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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>OK I have piped up and outlined a basic form for
documentation and generally just watched most of this thread. </FONT><FONT
face=Arial size=2>However I am now going to stand on my rickety little whisky
crate and well be a long winded bardic type :P</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>It is my view that a "bard" in the SCA should be
able to do one of two things (though both is pretty darn cool) </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>1. Write an original piece. I really don't care if
it follows a period model or not, but I like hearing original pieces. Our
history in the SCA and our Kingdom is carried on through this type of work as
well as some really kick A** stuff that is just happens to be on period
topics</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>2. Find a period piece to perform. This really
isn't all that hard a thing to do. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The whole documentation issue to me is not a big
deal. I can write it really well, but I don't like to. I am just as happy with
getting lost in the performance being given. My personal ideal when watching,
judging or performing is a piece so gripping that the audience is lost in
silence for 10 seconds or so before they realize it is done. Some want to
move the audience to tears, others want to raise the marshal spirit with the
stomping of feet and raising of tankards. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>In order to any of this we have to learn to read an
audience and chose our piece accordingly. ie it is usually not a good thing to
walk into a circle of late period types discussing the merits of Marlowe vs
Shakespeare and sing "A Grazing Mace" on the same token wandering into a party
camp and singing a tragic Irish lament doesn't always work well
either. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>To me the major difference between ours and other
performance arts in the SCA is that we princely act as soloist, usually without
accompanist. (ME Dance comes the closest and they have the choice of the canned
music or hoping the drummers are good tonight) Stepping out before the audience
on a star lit night with no net and no where to go but into my own imagination
as the piece carries me away is a rush like none other I know. If I have to
write docs to be allowed upon the stage I will, but I will also keep doing my
own thing as long as I am able. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Ok enough rambling my whisky crate is starting to
crumble</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>In Service</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Darius</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>