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<DIV><SPAN class=032100412-08052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>My
standards must be lower, for I do not feel as if I were an afterthought in the
SCA.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=032100412-08052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=032100412-08052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>At
every event I go to, I note many who hold performers/bards in high esteem.
Warriors are cautioned not to stir the anger of a bard, we are often asked to
entertain, and I've seen a hall grow silent at the performance of those who have
practiced. I have seen skalds grab the attention of a fireside gathering
and through skill of story-telling and use of words whisk us from the warm
coastal region to the cold northlands with tales of old Norse gods.
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=032100412-08052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=032100412-08052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>I
agree that civility and courtesy are things we should practice within our
performance community as well as through life. So where does this
perception that we, as performers, are "<FONT face="Times New Roman"
color=#000000 size=3>red-headed step-children" </FONT></FONT></SPAN><FONT
face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=032100412-08052007>come
from?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>In service to the dream with a song in my heart, I am,<BR>HL
Gerald of Leesville<BR>A bard of Stargate </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> bards-bounces@lists.ansteorra.org
[mailto:bards-bounces@lists.ansteorra.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Della
H<BR><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, May 08, 2007 12:23 AM<BR><B>To:</B> Ansteorran Bardic
list<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Bards] Situations That Ruin Bardic
Circles<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">Yes,
as a matter of fact, there was mention of interrupting someone in the middle of
a performance. I personally find that to be a boarish and rude tack to
take. That particular solution prompted me to rally the troops for
courtesy and civility among fellow bards. We are unfortunately already the
red-headed step-children of the SCA and we do not need to breed that further by
acting dishonorably to our peers. </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif"> </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">Della<BR><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">-----
Original Message ----<BR>From: Ken Theriot
<kentheriot@ravenboymusic.com><BR>To: Ansteorran Bardic list
<bards@lists.ansteorra.org><BR>Sent: Monday, May 7, 2007 8:49:51
PM<BR>Subject: Re: [Bards] Situations That Ruin Bardic Circles<BR><BR>
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<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I was pretty sure we
had all come to that conclusion earlier. Was there a suggestion that we be
rude to someone publicly?</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Kenneth</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
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<P class=MsoNormal><B><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">From:</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT
face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">
bards-bounces@lists.ansteorra.org [mailto:bards-bounces@lists.ansteorra.org]
<B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">On Behalf Of </SPAN></B>Beth
Wolff<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sent:</SPAN></B> Monday, May 07,
2007 8:44 PM<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">To:</SPAN></B> Ansteorran
Bardic list<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Subject:</SPAN></B> Re:
[Bards] Situations That Ruin Bardic Circles</SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Hear! Hear!</SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Well spoken, </SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">I couldn't have said it better
myself.</SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN></FONT> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Elanor<BR><BR><B><I><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Della H
<elf_kind1980@yahoo.com></SPAN></I></B> wrote:</SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
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<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Okay, </SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">I've been quiet long
enough. </SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">First of all, being an aspiring
music teacher in real life, I do not under ANY circumstances believe
there to be a "bad" bard. There are people that do need guidance, and
when they ask where to find it they will find places such as Craggenworth and
the like. Second, in regards to what should "done" about said "bad"
bards. It is my humble opinion that either you take the time to walk
away and get your drink, endure the 3-5 minutes that person is up there, or
POLITELY talk to them AFTER their performance. If they aren't receptive,
then they aren't receptive to the way that they were offered criticism and you
should try a different approach. It is NEVER, NEVER, NEVER okay to
interrupt someone as Quill suggests. We as good bards should be setting
the example of good behavior and courtesy that we all expect in return.
Robert said it best (paraphrasing): That bardic circles are meant to be fun,
and while a bad bard is not fun, neither is hurting someones
feelings. I was under the impression that courtesy was a valued virtue
in Ansteorra. </SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN></FONT> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">That would be my humble opinion. Thanks for
hearing me out.</SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN></FONT> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Della </SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><BR><BR> </SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">----- Original Message ----<BR>From: Ken
Theriot < kentheriot@ravenboymusic.com ><BR>To: Ansteorran Bardic list
<bards@lists.ansteorra.org><BR>Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2007 4:57:55
PM<BR>Subject: [Bards] Situations That Ruin Bardic Circles</SPAN></FONT></P>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">This is sort of a follow-on to what Dutchess Willow
has posted in regard to<BR>bardic circles. This is, of course, my
opinion. So with that intro....<BR><BR>Bardic circles represent the
primary type of venue for us to perform at<BR>events. There are
obviously other circumstances where people perform, but I<BR>want to focus on
the bardic circle. What makes a good one? What makes
a<BR>bad one? <BR><BR>Good Circles: Smallish circle (no
more than 15-20 people...around 10 is<BR>best), not a competition,
well-ordered (turn passes from person to person in<BR>a specific order), and
time-limited (performances should not be more than,<BR>say, 10
minutes). Why does this describe a "good" circle? The
more people<BR>there are, the less airtime we get. My underlying
premise is that as bards,<BR>we like to perform....in front of an
audience. This may not be universal.<BR>But if there is a bard out
there who does not enjoy performing, I'd say they<BR>are in the severe
minority. <BR><BR>Bad Circles: Mainly the opposite of
the above. Let's start with size.<BR>With 20 people in a circle
(assuming they only take an average of 5 minutes<BR>for their piece, AND the
turn is passing in order), you will get to perform<BR>1 piece every hour and a
half. Now if we start adding people, and factoring<BR>in the longer
times, it just goes up from there. For example, let's take
30<BR>bards doing an average performance of 6 minutes. Now you're
only getting to<BR>perform every 2 hours. If we add in lack of
regulation it gets even worse.<BR>When poorly regulated, people will just jump
in and start<BR>performing...sometimes performing more than one piece on their
turn. This<BR>happened several times at a recent circle that many
on this list attended.<BR>It is not fair to other bards at best, and downright
rude when there IS<BR>supposed to be an order, but people simply jump the
line. In these<BR>situations, the loudest, most forceful bard
dominates (regardless of<BR>talent), and the more unassuming bards perform
little or not at all. The<BR>solution to most of the above problems
is to have a circle leader who<BR>maintains
control. <BR><BR>Summary of Common Problems with Bardic Circles and
How to Solve Them: <BR><BR>1. Problem: People who perform without
waiting their turn. Reason: not<BR>fair to those who HAVE waited
their turn. This refers to folks wandering<BR>into the circle and
those already in the circle. Solution: Circle leader<BR>does not
give permission for interlopers/turn-jumpers to
perform.<BR><BR>2. Problem: Stories that are 20+ minutes
long!!!! Reason: Hogging airtime.<BR>Solution: If you have a 20
minute story, serialize it into 10-minute<BR>increments and do one increment
per turn. Circle leader must state a<BR>10-minute (or some other
agreed-upon time) rule up front, and
periodically<BR>thereafter. <BR><BR>3. Problem: Songs
filked to obviously modern tunes (A filk to "Will The<BR>Circle Be Unbroken"
is one I have heard twice in the past 6 months).<BR>Reason: Some people like
to put the modern world behind them at SCA events<BR>(go
figure!). Doing modern filks ruins that for those
people. Solution:<BR>Circle leader must state this preference up
front, and/or gauge whether the<BR>atmosphere is right. I have (I
admit it) heard songs like this that I like.<BR>Efenwealt's "Ophelia" sung to
"Cecilia" is actually really
funny.<BR><BR>4. Problem: Bardic Circles With More than
20 People. Reason: Stated<BR>above. Solution: This is
tough, and there is no easy solution. It would<BR>seem rude to turn
people away if they want to join the circle. Suggestions:<BR>1. For
every new person that joins after a certain point, reduce the<BR>time-limit
per piece. 2. Hold a private, invite-only
circle.<BR><BR>5. Problem: Bardic Circle As a
Competition. Reason: Circles are for<BR>everyone to enjoy
themselves. Competitions have a different goal, and tend<BR>to
create a more stressful atmosphere. Solution: Hold competitions in
other<BR>venues...during the day (just my
preference).<BR><BR>6. Problem: Bardic Circle Doesn't
Happen. Reason: Obvious...no bardic!<BR>How many times
have you been at an event, where there are many bards, and no<BR>circle is
happening? Sometimes there is even a mention (or footnote,
more<BR>like) of bardic in the newsletter, or at court. But it was
just an<BR>afterthought with no
planning. Solution: Schedule and publicize the
circle<BR>(must put one person in charge and state time and
location).<BR><BR>So that's my story, and I'm sticking with
it:). It's just my opinion.<BR>Others may
disagree.<BR><BR>Kenneth <BR><BR>
<BR><BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>Bards mailing
list<BR>Bards@lists.ansteorra.org<BR><A
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target=_blank
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<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN></FONT> </P></DIV></DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<DIV class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<HR align=center width="100%" SIZE=1>
</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
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_______________________________________________<BR>Bards mailing
list<BR>Bards@lists.ansteorra.org<BR>http://lists.ansteorra.org/listinfo.cgi/bards-ansteorra.org</SPAN></FONT></P></BLOCKQUOTE>
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<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#033d21 size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #033d21; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'">Make a
joyful noise unto your Kingdom! <IMG id=_x0000_i1026 height=18 width=18 border=0
NOSEND="1"></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></DIV>
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