Tag: Queen

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Elevation Speech for Corotica-Rose

The Coronation of Brennan IV and Caoilfhionn IV

When I met Corotica, they had barely set foot into our kingdom and yet, it felt like they had been here since its inception. I walked into their life and they bounded into mine. They shared themselves, their art and their shoulder. I would see them soaring from working on their art to adorned in full armor as if invisible wings would carry them effortlessly, but with expediency. I saw fire in them around them. The true passion of the artist and the fire of a fighter, emblazoned in battle. The fighter that is the protectorate with the playfulness of a goblin… nay… a cryptid paladin, ready to fight for the downtrodden, the ignored and forgotten. They were ready to fight the good fight.

However, I am not here to speak of Corotica and how truly amazing of a human they are. I am here to speak of the inspiration that Corotica has bestowed. I would be remiss to only speak of my experiences. When you stand on the dias with other champions, you start to build new bonds. One of those bonds is with the person we are championed to. Inspiration is not just about words, it is about actions as well. Ryan MacWhite shares the story of an arrow. It was a super heated match, if you had not had seen it. The only noise was the sound of bows loosing and arrows making contact with the target. Ryan’s second to last arrow shattered into what felt like 1000 pieces. Only a small section survived. When the round was decided, he took the arrow fletching, which had survived, to her Excellency, Indrakshi and the tip to Corotica. He stated “This is just the first of many arrows I would break in your name”. The finals came and another arrow was shattered. This time, Ryan had presented the fletching of the arrow to Corotica to make their arrow whole, so to speak. Corotica advised how this moment of the event had made their day. Later, after safe travels home. Corotica sent a picture of the arrow parts in a vase in their home. Most folks would say “oh, a broken arrow” and throw it in the garbage but it MEANT something to them and that’s just rare and special.

I bring words from the co-populace, Lady Seigne Ruadh, Woman of the SCA, Archer, artisan and friend. Seigne spoke to me as a woman of the SCA. She spoke, with joyful tears in her eyes, of Corotica, who is female presenting. Seigne spoke of Corotica as a fighter who is a voice for women in the SCA. Corotica has  spoken out for the underprivileged genders and continues to speak out for them. Corotica has made it known that things need to change for women and those who do not fit the mold for the male gender. Corotica has spoken publically about how male presenting fighters were treated and the disparity of the treatment Corotica received when they said the same thing just a moment before. When Corotica became consort, they stated that a change was coming. That our world would change. That is influence. Seigne states “ I am not a fighter, I but am an archer and I am a woman. I think it’s really important that Corotica made it known that you need to listen to people, not a gender and I appreciate them for doing that. I was inspired to create a coat to make them stand out. I did a large documentable piece of research because they had a stunning personality, a warrior and who would appreciate a warm gift.” This is power. This is inspiration. This is the voice that Corotica has given the populace.

To all those assembled today, Corotica is a Rose with thorns. They are a defender of the weak, inspiration for the artist, muse for the warriors. They have long since been a peer. I, a member of the populace, was given a voice today thanks to Corotica. I can recommend no one more than I do them. 

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It was the best of times; it was the 12 night of times….

Long island! You are a bit of a haul from Maine. 12th night is one of the most exciting social events of the SCA. It’s usually encompassed by the best garb, amazing food and music! Oh no! Music!!! Twist my arm!
I am fairly close with both Royale Bardic champions, so we communicate a lot. I had found that they had an entire track of music for the day. My heart sung with glee. At first, I thought of what I could sing? Would this be holiday related or just my usual run of tracks. Then I had a stunning idea. The adhoc choir would get a chance to finally get their first real performance!
I sent out an email about 3-4 weeks prior to and got a good feeling of head count. There will always be last minute stragglers, people who aren’t on the lists and people who don’t make it. That’s ok! It’s life and it happens. When I figured out there was enough interest, I reached out to the Event Steward and asked if I could kidnap a space for 90 minutes to learn and run 20-25 minutes of music. He agreed!
Next, the music choices came out. During holiday season, we all want to spread cheer no matter what faith we have or don’t have. It’s a great way to bring the community together. I went through and picked out 7 period and traditional pieces. The Boards Head Carol, Ah Robin, Dona Nobis Pacem, Gaudete, Gloucestershire Carol (Traditional, not period), Here we come a wassailing (Traditional) and The Holly and the Ivy (plausibly period). Due to the nature of documented music for vocalists, it can be a challenge to find pieces that were secular in nature and at the skill level of the performers I am working with. I think this diverse set of pieces would give them some challenge as well as some easier pieces to rely on. I even chose to give out a couple Solos to the performers who wanted to try their hand at it.

Choir
I didn’t hold auditions for various reasons, but the primary reason is opportunity. When you are a full-time performer, you tend to get more opportunities to perform as a soloist. The more skill you had, the greater the chance. Most of these folks are all volunteers who just liked to sing or sang in chorus in high school and that was their last real opportunity to sing. Some don’t even read music. That is just fine. Everyone gets a chance if they want it with me.
After rehearsing the pieces, couple of soloists asked for additional help. One expressed concern on rhythm/notes and the other with the language itself. I worked with each for an additional 20 minutes and by the end, they both felt very confident and ready to perform.
About 1:00 it was their time to shine. Each of them stood proudly in our vocal horseshoe, ready to do a thing. They sang their hearts out with joy. Not even one of them seemed nervous. After about 25 minutes of performance and several pictures being taken, we were approached by a couple of patrons. The one comment that really stuck with me was this: “You made me feel like I was truly immersed in a 12th night feast. The music, the madrigals… I was there. Thank you” and she handed each one of my performers a token of gratitude. Were the pieces perfect? No. Were they enjoyed by all? Yes. Both singer and bystander. My heart flowed for each and every one.

 

Choir 2
I had my own set later. I used this time to work some of my Crown Bardic pieces to get them in front of an audience, because they were new. One of the pieces of advice I give to all of my performers I have every worked with both solo and group is to make sure you get to perform a piece in front of as many people as you can before you go for the gold. My middle schoolers would have an assembly in front of their peers before they sang for their parents that night. What this does is prepare people ahead of time and make it old hat instead of new and shiny. This is also done with professional performers as well. They have full runs and open dress rehearsals to get feedback from the audience. So, this is done by all skill levels.

Solo
The rest of the night was food and merriment as well as serving my amazing queen. In my free time I have been retaining whenever possible. I helped pack up for the night and home I went. I even got to participate as a mummer in my dear friend’s performance during open bardic performances.

Mummers

The Boar’s Head Carol was first published in English during the 1520’s in a book entitled Christmase Carolles Newly Emprynted at London in the flete street, which was written by Jan van Wynken de Worde.
“Boar’s Head Carol”. Christmas-Carols.org.uk. Archived from the original on December 28, 2009. Retrieved December 8, 2009.
William Cornysh (1468-1523)

Cornish. William. Ah Robin, Gentle Robin. Edited by Alberto Gomez Gomez: 2012.
Encyclopædia Britannica Online, s. v. “William Cornysh,” accessed February 10, 2014, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/138138/William-Cornysh.
“Dona nobis pacem” (Ecclesiastical Latin: [ˈdona ˈnobis ˈpatʃem] “Grant us peace”) is a song with Latin text, often sung as a canon or round (where each section starts with a new voice). It is the invocation to the Lamb of God to have mercy and grant peace to the worshipers. It is said to have been introduced into the Mass by Pope Sergius I in 687,

Gaudete ( “rejoice [ye]” in Latin) is a sacred Christmas carol, thought to have been composed in the 16th century. It was published in Piae Cantiones, a collection of Finnish/Swedish sacred songs published in 1581. No music is given for the verses, but the standard tune comes from older liturgical books.

The Holly and the Ivy was first published in a broadside dated 1710 and have have originated somewhere in the Cotswolds.
The Holly & Ivy; Twelve Articles. Birmingham: D. Wrighton. n.d.

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Music and the Coronation of Ozurr and Fortune

It’s that time of year again, friends, where music needs to happen!

As you saw in my previous post, I had gotten the bid to make the tokens for Ozurr and Fortune for their coronation. Helium hand strikes again. However, my true passion, if you haven’t guessed it by now, is making music.

4 weeks prior at K and Q Bardic, I was approached by the queen’s bard and asked if I were would be at coronation and if I would sing. It was to be a late period Italian coronation. I have a fair bit of late Italian in my repertoire, so, I agreed.

Shortly after gulf wars was over, I received yet another message from the queen’s bard asking for my musical expertise to assist her with repertoire as well as asking me to conduct the choir and run rehearsals. This is my wheelhouse after all. However, with this only being just over 2 weeks until coronation, I’ll admit I was a bit apprehensive. However, we hunkered down and got to work.

Over the next 2 weeks, I made sure music had gotten to folks, ran some rehearsals out of my home, made sure there was online rehearsals for those who wanted it and diligently reviewed the 3 pieces we had to perform.

Conducting is not just getting up there and waving a stick or your hands. There is a lot of time reviewing the scores, knowing where difficult parts may fall, how to fix them, appropriate changes in tempo, dynamics and knowing where there might be blend issues and vowel issues. In addition, if the piece isn’t in English, getting your performers all on the same page on that.

Day of we only ended up doing two of the pieces. That’s ok. Stuff changes. I also managed to sit outside for the sitting in state.

Here is a clip of ” The World an Illusion” by David Yardley (Lord Geoffrey of Exeter).

 

This is a direct quote from the composer:

It’s Anon 15th C, English. I adapted the words of the last stanza to make the song. You might find it useful to also look at my whole first album that was professionally recorded and released – the entire thing is about staying true to period while composing and re imagining the medieval.

And if you want to check out my first album with loads of examples of what you’re talking about, it’s https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nIpq88PwzSeo9PFMyePKtVkNKhTkjBhz0 This will be on my second album of compositions.

Here is the sheet music for it:

The world an illusion EK coronation version

David Yardley, (B. 1978- )

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We also performed a second piece:

La_vèr_l’aurora_SATB

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1eSyHaNQJNXMyrOXFgEWXrga0Pn5pwsSt

 

Là ver’ l’aurora, che si dolce- Palestrina

Madrical- Published in 1555 in Il primo libro de madrigali a 4 voci, no. 8.

Là ver’ l’aurora, che si dolce l’aura
al tempo novo suol movere i fiori,
et li augelletti incominciar lor versi,
si dolcemente i pensier’ dentro a l’alma
mover mi sento a chi li a tutti in forza,
che ritornar convenmi a le mie note

 

The dawn is there, that the aura

is sweet at the time wind wont move the flowers

and them augelletti will start their verses,

he gently thought into his soul

I feel to those who put them all together,

that I return to my notes.

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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.

Harp.jpg

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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Words for Antonio Giancarlo Nicastri

This was a scroll assignment for the Order of the Silver Tyger

With fearsome might, he enters the list
Keen strength and skills surpass those of peers and Tygers all
What blows are swung with sword, skidded by shield and skewered by spear
May you fear them equally
In front of him, pray you not be
Side by side, a brother at arms to stay
Pennsic Brave, one of five left and still not an ounce of cowardice in his eyes
Honor and Valor drape humbly upon his shoulders
We, the East, are proud to have him armed and ready
In turn, we, Emperor Brennan and Empress Caoilfhionn, proudly induct Antonio Giancarlo Nicastri into the order of the Silver Tyger on this day, April 21, Anno Sociotatis 52 at Balfar’s Challenge

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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.