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.
GNEW has been one of 2 events I have never missed since I started in the SCA in 2010. It has seen me at my worst and it has seen me at my best. This year I was in charge of running -all- performance related items as well as had separately been in charge of all performances for “The Deed of Arms”.
The weather was not anticipated to behave and it was also looking to be excruciatingly hot. I had apprehension about attending, but I know I had duties to complete. I had recruited a deputy to help alleviate some of my commitments as well as additional help for one of the classes I was running, but life happened.
Thursday, Wolfgang, Smöl and I arrived on site to realize we had forgotten some things, so off to ye olde Walmart I went. Upon return, I started with a rehearsal for the Deed of Arms. For anyone who doesn’t know, The Deed of Arms is a 14th century immersion battle scenario, inclusive of a gallery. One of my vocalists had dropped last minute and another did not make it back to site. I had created a contingency plan to make this all work. I was lucky that we worked through several quirks of the music and was able to create a more comfortable situation for each of the performers. The music was all 14th century homophonic or polyphonic and to a level that individuals who were not deeply immersed in music could manage in a short period of time. For vocalists we did “Miri it is”, “Sumer is icumen in”, “Dona Nobis Pacem” and “Ecco la Primavera”. Our Bagpipist played “Douce Dame Jolie”, “Stella Splendens” and “Quant je sui mis au retour” and our poet did a 3 minute poem”. In addition, Aalina sang ” Ego Humilitas” from Ordo Virtutum by Hildegard von Bingen and ” Ut Queant Laxis”, an 11th century Gregorian chant. However, I only rehearsed with the vocalist ensemble.
To help my vocalists prepare, I created learning tracks for each of the songs and voice parts.:
Friday am started with a youth Bardic circle. I only had 2 youth who showed up, but heck did they sing their little hearts out about unicorns everywhere and pandas everywhere.
Rehearsal 2 and I found out that my 4th vocalist who was supposed to double the bottom of Ecco with me was in a car accident and would not be attending for the rest of the day so PLAN B.
A short break and then off to teach my rounds class. I had a women come who asked if she could just listen. I coaxed her to sing with us anyways and she was a very welcome addition. All of my attendees did a wonderful job. One of them was BRAND NEW to the SCA and I got to listen to his beautiful voice as well.
The Deed of Arms came and my amazing vocalists joined me (Plus my student who was fighting in the Deed) and a resounding applause. It seemed we were well received. More planning for next year to see if we can obtain a larger ensemble and more music can be made.
Saturday and back at it. I was not really anticipating anyone would show up to my recorder jam. This was a class to be a supportive measure for newer recorder players and a way to give out resources so they could obtain free music and also music transcribed by other scadians. Much to my surprise, I had 3 attendees. We worked through one of the Carmina Buranas from Al Cofrin’s books. We have varying level of skills in the group but great attitude. This is what we accomplished:
I ran off to Tiffan’s vigil to present them with a Taranus wheel I had made them but forgot to take a picture. Whoops. Oh well.
Then after I ran an adults Bardic Circle in the Barn. This was unusual. We typically imagine Bardic during the night. We wanted to try to create an accessible bardic space. If you think about those who cannot camp, those who have difficulty seeing in the dark, dealing with flickering lights and those with families, bardic at night can be difficult. We had about 10 of us over 2 hours but everyone got several turns, new friends made and all in all a delight!
Over both days I also organized having a puppet show for the youth each day.
Finally! Reprive! I get to sit for court. I knew many people receiving well deserved awards. Little did I know, one of those people would be me. We were getting towards the end of court and the smöl was still there despite me having offered to let him head back to camp. 4 hours for a 10 year old is ROUGH. I was so proud of him that he sat with us. Then, I had lost attention for a breif moment as a friend was asking about Bardic for the night. I had to sadly admit we were heading home because of the weather when my husband started pulling me up to the Dias. My name was called. Why? I missed who was up there. What did I do?
Apparently, it was time to join the order of the Silver crescent. This is an award for your dedicated service to the kingdom. I do what I do because I love this game, the people, events happening and I can’t watch things burn. To hear I was receiving an award for it blew my mind.
Here is the scroll I received:
Now you all know this bard and their song. While hours do go by, I’ll keep you apprised. For the deeds of Solveig should be heard ‘cross the East. Let all hear my words about the service and fight. Let’s sing the bard’s song.
Chatelaines are all work and play, welcome us home. Newcomers will always know her name. But the bards’ service will remain. Her hard work will set the stage where performers play. Their fame lives on due to her service strong.
There’s only one song left to be sung. Tale of a brave bard called before the throne. Now the Order gathers to welcome them near. No one need ask you how they serve the Kingdom. We’ll tell their story.
So is the fame sung of our bard, one Solveig Bjarnardottir, by Ardri Brennan and Ardrígain Caoilfhionn, who proclaim her inclusion into the ranks of the Order of the Silver Crescent. Their words are received by beloved populace and joyous companions alike upon the field of the Great Northeastern War this fifteenth day of July, AS LVIII (58).
Scroll by THL Lily Aubrey, Words by THL Eleanor Grey
Beyond that there was one more item. The medallion I received belong to my mentor, my Pelican, Rowen Cloteworthy. This was his. My first and only legacy piece.
As a bard, this is the best gift you can receive. There is a story. A story is how someone lives forever. Thank you, Jedi, for this most precious gift. The cord, also beautifully and lovingly crafted by the amazing Astridr Saegersdottir. I feel truly loved.
Pray attend and heed the decree of the mighty Brehennis Corotica. For today, a cacophony of mighty words, movements, magic and song were put on display for all of the great eastern populace to behold. Various and a sundry of challenges were presented to the finest performers in our kingdom. Unrelentingly did each Bard compete to hold the sacred title of Champion to our most noble and cherished Consort. It shall be written in the tomes of time that _________ was awarded the title of Consorts Bardic Champion at the East Kingdom Bardic Championship, February 4, Anno Societatis 57.
It was finally time to step down. Although I have been serving as Consorts Bardic champ since only May, it still had a major emotional impact on my life. This is not a negative reflection serving as champ, but quite the opposite.
When I was chosen to serve as consorts champ, I was overwhelmed with pride and plans. I was going to make a change and I was going to change the world, minds, judgements. I was going to make people feel welcome. New Bards, Old Bards, those who didn’t like Bards and those who loved bards. I had plans.
I put out monthly challenges, trying to inspire folx to capture the history of our kingdom, to capture to memories, to challenges themselves and stretch themselves and mayhap try something new that they hadn’t done before. I taught classes in whatever capacity I could. I ran the ad hoc choir, I ran impromptu rounds circles. I taught privately and I shared my knowledge with anyone who would have me and would listen. I served on the A and S team and I showed the deep breadth of knowledge and information that went into preparing a single piece of performance. I performed at their majesties whim and I filled time in court. I continued to run EKCoP (East Kingdom College of Performers) events and helped established a budget for the college so we could spread our reach. I took a new student.
I created a rubric to support the kingdom and have a more fair overview of bardic judging and how to be fair about the review when comparing apples to dolphins.
I traveled down ahead of time with my best mundane friend, Jena (Going by Faelinn in the SCA). In introduced her to Rein’s, in Vernon, CT as a treat. Unlimited pickles and just a gosh darn good sandwhich. She was originally going to compete, but health got in the way. She still went down with me to support me. We may have also stopped at the fabric mecca, the $2.99 fabric store.
After the drive was completed, I spent the next few days with family. My sister lives about an hour from the event site, so I spent a few days of quiet with my Sister, B.I.L, nieces and their elderly dog, Beaujolais.
Friday night, Wolfgang (Husband) flew down and I picked him up from the Philly airport. He wanted to support me running the competition and stepping down. He’s a good egg that way and the best partner I could ever ask for.
The next day came….
It was time to turn over the sash. I worked diligently with my co- champ, Leyli Shirazi to concoct a fair competition. I worked with her on the wording and we split up the work to spread the word. I worked with the amazing Event Steward, Alison Wodehalle and she made sure the performers would everything they needed and more.
Day of, it was time for the sash to go. Had I done enough? Had I served my kingdom enough?
I was in my wedding dress. It fit a lot better now since it has been taken in 4 clothing sizes. I had transformed since I had taken this job. Physically and mentally. My hair was gone, I had seen things but I had my armor. I think I was ready for the day to begin. My best friends and my family surrounded me. The Bardic community is that. Family. We are not in competition, we are there for one another, all just trying to get the same job.
About 2 weeks prior, my friend… my -dear- friend, Isabeau was taken from us. It hurt. She was going to be there. She was going to sit beside me… us… and help us bring in the new kingdom champs. She was taken from us. It wasn’t fair. She was too good to have been taken. The world still needed her music, her gentle beauty, inside and out. I was anxious trying to find a way to serve her memory.
At the end of court, I spoke these words… This… this is what happened.
Greetings your majesties, highnesses, excellencies and all in attendance. Welcome everyone to the 2023 Bardic Championships! I want to thank each and every one of you for joining us today. Although this is a day of competition, this is also a day of celebration. We are a community of music, story, theater, magic and pure joy. Today will be a day in which we continue our legacy and find the newest successors for the crown. As we support our community, I am saddened to note that we are without one of own. Mistress Isabeau d’Orleans was taken from us a couple weeks ago and the loss of her music and joy is felt amongst us all. Isabeau was a pillar of the music community in the East Kingdom and beyond. She served as Consorts Bardic Champion in 1996 and always there to be found performing, teaching, and sharing music. With the permission of the competitors, I would like to dedicate the day to her.
In addition to the dedication, instead of a moment of silence, I think it would be more befitted to Isabeau to have a moment of song. I’d like to ask everyone to join me in singing for Isabeau. Dona Nobis Pacem is what I would call the summoning of Bards. Feel free to sing a long.
I figured if I had read it aloud, it wouldn’t be real and I could get through it.
The room was full of song. It started and ended naturally. Did I do enough? I hope so. She deserved the best.
We had 11 competitors. All of varying skills. We had singing, poetry, stories and magic. Pieces ranging from Eastern to Western Culture and from early to late period. Every performer shared a piece of their hearts and was vulnerable. We were all vulnerable that day. Performers are vulnerable because not only are they working hard on their craft, but they are sharing a piece of their heart with you… a stranger, friend, in between. I didn’t want to have to cut anyone from the competition. Each individual who competed would have made an excellent champ.
For the final round of judging, we, the non royal judges, recused ourselves and let the royals pick their final choices. I didn’t want that responsibility. I’m glad they agreed with us and allowed me to just listen to the final competitors for who they were.
Left to right
Aneleda, Leyli, Estgar, Ian, Eithne, Myself and Taliesan
We had recommended that their majesties and highness choose a challenge based off the competitors resume so if there is something they wanted to see each of them do that they hadn’t seen yet, they had that option.
Estgar was given the task of boasting the outgoing champs. See the video below:
Before the last court I finally got to sing with my people. We had an impromptu rounds sing along. People swarmed in like a flurry of … flurried things to sing. We sang old rounds and new ones.
Court began, I held the sword of state one last time (I had the privilege, 3 times during this reign, to do so) At the end of the day, Estgar was named Consorts champion and Taliesan was named Sovereign’s champion.
At that point I thought the day was over. I got to rejoin my husband, sitting in court, my friends who were not on the Dias and friends I had not met yet. I was sad I didn’t get to see the new scrolls given out in court. I was always so overjoyed when I got to see the scrolls as they were being read. I got to hear the speech between the recipient and the royal and now I would be sitting back with everyone else. It was really nice feeling special and seen for the last 9 months. I still got to pop up to greet those in the orders I was a part of, but somehow, it wouldn’t be the same.
Court was soon coming to a close and then something strange happened. My name was called. Maybe an additional thank you for running the event? Who knew?
Her Majesty, Corotica, who I had known since about her time moving to the East started speaking about my term as her champion and still, nothing sank in. You can see how still I am sitting in the video below as I am trying to listen to every word she is saying. Heck, maybe she is giving me a cypher. Usually those happen at decoronation but you never know.
This is the aftermath:
Calligraphy by Mistress Collette D’Avignon, Illumination by Mistress Camille des Jardin Words by THL Agnes Marie de CalaisMedallion by Baron Muin maqq MinainBrooch by Master Roibeard Mac NeilMy one eyed emotional supper jerk and I love himmmmmmm
This has been a long journey for me. One I never thought I saw despite how much love and passion I put into my music. I love my art. It is literally what has kept me alive for all these years. It gives me the adrenalin. Brain weasels are a thing as well. Do I belong in this group? Some day it will settle in.
All I really remember from that moment was Audrey reminding me not to cry on the scroll. I was greeted with a flurry of hugs. It was incredible to say the least.
My friends came all the way from New Hampshire to be there. To support me. Baron Keziah, Ástrídr Sægeirsdottir, Alric the Younger, Wolfgang (husband), Agnes (from MA), Damhan (from MA) Audrey (from MA), Cecelia (from MA), My student, Eithne to compete (Also from MA), my apprentice cousin Adelisa and my Pelican, Rowen. All to support me. My poor Laurel, Sabine would have been there as well, but this stupid plague got her.
Dinner and camaraderie afterwards and then the voyage home. I have the best people in my life. (Also, look how cute my emotional support husband is!)
I’m sure there is a lot more to process and a lot I missed, but this is what a couple days and coffee have gifted me for brain.
You never know where a spark of inspiration will come from. A funny story about the humble beginnings of this song. When Wilhelm and Vienna were on the throne, I had been thumbing through some awards, writing some folks in. I had seen this one award, called the “Gold Lyre” and from that moment I decided I wanted it more than anything. I had this grand plan to compose a song about inspiration and then corner Vienna and sing it for her. This would hopefully spark her to grant me the golden lyre award. Fast forward, I chickened out. However, I still had the humble beginnings of the song.
Fast forward a few years later, I had completely forgotten about this song and it was sitting in the depths of my google drive, never to see the light of day. A friend of mine, Roiberd Mac Neil had just received his writ to join the Order of the Laurel. As part of his “In Case Of Peerage” was to have me make music. He requested that I write a song for the Laurels. He spoke about the knights having “Weight of the Chain” by Aneleda Falconbridge but he wanted something for the artists. Who was I to compose for the peers? I myself simply have AOA level awards. Aneleda is an incredible composer of whom I respect her work immensely. I couldn’t see my work standing up to hers. I, however, would do anything for Roiberd, so I agreed.
I knew what I wanted the subject matter to be, but the words just wouldn’t come out. I sat on this for months before creativity struck. I was digging through my google drive and stumbled upon the above musings. I started to write and rewrite. This went through atleast 9 revisions before I was somewhat happy. Then, the music…. the music just wasn’t flourishing as it should. I spent the next few weeks listening to some of my favorite symphonic metal, folk metal and general Euro metals bands until the melody hit me.
As the melody sank into my soul, it was time to rewrite the words yet again. Below, is the final text:
The Spark– By Solveig Bjarnardottir (MKA Ren Haywood)
All our senses spark the drive Of A kinship for all to see A new life blooms, breeds skill to thrive Which ignite the flames with ease
Passing knowledge, hope all will hear We press forward, now back to see The growing paths becoming clearer All our dreams run wild and free
Each has a muse, a burning fire Our labors ne’er seems to cease A moment more drives our desire The spark that lights the East
We made a path, dragged more along Surpassing all our wildest dreams The journey’s harsh, but you’ll grow strong Your treasured art shines as it gleams
Spent countless hours, late at night Just to watch each pass our skill Climbing mountains, reach new heights A sense of pride, is deep instilled
Each has a muse, a burning fire Our labors ne’er seems to cease A moment more drives our desire The spark that lights the East
Each has a muse, a burning fire Our labors ne’er seems to cease A moment more drives our desire The spark that lights the East The spark that lights the East The spark that lights the East
Another bardic another safe place. Not much to report on this one besides we had 5 completely new folks to Bardic/The SCA. People who I have never seen before got up and performed. I did learn that although my circle is a safe place, I do need to mention that politics have no place in my circles even though they are mutually followed and agreed upon.
Also, I think I may need to find a safe and kind way to tell folks that their piece may not be appropriate in general, even with trigger warnings etc….
This year Palio was very small compared to previous years. However, considering it was up against fencing champs and another full war event, we still had a decent sized crowd. It was bitterly cold and rainy at night, but that didn’t take away from the run.
I ran the fencing tournament that day, but I was also in charge of the Golden Tongue Bardic competition. This is very near and dear to my heart because it gives folks who were newer performers a chance to shine. The rules are that you can never have won a bardic competition. We had 4 folks competing this year ranging from age 10 to a bit older (We never speak of a ladies age!) These folks do not proclaim themselves Bards. They have had rough experiences and similar to me, had sworn they would never perform again.
They said that -I- inspired them to give it a chance again. I was speechless. I just want folks to have a safe performance space.
When all was done, I chose, not the best or worst performer, I chose someone who moved me. I gifted them the prize and asked them to make me a promise that they would work on their story and tell it to me again sometime within the year.
You would think after the 3 prior years of running this event, it would be easy as cake. The problem was that the 3 previous years had all been different. Covid-19 is still raging on and that lends itself to many other challenges.
In the first year of the challenge assembly’s inception, it had a large location in an area that was well accessible by many of the performers in the region. Bringing it up north had it’s own challenges. EKCOP has no money of it’s own, so we would need to find a sponsoring location. Luckily, Stonemarche had some extra money in the coffers and could offer us a sum to run this event. Finding sponsors for the challenges was another item as folks were unsure how their challenges were going to be taken and how they would view them.
This year, I was able to have 18 sponsors of 20 unique challenges. Next, getting folks to travel to New Hampshire and be willing to perform. We still had the requirements of masking indoors and performing outside would pose a challenge as there was a baseball game booked on the same grounds we were using. Can’t really complain considering the site was only charging us 75 dollars for the day. In addition we had to figure out how much food to feed people for day board and how we could encourage folks to teach.
The performance community in Stonemarche is decently sized, however, covid was making this all difficult. All in all, we had 43 attendees and actually made a profit of a little more than a hundred dollars for the day and this with charging folks the least amount we possibly could. We also had 12 amazing classes ranging from singing, story telling, history of stories and insturmental. The videos will be up soon… I hope.
Digital performance is still new grounds for me. I don’t have much space in my living zone right now. Covid has made it worse and using a web cam with a nice microphone is weird. Ideally, I’d have a backdrop or be outside. This is a performance where I am comfy sitting in a chair in my garb. There are ways that I am able to provide good timber, but the lack of a live audience really changes the mood. I don’t have too many thoughts on this at the moment, but i wanted to share that digital art can still exist.
Meddlings of the Minnesinger 