
certainly impressed by the time and preparation.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>So - on another note, I would like to ask the group at
large - <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>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.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Is it:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Not wanting to document pieces?<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Not having any/enough documentable
pieces?<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Not knowing how to document pieces?<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Not having any original pieces?<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Not wanting to receive negative
commentary?<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Not knowing enough pieces to compete
with?<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Not having enough pieces that you feel good
about?<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Not wanting/having time for the responsibility of being
the Kingdom Bard?<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Not thinking that you will do well?<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Enquiring minds want to know.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>You can respond either publicly to this list or
privately to<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Truly.biggs@hp.com<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Thanks for your time, <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>And for sharing your music and poetry with us
all.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText>Eleanor<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P
class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></P></FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>