We originally defined the bardic arts as the three ways to tell a 
story. prose poetry and song. It became clear that music was a very 
important part of the bardic concept. We need to promote music as a 
way of communication with people. In the college run competitions we 
would gave recognition for best story, best song and best poem and 
later best music.( this was mostly instrumental. The hash marks on our 
sashes mostly showed that we had gotten a  best of class. It was in 
the 20 year of the SCA when the local groups took over the 
competitions. Most of the Baron/ess wanted to chose their own Bards. 
We went out of the competitions business. We got into the competitions 
in the first place because we wanted to guarantee competition which 
would have quality judges that chose winners for what they did that 
day. We were tired of other factors being put in the mixture. For 
example the Principality bard was chosen because she was a newcomer 
and had bought bread to event. How often have one of you had lost a 
local bardic competition because of some reason other than your 
performance? It was important for us to be judge on our skills that 
day in relation to the other performers. The best of class sub prizes 
help encourage  people in their art forms. I think their may be a need 
for little competitions like that again. There is a wonderful feeling 
that comes from recognition from fellow performers. 
Willow 


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