<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><P>I don't respond often but this question brings me from lurking....</P>
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<P>I do not like labels or limiting people by standards when identifying themselves. </P>
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<P>Is there a standard for someone to call themselves a fighter? a writer? an actor?</P>
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<P>I suppose this comes from my studies where I was often told by teachers "Don't say you want to be an actor someday. Just be one!"</P>
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<P>This is purely my opinion but if someone wants to call themselves something that is not a specific title, they should be allowed to do so. There are actors out there that call themselves such, that I don't believe have any ounce of talent at the art, but it is not for me to tell them that they are not an actor. That is for them to decide. I think it should be the same for the word bard, unless for some reason it becomes an official SCA title at some point.</P>
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<P>I think by setting standards for an artists to call themselves and artist, you are already setting a limit and control on their creativity. Art in of itself embodies a personal need for the freedom to express. By placing rules on that expression we limit the freedom and therefore the art.</P>
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<P>But as always that is my opinion, take it as you will :)</P>
<P>Lady Vyvyanne</P>
<P>Artist, Bard, Actress, Writer, Dreamer, etc.....</P>
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<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">----- Original Message ----<BR>From: John Hirling <jhirling@gmail.com><BR>To: Ansteorran Bardic list <bards@lists.ansteorra.org><BR>Sent: Sunday, January 6, 2008 11:42:18 AM<BR>Subject: [Bards] Standards<BR><BR>Greetings all<BR><BR>I would like to have your feedback on two issues:<BR><BR>1. Would you like to see 'standards' for bards? For example, would it be helpful if anyone who desired to call him or herself a bard would immediately be considered a beginning bard; a bard who could show a certain repertoire would be considered an intermediate bard; and a bard who exhibited an exceptional repertoire would be considered an advanced bard. if so, <BR><BR>a) what criteria would you recommend for an intermediate bard; for an advanced bard;<BR><BR>b) should any criterion be qualitative or should they all be quantitative;<BR><BR>c) what
procedure would you suggest for determining a change in standard for a bard? <BR><BR>If you do not believe standards would be helpful, why not?<BR><BR>2) If you support the idea of standards, should a certain standard be required to enter Eisteddfod?<BR><BR>For purposes of this initial discussion, I'd appreciate it if you respond to this email and not to another's opinion. Also, while the past can be informative, the present and the future are ours to shape. Let us look to that. <BR><BR>Having said all that, of course, you will respond as you see fit :)<BR><BR>Warmest regards,<BR><BR>Ihon Vinson macFergus, OL<BR>Premier Bard of Ansteorra<BR>Deputy MoAS for Bardic & Performance<BR><BR> -- <BR>" When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle." Edmund Burke</DIV><BR></DIV></div><br>
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