LR- Bardic

[Padraig Ruad]

Cait, 

There's not much for me to add, as Galen covered everything very well.  Of course, he modestly did not add that he himself is a bard of some note, so I will point that out.  Our good Baron is one of the bards that I measure my own bardic standards by.

Also, Master Ulf, the current Premier Bard of Ansteorra, has posted information on Eisteddfodd at http://www.ansteorra.org/eisteddfod.html

The more sure you are of the pieces you intend to do, the better, so your plan of practicing them at your family gathering is a good one.  Competition is sure to be fierce; we are blessed with many talented bards in Ansteorra.  But being an established bard is no guarantee of victory; I seen and participated in many competitions where the new, fresh voice was the one that carried the day.  A good example occurred at our own Lughnasad event this past August, where a young man who had never competed before impressed the gathered circle and the panel of judges so much that there was little question that he should become the Premier Titled Bard of Loch Ruadh.

Padraig
----------
Nunc Est Bibendum
**********
Politicians prefer unarmed peasants.


---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: baron at elfsea.ansteorra.org
Reply-To: loch-ruadh at ansteorra.org
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2000 11:17:44 -0600

>Quoting Cait OHara <sonja_crocker at juno.com>:
>
>> I was just wondering what the Bardic Competition at 
>> 12th Night will be like.  
>
>At Steppes 12th Night?  As I understand it, the bardic 
>there is the Kingdom Eisteddfodd, the annual kingdom 
>bardic championship.
>
>> How many songs will I have to sing?  This is the 
>> first time I will be performing for the SCA.  
>
>Traditionally the Eisteddfodd has been an elimination 
>competition.  In each "round", two bards will perform 
>each in turn, and a winner of the two will be chosen.  
>When you've lost twice, you're out.  
>
>You have to husband your repetoire, saving your best 
>pieces for later, but being sure to use a good enough 
>piece to get past the current opponent.
>
>> Although I have been in several plays, this
>> will be quite different.  I only have a couple of 
>> songs prepared.  Should I do stories as well?  
>
>Absolutely include whatever you have, stories, songs, 
>poems, etc.
>
>> Will I perform for judges or the poplulace?  
>
>Judges certainly, probably a group of spectators as 
>well.
>
>> Will it be in rounds or free form?  I have no idea 
>> what to expect.  Should I perform my pieces at the 
>> Wandering Bardic on that Friday or should I save
>> them for Saturday?  
>
>Wandering Bardic is a _very_ different venue, but very 
>good practice for any bardic work.
>
>> Is this the one where we play for the cloak?  
>
>This next bardic night?  I think it is.
>
>> I was even wondering if the pieces I have chosen will 
>> be appropriate (they are bawdy).  
>
>Bawdy is usually OK (just not obscene), especially at 
>bardic night.  Much more likely to have kids at 12th 
>Night.
>
>> Or, should I sing  slow, moving songs?  
>
>Sometimes those are good too.  Depends on the mood, and 
>what the person ahead of you just did.  Being able to 
>make that sort of judgement on the fly, I think, is 
>part of what makes a good bard.
>
>> Help!
>
>I hope these comments may be of some use.
> 
>> Cait
>
>- Galen of Bristol
>
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