Maine – Page 2 – Meddlings of the Minnesinger

May 23, 2017September 22, 2017

Giggleswick Garden of Arts and Sciences

It’s a maze this garden, it’s a maze of ways…

I may have a minor addiction to going to classes. I swore, when I was done with college I would never set foot in a classroom again. This, coming from the education major. That didn’t last very long. The one things that beats my desire to learn is my desire to teach. An opportunity arose at the Giggleswick Garden of Arts and Sciences that there were no bardic classes, only one on instruments themselves. How could this be? Why would anyone ever let this happen? (It just so happened that after I submitted my classes, so did Lord Nicol) I couldn’t let this happen! When I found out this news, I made sure I would teach a new class and one I had taught before. Since this was a relatively small venue, it would be a safe avenue for testing out my new bardic class.

I arrived early on site as that’s the only way I know how to be. This is humorous as not only am I in the SCA, but my family is Jewish. Being on time is not really a thing. Being early? UNHEARD OF! I guess the musician in me lives by our golden rule: “To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late. To be late, fired!” I threw on my garb hastily and then greeted a friend who was attending his first SCA event.

The first class was one on medieval musical notation and church modes. This was one I have taught a few years prior. I was really impressed with the level of questions I received after the class ranging from why we didn’t have musical documentation, the evolution of documentation and why most of our earlier documented music was sacred versus secular. Where, these were not necessarily on topic, I was overjoyed to answer these questions and cultivate eager minds.

It was then time for food and the day board was terrific. Thank you Giggleswick for your delicious noms. I don’t think I remembered to pack feast gear or prepare food. I was so excited to teach, I had forgotten about my need to eat. You also had this for me too. Yay!

The final class I was stated to teach was a beginning class on ear training. Ear training is a methodology of creating a better sense of identifying the center of the pitch to be able to sing/play in tune, recognize intervals and be able to sing/play back passages. I had two students. One of my students I had worked with before and she had a balanced sense of the above, but was not professionally trained and was looking to better herself. The other was a gentleman who had never sang formally. He had a good ear but, as we all do, had things to work on.

This was a new and interesting experience for me. Where I have worked with groups before for minor adjustments, this was my first time doing individualized adult instruction which was not chorus based. Both of the students grew in skill tremendously fast. It was clear that they both were frustrated with their own mistakes. Knowing where to back off and move on is always finding the feel for it. I feel like I had a decent sense of this.

Would I teach this class again? Absolutely! I would change up some of the structure and skill level activities, but all in all, I feel like it went well.

January 11, 2017November 12, 2018

Winterfeast

Fa la la, fus roh da

Who’s smart idea was it to let the bard autocrat an event? Who’s smart idea was it to let the Viking bard autocrat an event? Vikings are known for pillaging, ravaging, and burning, not planning, and organizing, and decorating!

However, this Viking likes food. And I had an awesome kitchen staff. Despite all the hare in the stew.

I spent months planning my first event {Trust me, she did, it’s all she would talk about at fencing practice. (Shut up, Karen!)} And I never took for granted how much work the autocrats put into their events, big or small. I had excel spreadsheets, checklists, and lists for my excel-lists and checksheets. No, wait.

And best of all, the best deputy a Viking could ask for. My deputy found my masterful feastocrats, and also helped to find the perfect location. I didn’t just want this event to be delicious, I wanted the atmosphere to feel like home. If home had servers. And live music. And dancing. And games. And a silent auction. And room to seat 120.

Oh, and two surprise guests I couldn’t even imagine would grace my small event. But that comes later.

Before I had even submitted my bid. I made sure I had beat all my ducks into submission, and they were all in a neat row. I had lined up all my volunteers, and had my menu planned, and waited several weeks anxiously to find out my bid had been accepted.

Once everything had been lined up, I had about a month and a half to complete everything on my checklists. Everything fell into line easily, almost like I had planned it to. Until two weeks prior to the event…

Dun dun DUUUUUUN!

I had received a message on the Tome of Visages from Astrid, head retainer for their Royal Highnesses. “Hey Solvieg, Guess who’s coming to visit?”

I don’t know, Batman and Robin?

Good guess, but think a little bit fancier. With pointy hats.

Batman and Robin putting on a Statue of Liberty cosplay?

Close, but still no cigar.

Their Highnesses!

*insert cursing in my brain*

My heart began to palpate. What are you supposed to do to royalty? Or is it *with* royalty? Do I also have to dress up fancy and wear a floofy dress? Gosh darn it, I don’t wanna! You can’t make me!

The realization that the event was a week and a half away, and I don’t know what to do with royals or where to put them, or even where they went on my excel sheets, I did what any insane person would do: reach out to my 50 closest friends who had run events before, and ask for their sagest knowledge. And when that didn’t cut it, alcohol suggestions.

I was blessed with copious suggestions, and my mind was put at ease.

Hooray! The day of the event!

Wait, what is all this white stuff?! Why is it snowing?!

Because it’s January in Maine. Gah.

Thanks to the presence of our Royals, the event was sold out before the doors even opened. I had more volunteers than I knew what to do with for set up. And more kept coming. The hall was beautiful, filled with everything from garlands to banners of personal arms. We even glitter bombed their Highnesses chairs (thanks Karen! {My pleasure! His Highness said I gave him craft herpes, hehe!})

The fragrance of fine food filled the air. (<– see, I made alliteration work this time!) And I had just enough servers for the tables, even with Karen bouncing in and out of the kitchen as needed. We even had a small court, thank goodness for no set up. The removes rolled in, and empty dishes rolled out. Between removes, the Malagentian Bardic Players even performed. When there were no Malagentian Bardic Players performances, solo bards got up to do their own. Some I had pre-arranged, and some were a surprise. I felt almost empty, not having performed up to that point. It was my duty to make sure the event kept running smoothly, however, my deputy advised me that for five minutes, the event would be under control with me {Oh, what a liar!} (Shut up Karen!). She encouraged me to get up and sing, and so I did just that. I performed one piece by myself, and then an improvised duet with a friend.

{Karen even got up with the same friend and sang The Feast Song with her! And Karen doesn’t sing in public!}

As the night came to a close, their Highnesses presented me each with their tokens, which were the first ones minted of their reign. On top of that, the numbers were run for the event, and we made a $750 profit {on an event that usually loses money! Wow!}, and a $450 donation to the Riding of Ravensbridge through the Silent Auction.

The snow continued to fall, though my wonderful volunteers stuck around to help break down the event. I think I made it home in one piece. I didn’t leave site until 11:30. I don’t remember how I got home, I just remember crawling into bed and sleeping until noon the next day. What an exhausting and wonderful experience. The cherry on the sundae was receiving from many individuals about how much they loved the variety of bardic performances throughout the evening. 8.5 out of 10, would definitely consider running again, in a few years at least. As long as it’s not a last minute Royal Progress…

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September 14, 2016September 20, 2017

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.

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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!

September 9, 2016September 21, 2017

Harvest Moon 2016

By the light of the silvery moon!

Malagentia, land of the bad people and my home. I am so proud to be one of yours and surrounded by so many talented people. I would make it my mission to amongst you.

Harvest Moon 2016 was the first year Baronial Bard would be re-established since prior to my entry into the SCA in 2010. I decided I would compete in everything I would be eligible for. I arrived on site, early, to see where I could be of service. I also would be as social as possible early on so I could make sure to be social but be a part of everything I could at this small and crammed event. Upon my walk about the site, I had bumped into an individual who i don’t see often, but still try to be polite to. What started as an average conversation quickly turned into a baradement of me for something I apparently had done in the past. I will leave out the gory details (Which I do not believe I did anything wrong) but note that I now felt uneasy. I felt shaken and like I shouldn’t even compete today whether it be in fencing or Bardic.

I wandered over to one of my mentors, Mistress Camille de Jardin (At the time, Dona Camille), and expressed my woes. She, as she often does, with grace, helped to not only provide a Bardic pep talk, but also had convinced me to don my fencing armor and face her in the fencing tournament. This silly and but fun tournament had lifted my spirits. Though the tournament was coming to a close, the heralds had called for those entering the Bardic tournament to come to the Barn. I resigned my spot in the fencing tournament and rushed to the Barn (This is after changing garb, fixing my hair and making myself look like a more presentable viking.

The Barn had a moderate sized crowd (Larger than expected as there were still other tournaments going on). The format was as follows:

The first piece was the performer’s choice. I decided to go with a piece that was well within my repertoire and that I felt confident that I could perform well. It has always been my experience to start off with a bang and start on a strong note so that if your next piece is not as good, you could have something to stand on.

The second piece was a random subject from a hat. We could perform any genre (Song, Story, Poem, Dance) but it had to be from the subject picked and did not have to be memorized. My subject was “Home”. I could think of no better song to perform than my mentor, Mistress Analeda Falconbridge’s, “I am of the North”. It was not perfect, but it was heartfelt and the audience joined me.

As we waited for them to announce the winner, I sat next to friends and the gentleman I had been competing against. There was a child, no older than 6 who decided to get up and perform as well. Between asking that gentleman who competed again me to please continue to teach and perform. Intermittently, I could not help but but be in awe of the bravery of the young lady on stage, performing the heck out of twinkle twinkle little star.

While watching this young lady and waiting for the judges to come back with their decision, It occurred to me that I had been focusing too much on competitions and what judges thought of me. It had been a long performance journey for me since college and feeling validated had been in the forefront of my mind. I watched this child perform for the pure joy of performing and I needed to find this again.

The judges re-convened and I was announced the winner. The win was still one for me to add so I could do more for the Province, but it was at this point I would focus more on the joy than winning.

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July 25, 2016September 21, 2017

The Great Balloon Festival, 2016

The Viking invades Auburn, again! A teensy bit tardy this time, because she’s overcommitted. #shocker, right?

It’s time to make the music again! But this time, instead of heavylift gear, I brought things to stab people with. I had heard over the winter that rapiers made for sexier bards, so I decided to try it out. # +4tocharisma, am I right? Bard book in hand, the filk that had started last summer would be coming to life. Mwahahaha!

My repertoire had grown twice over since last year, so I was lucky enough to have more of a variety to pick and choose from. This time, instead of staying in Bardic Grove, I wandered throughout or medieval town. I channeled my inner Miss Piggy and hammed it up. See what I did there, hehe?

Again, after hours of singing, I decided that it was time to go play on the dark side of things and go stab my friends. After all, what is better therapy than stabbing those you play board games with? I think my favorite part of fencing demos is it’s just like being in stage at a B-rated play. I once again channeled my inner Bruce Campbell, a la Army of Darkness, while alive, and my Paul Rubens, a la that horrible Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie that even Joss Whedon admits isn’t canon (shut up, Karen! I like that movie!) when dying. The night came quickly, and I was off like a light, because mundania yelled at me that I had to go apartment hunting — stupid mundane life!

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July 14, 2016September 21, 2017

The Great Northeastern War

O cantare, O solo mio!

A few months prior to the war, I was approached by the A and S minister, Lord Frederick Vandeveer, about giving a concert at the event. Excitement and anxiety rushed over me, you might say it came in like a wrecking ball!

I eagerly accepted, and had thus sealed my fate. After allowing this information to sink into my brain, I realized that, while working a standard 40 hour per week job, my skadian career, modeling, cosplaying, fencing, and an overwhelming need to satiate a need for social connection, an hour-long concert would be a little bit of an undertaking to attempt on my own.

So I decided to call in a life line and make this a tag-team Super Friends concert.

Thus, the birth of Lady Solveig and Friends!

I reached out in a frantic… I mean “composed” (yea, we’ll go with that) fashion to all my talented friend base of performers. The super list included Mistress Analitta Falconbridge, His Excellency Jean Du Montagne, Lady Eva Southerland, and Lady Nuala McKensie.

I had asked all except for Eva to have 2-3 pieces of diverse style to perform. Eva was local to me and would not only be performing her own pieces, but accompanying me on guitar as well. I had also asked everyone to include the titles and duration of their contributions. I should note this was my first time ever organizing a concert.

Eva and I got together many times to rehearse up until the day of the concert. The concert was scheduled for Saturday after court, which seemed to run on forever. To be fair, most GNE courts do. Originally the concert had been scheduled in Bardic Grove, however, due to the copious amounts of rain that had fallen, a more apt title at the time may have been “Bardic Lake”. Therefor, the concert had been moved to the barn.

8:30 or so, I hauled ass to the barn, trying to stay as dry as possible. I was blessed to have heralds announcing the concert, or I fear no one would have come. Circum 9:00, we had about 45 attendees, but 2 of my performers were still missing. But, alas, the show must go on!

I sat on the stage in front of the audience and had a casual conversation with them to warm up the crowd, and perhaps to calm my own quickened heartbeat. And after about 5 minutes of this, only 1 of my 2 missing performers had shown up. Jean De la Montagne, with his 21 Charisma (+5 modifier!) strolled in with his infamous hat (with admirably long plumage!). He offered up this hat to me, and it seemed to have magic powers. The hat bestowed upon its wearer (now me) a new sense of bravado and confidence. At this point, the concert began.

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Songs wove between the first 4 performers until the 5th had finally shown. There was no competition between the performers. Our only battle was against the rain, with its tapping against the roof a constant backdrop to any music we sought to perform.

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At one point, I was so bold as to entice the audience to join in the song. I taught them the round, “Rose, rose”, and had them sing in 4 parts. On top of that, I added another layer of “Poor Bird”, and, finally, Mistress Aneleda added an addition layer of “Hey Ho”.

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About an hour later, the concert was over, and the rain had let up. This whole concert seemed to be in perfect harmony, and I had earned some new followers. All in all, a rather positive experience.

June 17, 2016September 21, 2017

Huginn and Munnin

Write me like one of your french women.

Huggin and Munin was taking flight and the Riding of Ravensbridge was starting to take shape. As a growing community not quite yet official, it was time to begin recording their history. Ravensbridge is an incipient Riding of Malagentia and as a resident of Malagentia, I felt the need to help document their history.

I spent the next few weeks reaching out to the founding members to find out exactly how this group came to fruition. Of combined efforts, I was able to piece together this viking village and their bright birth.

Below is the entry I composed:

Down by the swan-road we soar on the wing

and from our hearts a song we did sing

Over the mountains it rang o’re the ridge

about the birth of Ravensbridge

Trapped between rivaling nations we stand

This place was not home, no not on this land

Together as people the plain that we spanned

to make a home not written in sand

Down by the swan-road we soar on the wing

and from our hearts a song we did sing

Over the mountains it rang o’re the ridge

about the birth of Ravensbridge

We searched for a center, a place to call home

Two strongholds that stood, both we did roam

Endewearde, headland of swords north fair

Malagentia lit South, by the light of Sif’s hair

Down by the swan-road we soar on the wing

and from our hearts a song we did sing

Over the mountains it rang o’re the ridge

about the birth of Ravensbridge

Our men speared-din worn, our people lost drive

‘til an outstretched arm lent our kinsman to thrive

A spot between moon and shield to be shown

Our wound-hoe, blood-ember and arms soon to be grown

Down by the swan-road we soar on the wing

and from our hearts a song we did sing

Over the mountains it rang o’re the ridge

about the birth of Ravensbridge

Nameless the many who wandered are we

A name and an image we’re proud to be seen

In honor of friends and this place that we stand

The Raven and Bridge is our chosen brand

Down by the swan-road we soar on the wing

and from our hearts a song we did sing

Over the mountains it rang o’re the ridge

about the birth of Ravensbridge

As a side note, this was my first attempt at composing using kennings. Ravensbridge is a viking based group, I tried to be authentic in composition style and true to their heritage.

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After the performances were completed but before their winners were announced, music needed to be made. I did what I do best and I pulled out rounds and found any willing to sing to join me. It was then announced that I was the first winner of their Bardic competition.

June 5, 2016January 18, 2022

The Birth of Ravensbridge

This piece was composed for the the incipient shire of Ravensbridge. They has put forth a challenge to compose a Song/Story/Poem about their inception. This was my response. Recording to come.