King's and Queen's Bardic Competition: FAQs for 2017 Competition

East Kingdom Bardic Championship
(Updated 1/23/2017)

On February 11, 2017, in the Shire of Concordia of the Snows (http://www.eastkingdom.org/EventDetails.php?eid=3125), King Brion and Queen Anna will select their Bardic Champions based on a three-round competition. Competitors will be judged by Their Majesties and the current Champions, along with an advisory committee, on choice of material, artistic impression, audience impact, technical skill, and individual response.

Questions regarding the competition format or requirements should be directed to the current Queen’s Bard, Mistress Alys Mackyntoich, via email at alys.mackyntoich@gmail.com. Mistress Alys is not on Facebook, but Lady Aethelflied Brewbane, the King’s Bard is, and will answer questions arising in that forum.

*For the first time this year, we are asking those intending to compete to pre-register with Mistress Alys, the Queen’s Bard, by sending her an email at alys.mackyntoich@gmail.com. Emails must be received by midnight on February 6, 2017 if you wish to compete. The email need only contain your name and a statement of intent.*

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I need to pre-register in order to compete?
Yes, for the first time this year, we are asking Bardic competitors to pre-register with the Champions stating their intent to compete. Those intending to compete must pre-register with Mistress Alys by February 6, 2017. Note that this is not the same as pre-registering for the event, although we encourage that as well.

How is the competition structured?
The competition will take place over three rounds with the following parameters.

FIRST ROUND: a documented period piece, a period-style piece OR a piece written on an SCA theme.

SECOND ROUND: a piece of a different type or style than that done in the first round. For example, if you performed a documented period piece for round one and wish to perform another documented period piece for round two, the two pieces should differ in some other way, such as mood (happy vs. melancholy), type of performance (poetry vs. song, prose vs. instrumental), etc.

THIRD ROUND: Their Majesties’ choice. Their Majesties will instruct the competitors on what they wish to hear, guided by their earlier performances, the skills which have been listed in their “resume”, and (possibly) a brief interview of the entrant. Performers will have a few minutes to prepare.

What is a "period piece"?
For this competition, a “period piece” is defined as an actual historical piece of poetry, prose or music, with appropriate documentation.

What is a "period-style piece"?
A “period-style piece” is an original or adapted work using documented period forms.

What is a "piece on an SCA theme"?
 A “piece on an SCA theme” is any work written about SCA persons, events, or culture, and does not require documentation.

Are there time limits on my performances? (UPDATED 1/23/2017)
Competitors will have a total of fifteen minutes of performance time split over the all three rounds. For the third round, Their Majesties may add additional time at their whim.

Do I need documentation in order to compete? 
ONLY IF you are performing a period or “period style” piece. For period or period-style pieces, please provide a brief executive summary, such as would fit on an index card. Any additional documentation, such as a paper explaining the period style in which the piece was written or documenting the source of the period piece, will be accepted happily and will be counted in favor of the competitor.

Example of acceptable documentation:  
“Now Is The Month Of Maying” by Thomas Morley is dated to 1595.  I found this piece in The Oxford Book of English Madrigals (Oxford University Press, 1978).


What are the judges looking for?
Both the King’s and Queen’s Bard this year prefer documented period pieces and period-style pieces, and encourage performers to try those forms. Their Majesties are looking for pieces that move them emotionally, and enjoy pieces that evoke SCA history and culture.  So, the whole performing arts spectrum will be represented in the judging.

Can I compete as an instrumentalist?
Yes, as long as vocal performance is also part of what you do. At least one of your first two rounds should involve some sort of vocal presentation, whether spoken word or song.

Can I use a group performance for one of the rounds?
Only individuals can compete to be King’s or Queen’s Bard. However, a group performance such as a choral song, recorder consort or a brief mumming may be offered as part of an individual’s body of work IF the exact role of the person actually competing is made clear. For example, when Lady Hextilda offers a group performance of a recorder piece, she states on her index card and documentation that she wrote the piece in a particular period style and is performing the alto recorder part.

What if I don’t want to be a Royal Bard but I want to get feedback?

Schedule permitting, there will be time between rounds for people to display their performances without competing for either Bardic position.