Another boast I had the honor of writing and performing was for my dear friend, Fionnghualla. It can be difficult to capture of the all the amazingness that is a person who does service. Their service can be silent and long done. I have known Fionnghualla since almost the beginning of my SCA career. I wanted her boast to be special and stand out. I don’t like writing boasts that just list off the persons OPID. It’s not what that person deserves. They deserve to have a unique and special experience. I dug down into my old person RAM and dug up some schtick that I hadn’t thought about in 10 or more years. There is a pirate ship which is run by all women called “The Scorned Lady”. This had popped into my brain, I did a bit of digging and research and this is what was produced.
Ahoy!
Shake in your boots and make ready
Avast your idle conversations and turn a weather eye
The Scorned Lady, Scourge of the Sea has anchored
Servant to no one but the water itself
Now enters a most ferocious creature
Her personal banner waves and never were swans and a single rose so fearsome
Make way for the string that keeps the Barony of Stonemarche tied together
My friend, Seigne (Jenn) was elevated to the order of the Laurel. I had the great honor of boasting her in. This is not even a fraction of what I think about her, but this is the < 1 minute I was allowed to have to show off my friend! Video attached.
All in attendance, tremble before the Harper, Seigne Ruadh Frizzel. Pray heed this ethereal being with a harp song that claims a listener’s heart as truly as her hunter’s shot claims a stag on the fly. With fingers that dance on strings, she weaves melodies that captivate while her arrows wing true. Like Apollo, who excelled in both archery and music, this harpist-archer seamlessly blends the elegance of her melodies with the precision of her aim. Warm is her heart as is the hearth of her home. All are welcome and so we celebrate Seigne.
Pennsic 51 was not as full as I would have liked it to be, but maybe it was what I needed. This year was weird and between the weather and a less than full schedule, I don’t know how I managed to still have an over full schedule to not spend much time in camp.
Pennsic this year was hot but manageable. Much more manageable than GNEW by a good 10 degrees or so. Spouse creature and I took 2 days to drive down instead of 1 which seemed to be a solid plan. We got there at a good time when there was no rain, which was huge! He doesn’t mind setting up in the rain, but alores alons, I am a princess.
Before we got to site, the vehicle above was spotted. This brought me a silly amount of joy. It became more joyful when I realized I knew the humans -inside- the vehicle. We were messaging directly for about 30-45 mins. It started to get the hype up for Pennsic in a way that it was going to feel like HOME.
This year we chose to camp topside with our Barony, Stonemarche. I have to give a huge shoutout to camp moms Julienne and her Excellency Dierdre. Camp was perfectly laid out, spacious and felt again, like home.
These flag-a-dos were great and our footprint was laid out for us. That was super nice. However, as mentioned before, I am a princess and do not enjoy hear. Can you tell by my face?
The rest of the day was uneventful. This was also the first year that we would be cooking all of our own meals for the whole 8 days we were there. In years past, I had camped with a group that had fed us the whole week so the only thing I needed to worry about was my medications, snacks and breakfast. I am picky about brekky and don’t really do solid food. Also, to be fair, there were snacks, but I have a specific diet I try to keep to while I am away at events. It helps keep me hydrated as well as within my needs for protein… which are high. However, none of you came here to read about my dietary needs. You can here for the tea on Pennsic and TEA I shall bring… or coffee. Hmm. I could use some coffee right about now…. anyways!
Saturday was my OMGWTFBBQSAUCE rehearsal day. I had 3 rehearsals and a performance today. Sleeping in is not a thing on the ‘getti. I learned this the same way I learn everything… sheer brute force and stubborness. Which… didn’t help. I was up-ish with the sun and spent a lazy morning in camp, drinking coffee out of “Mine-ick”. The cousin of Yorik. Rehearsals started at about 12:30 with my Laurel, Sabine. She is always warm and willing to work with my less than focused brain. We played through duets, trios. It was nice to just -play- with no judgement. My recorder site reading is rusty as I focus more on voice. We picked some pieces which we were going to play for incidental music for the Runnymeade dinner the next day and then off to my next rehearsal I went.
Just down the block, off I went to meet with my Apprentice “Niece” Adelissa. She plays a plethora of strung instruments and so I had asked her if she was willing to accompany me for one of my solo pieces that I was choosing to do. She’s is very good and a fast study. So we worked through that and then off to my final rehearsal with Amalie. She is another classically trained opera vocalist who I have been -dying- to make music with. If you have not heard her sing, you absolutely should. It was like we had always sang together. We blended well, our timbre’s were well suited for one another and we seemed to make good choices around breathing spots in a way that would not effect the music.
From that rehearsal it was time to look cute. Off to Opening ceremonies! I love the pomp that it brings. It really helps make the event for me. However, not much time to stick around as I was heading off to perform at the EK/MID Bardic Showcase.
This year the showcase was centered on stories. I don’t often tell stories because when I do I become a very different persona. Solveig the singer is very demure, well behaved and serious. Solveig the story tell is well? A goblin. I don’t know what does it to me, but telling stories, I want to get down on the ground, play with levels… tempos… emotions. Also, these days, when I tell stories, I tend to dress in more masculine presenting clothing. I can’t tell you why, it’s just what triggers in my brain. My Apprentice “Nephew” Phillipe is also a fantastic story teller. However, he was helping me “Run” this from the background perspective and wasn’t up for telling a story this year.
Thus ends my public post for Saturday.
Sunday was filled with a mix of items. My first group rehearsal for the KWP: The Reckoning By Master Lorcan, I was once again playing in the pit. No new faces this year until the slightly later edition of Phillipe. However, I was also serving as the vocal coach for the 3 performers who were in varying stages of vocal performance. I worked with them for about an hour to 90 mins and by the end of our time together, it appeared to me that they were confident enough to bring that piece to life. oh! and lots of rain
From there I hauled tush to a few tents over where I was teaching my Bardic 101 class. This class is so important for newer folks and I wish I had a class like this when I started. When I started in the SCA 14+ years ago, I didn’t really have a path or anyone I could super talk to about Bardic. I found some folks a few years later, but this class would have been a great guided tour and I am glad to keep offering it. I had 12 people attend this class and a few contact me after for more information. That is always a thrill.
Later in the evening I would be orchestrating and performing in the Runnymeade Dinner. This is a gathering of all the landed Baronages of the East Kingdom. I was originally asked to bring “High Italian Aria” like feeling to their Excellencies. I had also recruited Amalie to sing a solo and a Duet with me. She sang “It was a lover and his lass”. As a duet, we did Machaut’s “Je Ne Cuit Pas”. This piece is in Occitan french so additional pronunciation research had to be done. And I finally finished with I’vo’ Bene. by Firenze The below picture captures 3 generations so to speak. My Laurel, Sabine, Myself and my student, Drustan.
This was also a chance for him to be exposed more and people could see him performing more. Covid killed a lot of folks desires to perform and be seen in public. He is working through this. So, he brought his guitar and a goose quill and he did a lovely job of playing for 20 minutes just as background music.
I had recruited about 8-9 performers to play and there was a lot of quick thinking as 1 of my musicians who I was counting on bowed out and the other did not show due to illness. So, re-organization needed to happen and quickly. I tried to make sure everyone had a chance to be seen/heard but of course, things never go according to plan. I think I should have made sure i had more reasonable backup plans besides “You go here now”.
We had only been asked to play until about 8 or so. From there, the instrumentalists packed up and made a quick stop at Bhakail’s boardgame and music night. I premiered my new song for the first time this week and I think it went well. We had stormed into camp like a flock of geese singing “Well Actually” by Her Excellency Emma Macalmone and then hailed Bhakail with a mighty “WAUGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”.
As dark o’clock rolled in we then hit VDK Bardic which is hosted by her Grace Caoilfhionn. Which, she, herself also has quite a beautiful voice. If you haven’t listened to the “Sing for the East” CD, she sings with Drake on “We are the East”. Anyways, I rolled in with the Bard Yard and once again, showed off my new song. This is important to me as I am super anxious about sharing my own work. I always feel like it’s never as good as anyone else’s. I know we cannot compare as all music is it’s own creation, but I want this piece in particular to be an anthem for “The Bards”. I can never tell if anything is well received or not, especially when the audience is small. So, I stuck around for a little bit, chatted with friends and again, back to N33 I went!.
Monday was my first instrumental Reckoning rehearsal, followed by running the annual Pennsic EKCOP meeting but nothing too flavorful for the day.
Tuesday was rehearsal, court and retaining and hitting up Silver Oak Bardic. I brought minstrels memory and a story as this was a group of select Bards who were performing for their own love and they were all skilled “Hand Picked” performers.
Wednesday was the same, but replace Silveroak bardic with the Holy Kingdom of Acre Bardic. Acre is a parallel game to ours. I have made many friends in their game and they are a lovely group of people so I try to make it to their Bardics.
Thursday was a big day for me. I would be teaching my intro to 16th century vocal technique and pedagogy. I am passionate about the voice and showing folks that there is more to singing than just opening your mouth. It is an Olympic sport with lots of research. I was only able to touch on a few key factors from key players into the 16th century for performance, who was singing and what ornaments were being used, but I was pleased that I had 6 participants come to my class, Thursday morning at 10:00 am ACROSS the battlefield.
Later that morning I had the joy of giving a private voice lesson from my camp. I had donated an hour of singing for voice lessons to a young human who had a passion for singing. It had been about 10 years since I worked with someone her age and it was really nice. Her enthusiasm and willingness to grow was so fresh and great to see. Her guardian was also a big support in her growth and I really enjoyed both of them. I do hope they continue to pursue voice with kiddo.
Friday Fri-yay! Just the reckoning on the schedule. A few pictures below, stolen from the beautiful Emeline (Phillipe’s Spouse and good friend of mine as well). Our performance was a performance. I don’t have much to say about it because it’s a pit performance. We weren’t meant to be the shining stars. The Stage actors and Actresses were and they did a phenomenal job.
Like I said… not much to report this year. It wasn’t terrible but it wasn’t amazing either. Hoping next year changes that.
Based -VERY closely on Chaucers 2nd speech from “A Knights Tale”
Video courtesy of Arlyanna van Wyck
Your Majesties, Your Highness, And everybody else here NOT sitting on a cushion:
Today, today, you find yourselves equals.
For you are all equally blessed.
For I have the pride, the privilege, nay, the pleasure Of introducing to you a woman about to be elevated, sired by generations of Pelicans before her, A woman who can trace her lineage back to before the founding of the Society! Or, at least, to Master Harold.
I first met her atop the snow capped lands of Stonemarche, Palio if you will, Working her hands in soil, mud, sweat and blood Never asking for help, asking only for forgiveness that her flesh and bones could not labor beyond the bounds of human endurance.
Next, she amazed me still further at Harper’s When she saved a lame duckFrom the would-be demolishment of a multi-remove feast. Bashing away forks, knives, spoons all utensils with her bare hands This duck? It may have been her own
At Birka, she spent a day sitting still, never moving an inch, or clattering an item Just to better understand what stillness felt like.
And so, without further gilding the lily, And with no more ado,
I give to you the Seeker of Service, The Ambassador of Aide , The Matron of Maintenance The One — The Only — Tessa Martini D’agnostino!
Sometimes you just need to sing. Living in the southern edge of NH means I don’t have a ton of folx I can be like SING WITH ME. Especially the night before an event. So, I decided to make some music with myself-ish.
Last year, I was honored to be able to participate in a concern hosted by my friend, Colette. We sang a mix of pieces, but I fell in love with a piece by Machaut which we performed. The version of the piece we sang was a duet. This could be done with 2 voices, voice and instrument, 2 instruments. We performed with 2 instruments.
Colette had sent everyone learning tracks (Being the amazingly kind human that they are). I still had access to these tracks so I grabbed the one for the bottom part so I could sing with it. It is Colette la Trouvere singing the bottom.
Another scroll which I was asked to wordsmith for. I didn’t know the recipient at all but I tried to capture a regal form of his service for this scroll. This was for the Baronial Service award
Hear the mighty decree of Baron Muin to his fine flaming salamander kin! Loyal servant to the Barony, Mikael Melrakki epitomizes the essence of service to the Barony, his commitment unwavering, his dedication unparalleled. Offering his home as a bastion of camaraderie, he fosters unity through countless practices, where ranged warriors hone their skills and bonds are forged.
His abode doubles not only as a sanctuary for armaments but also as a repository for the Barony’s treasures, housing supplies essential for events and festivities. Yet, Mikael’s service extends beyond the confines of his dwelling. As the Minister of Lists, he ensures fairness on the field, meticulously maintaining records and overseeing tournaments with impartiality and integrity. His selfless contributions uplift the entire Barony, his passion igniting a flame of inspiration in others.
Let it be known throughout Bhakail and the Known World that Mikael shall be inducted into the Order of the Horse at the Waking of the Salamander, AS 58.
Calligraphy and Illumination done by Gretchen Schroeder
The signet of Bhakail and I have become decently close. Having 2 peers connected to Bhakail, it is a second home to me (despite it being -across- the kingdom. Anyways, Bhakail takes their board gaming seriously. So, to counter that, I felt that a scroll with alliteration was in order. Nothing period about this besides the board games themselves but I have fun writing it.
Bhakail’s board gaming virtuoso, who brings brilliance, boasts breathtaking mastery beyond bounds and battles brainy opponents, is blessed with strategy, which baffles adversaries. They employ bewitching moves that bedazzle both beginners and seasoned players. Today, done by Baron Muin at Bhakail’s Tavern, ______________ is named Bhakail’s beloved Board gaming champion, where they also serve a beacon of camaraderie that binds the Barony together creating a bond that beautifully bridges generations and backgrounds. Brimming with benevolence, the Baronial champion shares boundless board game wisdom, fostering a bustling community of budding board gamers.
Scroll Calligraphy by Gretchen Schroeder Illumination Laura Louise
My dear friend, Kiaya, was being elevated to the Order of the Laurel. She has been a peer to me in so many ways since I met her and her family. I was asked to boast her in. I asked her what type of boast she wanted. Her prompt was “Channel Ryou”. Challenge accepted. My original creation was 350 words… which… was a bit lengthy. This is what I was able to shorten it to and still have it capture their essence.
Good gentles, peers and nobles all …Behold the illustrious Keziah Planchette, Baron of Stonemarche, Member of the order of the Maunche, Member of the order of the Silver Crescent, Tygers cub, Recipient of the Consorts order of Courtesy, whose valor echoes through the annals of history! Who stands as a beacon of hope in the darkest of times!
With quill in hand, she is swift as lightning, eye as sharp as the keenest blade.
With brush, conjures visions of unparalleled beauty, capturing the essence of life itself!
Keziah fearlessly defends the innocent and upholds justice in the face of adversity. Her valor knows no bounds.Therein beats a heart, overflowing with kindness and empathy. Known far and wide as a champion of the unseen. From the newest babe to the highest crown, all find solace in the benevolence of Baron Keziah.
let it be known throughout the land that Keziah Planchette is not merely a Baron, but a paragon of virtue. inspiring generations yet to come to strive for greatness and embody the virtues of bravery, kindness, and creativity. Long may her legend endure!
There is nothing period about the way I composed this piece. However, I knew I wanted to make this scroll special for this little velociraptor. I wanted it to be whimsical and also capture who this mighty cub was. I was so lucky to work with this blossoming scribe, Octavia. Enjoy
In the Barony of Smoking Rocks, amidst cobblestone streets and whispered legends, there resides the charming Genevieve. She waltzes through life’s melodies, her heart tuned to the rhythm of society’s gatherings. With a twirl and a flourish, her laughter echoing across the lands.
Yet, beneath her graceful steps, Genevieve harbored a whimsical spirit, one that found joy in the simplest of pleasures. Amidst the bustling events, she immerses herself in finding any way she can help. Her favorite activity is tending to the children’s toybox. She makes sure no youth is left empty handed.
But Genevieve’s kindness knows no bounds. While others revel, she slips away, sleeves rolled up, to aid in the tidying of the village square and counting points. From battles to challenges, she does this with diligence and a smile. For her, happiness lay not just in the glimmer of the dance floor but also in the warmth of community and in the satisfaction of a job well done.
With this, we Matthias and Aesa Feillinn, Crown and Consort of the realm, with the power vested in our hands, do induct Genevieve of Lochleven into her rightful place as a member of the Order of the Tyger’s cub. We do so with joy March 2 AS 58 at East Kingdom Arts and Science Championshop.
I often stray away from arts and sciences competitions. It’s hard enough as a vocalist to show prowess in an ephemeral art. It is also difficult to convey information to this art as it simply is it’s own language. Music is a refined language, spoken by many, but felt by all.
How do you judge something that cannot be touched or smelled or tasted? How can you judge a feeling? How do you judge something that you cannot describe? Did you miss something? Why was this good or bad?
“I don’t like this because (Insert genre here) is boring”. “Gross it’s in ( insert foreign language)”. “No one likes vibrato” “I hate straight tone” “Too many notes for the royale ear!” (Bonus points if you can name that movie).
Taste plays a lot into performance. To break out objectivity into a performance is completely impossible. How could we add objectivity to it? That was my goal with this grouped up project. I wanted to show my research and why my performance choices were period, while explaining my aesthetic choices and provide examples of each objectively to prove a point.
The first linked paper below is regarding the overall performance of Downland’s, “Flow My Tears”. However, there is a controversial discussion regarding one specific performance technique. So, I decided to research it and show why -I believe- that, although the word “Vibrato” did not exist until the 17th century, it was likely an active performance technique, used as an ornament as opposed to being completely expunged.
Points to anyone who reads my paper and understands why “The GOAT”.
I didn’t expect to win as my project didn’t meet the rubric at all but there was a challenge. I entered as a chance to receive some feedback to see where I was on my A and S journey. Out of 25 points I scored a 21 and a 22. I will take it.
The other proud moment for me was I -almost- won populace choice…. WITH A RESEARCH PAPER. Not many thoughts on this but I figured this was a good start. More research to come.
Meddlings of the Minnesinger 