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<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=915271412-01112006>Lady
Gwen,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=915271412-01112006></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=915271412-01112006>While
every competition is a bit different, I can tell you some of what to
expect most of the time.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=915271412-01112006></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=915271412-01112006>Many
times, the format(s) that you will need to perform will be announced ahead of
time. Check the Blackstar and/or the event website.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=915271412-01112006></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=915271412-01112006>Many
judges look favorably upon a performance that incorporates the event theme, or
honors the kingdom/local branch/local nobility. (Much like in period,
flattery will get you everywhere!) But it is not usually required to
perform within a particular theme.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=915271412-01112006></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=915271412-01112006>For
most competitions, you will be asked to perform 2-3 times. Usually
(but not always) everyone takes turns, doing one piece at a time. After
everyone goes, the judges will talk for a bit, and they may decide the winner
then, or ask some people to come back as finalists. Or, they may ask the
finalists to perform at court or feast.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=915271412-01112006></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=915271412-01112006>As far
as announcing yourself or getting called up, that varies. Sometimes the
order you will perform in is announced in advance, and sometimes you just jump
in when you're ready. I've only been in one competition where we actually
had heralds announce us, like on the list field. (It was actually pretty
cool!) Whatever the case, you will want to introduce yourself and your
performance. If possible, try to stay in persona while you do this.
You might say something like, "Good afternoon. I am Lady Gwen from (SCA
branch), and I'd like to share with you a new sonnet written by William
Shakespeare. You've probably heard of master Will; he's been doing some
wonderful work at the Globe Theater." As opposed to, "Hi y'all. I'm
gonna do a poem that was written in 1599, so it's period because it was before
1600. It was written by William Shakespeare. Sorry; I didn't bring
my documentation because my computer's broken."</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=915271412-01112006></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=915271412-01112006>Always
try to tell who wrote the song/story/poem, if you can. If not, tell
something about it, "This song is from Italy, but the composer's name has been
lost over the years." If you're doing an original song/story/poem, be sure
to let the judges know that you wrote it.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=915271412-01112006></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=915271412-01112006>Check
the event announcement to see if documentation is required. Many
bards prefer verbal documentation, and it is sufficient most of the time.
(You can include it with your introduction.) I actually prefer
written documentation, because it lets me go into a little more detail, and
doesn't detract from the performance with any mundanity. We could easily
start a whole thread on documentation, but quite frankly if you know a little
about the where your song/story/poem came from, when it was written, and/or who
wrote it, you're a step ahead.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=915271412-01112006></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=915271412-01112006>As far
as being scared - it will get better, but it never goes away completely (at
least not for me). What I do is try to turn the nervousness into
energy. I figure I'm nervous because I care what people think about my
performance - and that's a good thing. If I ever stop caring, why would I
perform? Just remember to breathe, and you won't pass out! If it
helps, you can also pick one person in the audience (or even plant a person
ahead of time), and sing to that one person until you feel more confident.
It does get easier - I promise!</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=915271412-01112006></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=915271412-01112006>Last,
especially if you are a singer, don't forget to warm up! Not only will it
keep you from damaging your voice, it will also help calm and "center" you
before the competition. If you were ever in choir - remember all those
scales with the nonsense words? They really work. I do a couple of
different warm us, but my favorite is "Nee Nay Nah No Noo." I sing
1-3-5-3-1 (Do-Mi-Sol-Mi-Do), then go up a half step and repeat. Keep
doing this to the top of your range, switching to "Ahs" when you're too high for
the other vowels. Then, bring it back down to the bottom of your range,
again switching to "Ahs" at the bottom of your chest voice. And yes, you
will sound pretty foolish while you're warming up, so you may want to go off in
a corner!</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=915271412-01112006></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=915271412-01112006>Hope
this helps!</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=915271412-01112006></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=915271412-01112006>Kat</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=915271412-01112006></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=915271412-01112006></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2><SPAN class=915271412-01112006></SPAN></FONT> </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></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=915271412-01112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2> <snip></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV>Could someone please tell me what you do when you put your self in front
of however many very scarey people I will be shaking in front of :-) </DIV>
<DIV>I mean do you get called up ...</DIV>
<DIV>do you announce your self </DIV>
<DIV>do you pass out </DIV>
<DIV>be so scared you are stiff ..... WHAT ??? LOL </DIV>
<DIV>do you tell who wrote the song you are going to sing recite or tell, Okay
now that I have run on at the terror mobile LOL .......please help </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>thank you Lady Gwen</DIV>
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