Tag: family

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New Beginnings

If anyone knows me, they know that music is the number one priority in my life. Whether I am singing or playing instruments or encouraging others to perform. I know the power that music can hold and I want nothing more than to make sure that others have this saving grace in their lives as well.

A few years ago I was very involved in a choral group called “Voce di Sonata”. These were all volunteer vocalists from Malagentia. We would run through pieces and work on them. Eventually we would get to have other performance experiences as well. However, after running it for 2.5 years, it was time for my life to explode and I simply couldn’t organize it again at that stage of my life. Life happens.

Even without formally running it, I would have folks approach me and ask for group singing and soloists to perform at their events (and weddings). I would gather ad hoc groups as needed as well as find appropriate soloists. In addition, those vocalists in the group would come and say, “Solveig, we would really love to sing with you”. My heart couldn’t say no, but I just didn’t know when.

In addition, I was also involved in the Malagentian Players. From a solo member as well as a member of their troupe. However, through discord and life, it too mostly went the way of Ol’ Yeller.

This broke my heart.

A few months ago I moved to the Riding of Giggleswick. It is a small riding but with some fiery and passionate hearts. I have a stable place to live and partner. I love my new job. Emotionally, I am in a good place. It was time.

Last night was the first meeting of the Giggleswick performing arts group.  I had 6 people show up! That’s huge for our little riding. There is promise for more to show as well. We had very new performers telling their first story in public, more seasoned performers working on newer pieces. We had rounds. ROUNDS GALORE. Folks who claim they don’t sing, sang with us! It was beautiful and harmonious. We even had a few repetitions of singing through “O Magnum Mysterium” which is no small feat. It was beautiful. The feedback was positive and I am ready to do this again in 2 weeks.

The plan is to have folks perform their pieces. Should they want feedback, they will ask. If not, no feedback is to be given. I am hellbound on making sure this is a safe space for all to perform. There will be workshops and classes to come as well.

For now, a new beginning, like a fresh layer of snow.

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Birka # 10

This is my first of double digit events for me. This is starting my 9th year in the society and I am still so very fond of my first event. This was also my partner’s first Birka. I chose not to fence this year as I wanted to focus on him and make sure he got to do everything he wanted at his first Birka.

Our main concerns today were making several deliveries as well as seeing friends of ours receive awards. Also… Fashion show.

Aegir had provided 3 tree of life necklaces to the auction for the incoming reign. I made the matching earrings for them as he wasn’t comfortable to making them. I happily obliged. After finding his 3 delivery recipients and receiving his auction purchase, I had to make my deliveries and receipt. I had donated a 30 minute private performance for the auction, however, this delivery was of another nature.

Last year, I was inducted into the prestigious order of the Silver Brooch. This is the award of arms level of Arts and Sciences awards in the East Kingdom. We decided to do an artisans gift exchange. My recipient wasn’t there, but I delivered hand made trim to her. I finally met up with my gift creator and I was in TEARS with the gift she presented me.

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Music is the only thing that truly keeps me alive. Someone made music for -Me-. After I cried over this masterpiece, I spoke with the artist, Shoshanna Gryffyth, and asked her if we could collaborate. She happily agreed. Not only did this project yield new beautiful art that may not have been created (It inspired art) but it helped me connect with someone I would never had met before.

Next was shopping! I didn’t purchase too much, but I am excited for the newest member of the family.

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Next, the fashion show! This year, at the coronation of Willhelm and Vienna, there was a challenge issued that we would incorporate Marvel and DC heroes and villains. I’m not much of a seamstress, but I wanted to improve my skills. I am a huge fan of Wonder Woman and German garb, so why not.

I just learned how to embroider. This is my 3rd project for embroidery.  Here are a few pictures of the in progress of the embroidery and then the final project.

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This is Aegir and I in our pieces:

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After the fashion show was over, Baronial court was happening. This was the last court of her Excellency Jocelyn Del Espada. I went to support her and my friends who were to be the incoming Baron and Baroness. After the court was over, I went to thank her for all she had done for me personally. What I didn’t expect was the flood of tears that came from me. She touched me a way that few have ever. She was/is a huge advocate of music. She inspired me to compete. She inspired me to be -HER- Bard/champion. Despite everything she experienced in the past 5 years, between the SCA and Mundane, SHE was my Baronessa.

Kingdom court came and it was time to see my friends receive much appreciated awards. This is always an exciting time for me. However, just before court, my friend, Master Lucien approached me. He was supposed to Herald the Boast for now, Master Scamus. However, he had fallen ill and requested that I do this. I was excited and honored to be able to herald in my friend, fencing teacher and mentor. I had only done this once before, but never for a crowd this large. Luckily, Lucien had written up the boast, so all I had to do was be loud.

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My friends Kenneric and Cat received their silver wheels, which I had crafted for the (see previous blog post) and our company escorted them into court. Additionally during court I retained for the princess.

After court was over, my favorite part of Birka was about to begin. I was once again honored to run bardic at Birka for the 4th year in a row. We had about 25-30 folks show. We had everyone from ages 13-??? (old). We heard song, story, poem. We had folks who this was their first event, 90th event and those in between. Everyone performed well. I learned a new story which I can’t wait to try out at winter nights (If Aegir doesn’t steal it from me first). Also, at the end of the night, a new and exciting voice arose. I quickly ran to him to present him with my token and encouraged him to get involved. I filled him in on allll the bardic stuff going on and gave him my information as the EKCoP Deputy Chatelaine.

All in all, this was an amazing Birka. So many emotions.. not a single one bad.

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The Coronation of Willhelm and Vienna

Mad skills to pay the bills. Or something like that.

I don’t typically go to coronations because I don’t know any of the Kings or Queens. It’s hard to go to a day of pomp and circumstance if you feel like a stranger. Honestly, if I know folks getting awards, I am all for it and I will attend with a smile on my face.

This coronation was different. I went this time first and foremost because I actually had some semblance of who the incoming royalty because I had met them at crown service as Sir Marcus’ consort. He had nothing but wonderful things to say about this couple, so I figured it would be worthwhile to attend. Plus, I was most of they way to site the day before due to Mundane engagements.

About 4 weeks prior to the event, I received a message from Sarah Byrd, of whom I had worked with previously on an adhoc choir for the Feast of St. Nicholas. She had asked me if I’d be willing to sing in the choir since it was the Queen’s whim to have music her reign. I of course agreed.

3 weeks before the event she asked me if I would sing some solos during the performer’s showcase. I had a few pieces which were her majesties persona and period so I agreed (Twist my arm… make me sing more)

2 weeks before the event she reached out to me and asked if I would be willing to sing Alto. I’m not an alto, but if anyone knows medieval music, it really didn’t matter.

1 week before the event ” Oh hey Solveig, would you mind conducting the choir?”. Sure, I’ll do a thing.

The day of, I had 45 minutes to wrangle a choir and instrumentalists to make a thing happen. Sure, no problem.

 

 

 

After all was said and done, Her Majesty, Vienna did the one thing I never thought I’d see in my days in the society. She thanked all the musicians, continued to invite them and then made all performers that day a member of the Order of the Troubadour. ( I got inducted two more times, hehe. My name was called 2 more times that day since I had already been inducted a couple years ago.

This is probably once of the most memorable days in my SCA performance career and not because I was recognized, but because of the hard working musician’s around me were.

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Harper’s Retreat 2018!

Time after time this proves to be my favorite event. This year was no different. I brought my S.O. Aegir with me. He got to experience his first “small” event since his first event was the Great North Eastern War. Little bit of a size difference. Fencing was first on the docket for the day. Stab stab all my friends. Nothing gets me in the mood to sing besides dancing (aka, fencing) with my friends. I didn’t come close to winning but boy did I have fun!

Later in the day I taught a class on stage presence and how to make your piece more interesting to the audience. I had 2 students show up and I was perfectly ok with this. They were two very different performers, but were able to utilize the same skills. The first young woman was a puppeteer and storyteller. She exclaimed her issues were volume and some stage fright. I proposed we use a counting up excersize where we would identify different volumes and then use different shapes of our mouth and words to bring her resonance forward. We also fixed different focal points by adjusting where here body and puppet were facing and worked on a few topics of tempo.

My second student had never been on stage before and had never performed in front of anyone before. We worked through a song he had prepared. We again talked about volume. In addition, we added movement to his body, keeping his eyes open and stage movement in general.

When the class was over, both advised they felt more confident in their skills and would add these into practice. The young woman put it into practice for the Warrior Bard competition that evening.

Feast was next! Probably one of the best feasts to date. The current Baronial Bard and Nexcellency, Keziah Planchette had requested some of the prior and present bards to come perform during the feast. Here is a clip of my performance. I think the liquid courage also made an appearance.

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That evening it was time to compete for Warrior and Baronial Bard. The guidelines for Baronial Bard were Courtly love and Virtues. In addition, due to the recent loss of our Baron (who passed away about a month prior) it was requested that we not sing anything sad.

For Warrior Bard I whipped out a quick one of my favorites, Laciate Morire (which, is not exactly not a sad song… but it was in Italian so I fudged the poetric translation).

For Baronial Bard I sang a Ladino piece, La Prima Vez and We are the East (By Drake Oranwood). I may not have won Baronial Bard, but I did truly win because there were very few dry eyes at the end of We are the East. #lifetimegoalsachieved.

The next day in court, I assisted with Heralding because hey, i’m loud! I can haz shouty voice! However, not too long after I had sat down, I heard my name requested in court. I was asked to join the order of the Lamp of Apollo. This is a Baronial Arts and Science award especially for encouraging others to do their art as well. The scroll was done by Keziah Planchett and the words lovingly composed by Amalie von Hohensee and Gerhardt von Hohensee. I was in tears as there was no better gift. (If you remember back to Birka, I had done the words for their scrolls)

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EK- 50!

Where to begin with such a gigantic milestone for the East Kingdom. My home. This is the place where it felt safe to sing in public again. What else could I do for the Kingdom I love besides give it back the gift it gave to me?

I decided I would give everything I had to singing this weekend. It was too hot to do anything else. I think the heat this year was as bad as Pennsic 2 years ago where the heat won more bouts than the fighters. I’m glad no one was too seriously injured from heat.

With that being said, although I had transitioned to late period garb, the heat beat me in that battle for the weekend. Saari not Saari. Thats right, I ran around … well, walked around as a proper Indian woman should. It was a new feeling for me as I, in general, don’t show off this much skin. I’m a pretty modest dresser.

I bring this up  because it has a lot to do with how I perform. Confidence is key in your performance. If you are not confident, your performance will suffer. Another point being is that when you practice to perform, you should, for all intents and purposes, rehearse in garb and shoes similar to what you will wear in performance. This was not the case for my 3 concerts I did over the weekend.

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I was, however, blessed to be surrounded by performers and family of whom I respect immensely as performers.

In the first concert,Bards Ease, I collaborated with my good friends Bird the Bard and Sáerlaith íngean úi Duinnshléibhe (with Guest performances by Mistress Sabine and Mistress Margreatta) We would sing solo, group performances and some off mix of whatever we felt like was a good for the audience. Typically, I’d plan a concert one one genre. However, the 3 of us are so eclectic of performers, I really wanted to showcase that.

The next day we did a showcase of the Sing for the the East CD (which if you purchase this CD to support the East Kingdom Travel Fund, you can hear the track of Ceder San Barefoot and I performing that track. The rest of the concert was the original vocalists performing and the rest of us harmonizing.

The final concert was a sneak preview for the upcoming performance in April, The Decameron. We will be performing a a day of stories and music all from the 14th Century Italian literature. This happy little quartet was again, Myself, Bird, Sáerlaith and Margreatta.

If this wasn’t enough singing, we had our own camp of Bards who withered the night away with song till the wee hours of the morning.

I’d call this a success.

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Pennsic! There is no place like home

PennsicThis was my first year at Pennsic. I’m not going to lie. It’s all pretty much a blur right now so I will keep this short and sweet. I sang every night till the wee hours of the morning.  I went to a Bardic Circle every night and sometimes multiple in a night.

The only super notable things I did were sing at the VDK Invitational Bardic. I learned a new piece of music (to be) composed by the Queens Bard Geoffrey – MKA-David Yardley (AKA captain Speccy Pants) and then I sang in Drake’s Concert, who opened for Heather Dale. That was pretty cool!

 

One more thing of note. I did record for the Known World Bardcast. I put up an original composition (Lullaby for the Queen). Anyone who knows me, knows how anxious I am putting my work out into the public.

 

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Birka 2018 – The First Voyage

My second largest pilgrimage of the year is to Birkacon, where vikings and Elizabethans alike update their bling. This year, I had virgin blood in hand, something all good vikings treasure. Except wait, no longer viking… As a proper late-period lady, I am introducing a good friend to upstanding society. In fact, my best friend.

With wide eyes full of wonder, and my vehicle exceptionally light for going to an event, we arrived at what would be the last time Birka was at the “Raddisson” (because the hotel is changing names, of course). A bag of fencing gear in one arm, the other armed with a small suitcase, and my best friend with his little back pack — clearly this was his first event — I led him like a sheep to slau- I mean, through the fields. This was a sight, of course, because my friend is an ex-military man, six feet tall, covered in tattoos, well built, and topped with a brown mohawk. He was quite a tall dwarf, he’d proudly proclaim.

We dropped our stuff and trolled in Friday evening, and as per usual, we could not walk more than five feet without being stopped with hugs and salutations. Steve quickly became an introvert. I proudly paraded him, proclaiming that this was his first event, and he was my best friend, so he better be taken care of.

This statement went to to the lowliest beggar to the highest of points and pearls, After unloading our items and having a quick meal, we would make him not-naked for the first time. I hurried him into garb, which I had been wearing for eight years now, and said, “Let’s party!”

That night he got his first taste of Birka, the friendly hospitality, and the beverages. Saturday morning came early, and it was time to show him the real event. I took him up to the fighters, and let him watch them wail on one another. Just over the railing, I myself suited up in my fencing gear and showed him how to feel people up — I mean inspect their kits; I am a proper marshal after all.

After a list-field-side court took place, it was time for me to have a taste of blood from my enemies. Typically I would choose to fence in the tournament, this was not for glory but for the learning experiences. However, I did not want to leave Steve up to his own devices for so long — we all know what type of trouble someone can get into on their own at Birka — so I had sectioned off one hour for pick up bouts.

I danced with friends and strangers alike, who then became new friends. The dance with a sword is a magic friendship builder. And when the hour was up, the sweat from my brow was quickly wiped on the body of my best friend, because I am a jerk.

We both decided to go change, and then hit up the shopping — the best part of Birka. I was going in disguise — I mean, my new later period me. I was decked in a Greenland gown, and my hair was wrapped in a veil. Bling was nominal, but definitely there. The elevators were surprisingly fast today, so with haste we made our way back into the great hall of Birkacon! Steve’s eyes exploded with wonder at how many sharp objects there were — and he could afford them!

His first purchase, of course, was on two wee-sized pocket knives. We continued to build his kit and expand mine, until it was time for Stonemarche’s Baronial Court. At Stonemarche’s court, I had been commissioned to compose words for two award scrolls. Where the words had been posted previously in my blog, I would like to note that I had asked special permission to herald these into court.

So many deserving people got awards this day, both in Baronial and Royal court. But when court was over, my true joy was to begin. It was time for Bardic Circle!

I had set up a circle of about 30 chairs, this was clearly not enough. Bodies began to pour in and fill the seats. And when we had enough people, I felt that we could begin. There were both locals and those from out of kingdom. There were some as young as ten years old, and some as old as in their sixties. We had stories, songs, poetry, Shakespeare, and instrumentals. We had skill from novice to master. And this was the magic of the Bardic Circle.

No one said, “I can’t follow that,” after all, that was my first rule. Everyone was supportive. In the middle of the circle, we had a brief interlude. Mistress Aneleda Falconbridge, who was co-running the circle with me, had announced that she would be taking her first apprentice. The bardic path is not an easy one, and to see the family and support grow is it’s own form of magic. Aneleda’s household took her new apprentice into their ranks so he would have a family in both the US and Canada. I swear I’m not choked up, these aren’t tears, I’m writing in the kitchen, someone’s cutting onions. Stop that, Karen, damn you.

My cup was filled with not only the alcohol that my best friend had been supplying me in my tankard of unusual size — TOUS — but my cup was filled with joy that is this community. We grow together, and we grow stronger and larger each day.

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Gerhard’s Scroll

This was a scroll commissioned of me for Gerhard’s von Hoehensee, Order of the Furisant

Amongst the chilled coals, arises an ember
stoking the surrounding kindling
The fire dances and begins to parry the cold
The fire does not dance alone
The fire teaches the flames to dance, to waltz
Sharpening their wit as is the blade of the rapier
Betwixed fine reignments, inspiring those who come after
The fire passes hand in hand and the fire grows stronger
Finely dressed within the ash and glows
What started the fire? We did not start the fire.
Gerhardt, the fursiant, bestowed his craft, his skill to enlighten us all
By his skill from the hands, his perseverance
Deemed it so by Baron Dorio of the Oaks
Deemed it so by Baronessa Jocelyn Del Espada

On this day, January 27, A.S. 52 at A Market day at Birka

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Ah Weh, Away! (Birthday Bash)

It was time for something completely different. Well, not completely different, but new to me.  I was going to challenge myself to do a new craft that pertained to Bardic, but still new and would help me expand.

I have many friends up in the Mountain Freehold and tend to make my way up there for their events. However, not many folks up there know me and who I am. I was told that their Bardic community could use some growth so what better way to show who I am but to enter their A and S competition.

The rules were that it had to be inclusive/about the shire.

I chose to compose a piece a bout the shire. I wanted to bring it to the next level. Not only did I compose a piece about the shire, I composed accompaniment and I created a scroll and did the illumination for it. The scroll was done in Skaldic poetic style. The Mountain Freehold is a group that is heavily populated by vikings. The melody was mirrored after Scandinavian motifs and the Cello accompaniment was based off the sounds of the Nickleharpa, a widely used Scandinavian instrument.

 

Here is the final Product:

 

And here is the Scroll:

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I am pleased to announce that I won best overall for the A and S competition.

 

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12th Night 2018

We brought it home. Back to Maine that is. There is a long history of 12th night in the southern region of the EK. I’m so glad we did because I don’t think I would have been able to go had it been anywhere else. I knew there was something going on when my Knight and my former teacher had reached out to me a few hours apart and asked me if I was attending. To me, at the time, it felt like this would be a good way to have another opportunity to perform so I thought nothing of it.

When the performance sign up sheet went up, I made sure to put my name up. It was a good opportunity to perhaps perform for the royals, but to continue the new pieces of repertoire I had added to my Bard book.

It was weird not truly working at an event. I didn’t have much of an agenda sans shmoozing and celebrating my friends. I had been feeling ill most of the day and off. A few nights of not sleeping, real life work stress can do that to you. The performance must go on. I brought my handy dandy “NOTEBOOK” (In the voice of Steve from Blues clues) and took a corner.  After I had picked the order of my set and let the music flow, all I could think of was how live this church was. It was beautiful physically, but the way the sound echoed and reverberated lit my soul a glow. The pain and discomfort which filled my body, radiated away.

This is why I sing. Music heals the body and soul.

30 minutes of solid music flew by. More shmoozing. Time for court! I had friends which I had been keeping their awards secret from for months. I waited anxiously to see each of their faces as they were called up. Then, without truly knowing what to expect, my name was called.

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Here. Here I was surrounded by a family of those who’s art was on fire with their souls. A community of which I could now call myself a member of .  Brothers are sisters. The icing on the cake was that my scroll, stunning as always, was done by people who I look up to and call friends. Who offer advice Freely so that I may better my art.

26169153_10101324775117069_3828309388891427686_n.jpgThe scroll illumination and Calligraphy done by Mistress Mickel, the guilding by Master Max and the words done by Lord Nichol.

A small aside. The other items pictured were also a very moving part of my day. The red favor was from the Queen, the black was a site token, the sword representing a friend who was recently, too soon and far too young. The bracelet from Mistress Aneleda who to this day supports and believes me in even when I lose all hope in myself. I am grateful for all.