Tag: fencing

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GNEW and Pennsic- The Great Morley Boogaloo

It’s been since 2009 since I have headlined a concert or really felt like myself as a performer. Over the years, I have been backing myself down to do more ensemble playing. I continued to do solo performances but nothing really too large. I did also step down for the second time as Consorts Bard this past year and that opportunity gave me multiple solo experiences and opportunities. However, at the suggestion of Richard Heyworth, it was time to get my big girl britches back on and really get up and do what makes me happy and feeling competent as a performer.

With some rabbit holes dove into, we found this book of Canzonettes ( a short, lively, and cheerful song. The word comes from Italian as a “little song,” derived from canzone) for 2 voices. This was composed by Thomas Morley. Where this was not quite solo work, it still gave me the opportunity to perform each piece and also play with friends. I decided I was going to learn the -entire- book. This was 12 pieces of vocal music which ran about 30 minutes solid of music with no breaks taken. That… is a lot. I, again, have not done that much solid singing since 2009 when I gave my senior recital at school for my undergraduate degree. The largest challenge I was facing was not the difficulty of the music, but the physical changes to my instrument that started in 2022. Let me talk a little more about this.

The human voice is not a solitary instrument. It is effected by it’s housing. Weight loss can change the shape and amount of soft tissue surrounding the throat, mouth, and vocal tract. This can alter how sound resonates. Your voice isn’t produced only by the vocal cords. It is produced by the throat, mouth, tongue, and nasal passages act as a resonating chamber. Changes in surrounding tissue can subtly change the sound. Significant changes in body composition can potentially affect the tissues supporting the vocal folds, which may influence pitch or vocal quality. Weight loss can affect breathing mechanics and respiratory support, which can make the voice sound different or change how easily you project. If the weight loss is substantial or occurs rapidly, changes in nutrition or hormones can sometimes affect the vocal folds and muscle strength.

This then becomes a very sensitive subject for me because my voice has been a lot of my identity. Neither here nor there, I moved forward with this project. I reached out to a few friends of mine to see if they would be interested in singing/playing some of these pieces and was greeted with excited responses of yes.

As I pursued this project, I also decided to see if there was something more to the canzonettes. Sure as the sun shines there was some good gossip behind the canzonettes. If you, gentle reader, are interested, click this link below:

Mor(ley) or Less a Canzonette

Preparing for the concert was a bit more of a trial. I could control my own singing but how was I to know if my volunteers would be ready and in action. One performer was in North Eastern MA, one in South Western NH, another in Western MA and one in Michigan.

What I had planned was not what in the end happened. We got to GNEW and one of my performers, the night before the concert, advised they could no longer be there. So, that left me with a 9am emergency rehearsal with one vocalist and one instrumentalist. The other vocalist was only slotted for Pennsic. No one seemed to notice that this was a change and I am quite thankful for that. This was a dry run for Pennsic.

Now, we get to Pennsic. Friday afternoon, the sun. HOT. We managed to get set up and I think I am smart enough to not schedule any rehearsal time. Friday was just about getting into headspace for a weekend of Arts and Sciences into the concert. However, this is not before serving as our rapier champion.

I think it’s really important to be versed in something else outside of your art so that you have something for your head to retreat to when the brain weasels are bad. For me, this is fencing. This was the start to my Saturday. Above is an image of our amazing Excellencies and my most excellent partner in crime, Corso, Baroness’ champion of fence after both of us won our exhibition bout. Neither of us won the tournament, but I had received feedback from many of the landed that I was a fun looking fight, chivalrous and though appearing somewhat demure they could see the mischief in me.

From there went back to rehearsals. I met with my vocalist from Western MA, Cecelie. An hour put in plus the occasional chatting and I was feeling better about our performance.

Opening Ceremonies are always so fun and full of pomp.

That evening I made my pilgrimage to the B blocks to perform at Caoilfhionn’s Bardic Circle. I had been performing at this the last several years. I never will miss this Bardic. Her grace has made this a safe and welcoming performance space. I feel safe bringing everything from period pieces to trad to things I have composed myself. Each time, something new. My little cheater night to really sing and make sure I am keeping my instrument healthy and safe. It’s rough with all the talking and dust that happens at Pennsic.

Sunday was now once again shifted for focus. I decided to display my concert

(Videos of Morley Concert from GNEW)

from GNEW and the paper I wrote (posted above). I typically don’t display my work. I have been very disheartened by people who simply don’t stop by because I don’t have something pretty to touch or taste. I decided this was going to be different. I sat with my display mostly from 12-5, however during that time I was also able to provide a consultation to a newer scadian. Their work was also music related and I lit up when I was able to see what they were working on. I am ashamed to say I didn’t get their contact info outside of their email that they already provided but they are working on some -great- stuff. Their work was reassembling and piecing together the Casulana Madrigals. Where, if you look at my paper above, you will get an idea of why this was an area of interest based on my works of Cazonettes.

The day rolled around and it was time to prepare with my other vocalist. Well, life happens. They had lost their voice so it was time to reconfigure the concert. Thank goodness that Richard, my recorder player, who also played with me at the GNEW concert not only was on site at Pennsic, but he was camping within my camp group. Coach is putting you back in buddy to pinch hit! (Is that how that sports terminology works?)

Later, with little time to rehearse, we did sort of a cheater rehearsal. That night I was slated to play for Runnymede dinner. What better way to practice than on an instrument you are not using for the concert. Whatever. It was an excuse to play. That night Richard, Cecelie and I played through the Morley concert on recorder just to keep the music in our bones. It also made for lovely background music as well outside of the other books we typically play out of. The day was long and I needed preserve my voice since I had another busy day with the concert being the next day, Monday.

Monday…. the big day arrived. What a better way to start the morning than serve as a scorer for the A and S War Point. I was honored to have been asked to do so. I was able to review two very different but exciting performance pieces of which I learned a lot from. One, a Sackbut/Slide Trumpet presentation and the other a vocal piece from the Minnesingers. I gifted each with a small trinket dish because competing and the amount of work that goes into a performance piece is close to my heart and I wanted to celebrate each of the folks I scored.

Then, that night… 6:00 pm rolled around and it was time. This concert felt easier than the concert at GNEW. This is why we have rehearsals right……RIGHT?!?!?!

I have most of the concert here, but part of it was lost due to technical errors with recording… which is ok. We have -all- the pieces from GNEW.

Outside of court on Tuesday, where I had made 3 medallions for folks who are close to me, Wednesday was my last day of productivity for me and my music soul.

Wednesday was my Laurel, Sabine’s Birthday. We had talking about just getting together and playing and it just so happened that Wednesday worked out for me. I also invited Richard along because he could also use an outlet away from his 4 year old for a few hours. We ended up playing for about 2 hours and it was just so good!

From there, I headed to my dear friend Emeline’s vigil where I sang for her and played recorder as background music. It filled my cup to be able to give the gift that she requested.

Later that evening, Sabine was hosting a more official jam session but I think the rain scared everyone away. Bird the Bard, who is also Sabine’s student, showed up and we got to rock out on gemshorns! This was only like my second time seriously getting to pick one up and play and it was such a joy. It is close to recorder on the fingerings that I was able to hold my own and jam out to cantigas. Another several hours of playing. My soul was just so full.

Thursday was my last day of fencing. I decided ahead of time that I was going to be fencing in the Cadet tournament. Where I am not officially a cadet, I still met the parameters of the tournament. I just needed someone to sponsor me. Cedric had offered to do so on one condition. I was to write the letter myself and it had to be an “interesting” letter, so I had a task set before me. Here is what I concocted Cadet Sponsor Letter.

I didn’t know there was anything special about the letters until I was pulled aside and told that my letter won the favorite letter of two gentles running the tournament. This meant I got to pick my first fight….. of 94 fencers. I went with whoever seemed eager because honestly, I knew maybe 10 of the 94 and my goal was to fight as many new folks as possible. I didn’t win the tournament, but winning the “Bardic” portion of the fencing tournament, I will take as a win. I left shortly after I lost my last life because the humidity was taking it’s toll on me but I’m still proud with how I did.

I will upload my pennsic concert when I get around to it, which should be shortly, but I wanted to get this up now before I lose my thoughts.

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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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Fort Knox Demo

Stabby stab stab STAB! STAB STAB!

Is it dead yet? It’s just a flesh wound? Damn it!

What a better playground than a beautiful old military fort on the bank of a majestic river. Armed and dangerous, this Viking went forth with rapier, dagger, buckler, and wit to win the day, or die trying! (Damn it Karen, you can’t win a demo!)

Who says that martial activities aren’t a performance? It was my time to shine. Dona Camille and I were paired for a duel. To the pain! I mean, to the death. My death, usually. We, as glorious Scadians, made schtick happen. I love schtick! I think it’s a prerequisite to getting a blue card, perhaps. If it’s not, it should be. But it started with insulting her companion, and then my partner called for a second for this duel. Two against one! Not fair! Nothing had been rehearsed, and everything was off the cuff. Insults were exchanged, but I think my favorite line of the day was, “My face! You stabbed my favorite face!” uttered by the Dona as she (finally) met her demise. We even had a duel which turned into a melee, because reasons.

When we were done playing, I slipped into something a bit more comfortable — because everyone knows, if you’re comfortable in your armor, you’re either not wearing it right, or you’re missing something — my not-fencing viking gear, that had a lot more bling.

One of the other amazing things about the fort is the acoustics — terrible for sleeping, but great for singing! And it was time to do what I do best: sing! I found a few familiar faces, my old teacher, Mistress Aneleda, and Gregor {aka Gertrude to us Blade Society folk (Bad Karen!)} We locked eyes, and decided it was time to make the pretty music happen. It started with just the three of us, and then our numbers grew. First Scadians, and then even the mundanes joined in; it was so fun to see the joy in their eyes to see the music they knew being echoed.

Image may contain: 5 people, people sitting and indoor

One of them was a choir director from the Bangor area. At one point, he even led us in making new harmonies and barber-shop motifs. We probably sang for a good hour before the bodies dispersed completely.

Another fine day at the fort!