Dragon's Laire's Bardic Championship.

[arontius]

.....Greetings All,

.....It was an interesting day at the Dragon's Laire Baronial Bardic Championship. Lots of highs, some lows. Definitely a learning experience all around, that is for sure.

.....The Championship itself consists of two entries. My morning entry was a comparison of sounds between the bass gemshorn and the bass recorder. I was extremely nervous as I started the introductions. But when I played my gemshorn I relaxed some. I love the gemshorn. It has a very nice, pleasant sound and is a lot of fun to play. When I was done with my gemshorn recital I picked up my bass recorder and started with its recital and immediately started having problems. When I warmed up earlier the recorder sounded great but like an idiot when I came back into the room I sat the warm, moist recorder next to a cold drafty window. So when I started playing again, well duh, sqweak, sqweak, sqweak. The more I sqweaked the more nervous I became and my fingers started shaking. I made it through the song eventually, it was 'adequate' but it wasn't exactly pretty.

.....In the afternoon I went through a comparison of 'Shakespearean' and Spenserian sonnets. I enjoy reading and writing sonnets, so this was rather fun. I was still nervous as was evident in how I rushed through my presentation. I glossed over some sonnetry construction that the audience might have appreciated hearing. But I was quite proud of the fact that I was able to answer any question posed to me in depth and with easy answers and that all the sonnets I presented to the judges were written by myself. One of the judges, Mistress Giuseppe wants me to write an Italian sonnet that she could put to song. I'll have to work on that. :-)

.....There were two other competitors. Vincent of Venice (Glymm Mere) played two songs on a harp. I love harp music so I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the music. Conchobar (our former Baronial Marshall) did a filked song in the morning. In the afternoon he did this absolutely amazing soliloquy comparison of theatre styles from Richard the III (Shakespeare). He was absolutely amazing! After his performance I was sure in my heart that he had won the competition. But to my absolute astonishment Talia gathered us all up later that evening and let us know that I had won the Championship. I was absolutely floored. I was totally convinced that Conchobar had won and hadn't really given a whole lot of thought to the Championship after that.

.....However, on Sunday I started finding out that it might have been a more controversial win than I may have thought. The general opinion from several people was that too much attention was given to the documentation and background and less to the actual performance itself. I would be the first to admit that Conchobar's Richard III performance was, by far, the best of the day. So if the points had been weighted to the performances themselves, would I still have won? Maybe, maybe not. What really made me wonder though was that, if nothing else, the point spread should have been close enough to where Their Excellencies should have been brought in to discuss who should be awarded the Championship. I know that His Excellency had problems with what I presented and so if given a chance I think that Conchobar stood a very good chance of coming away the Champion. His Excellency is a clear proponent of the Bardic Champion being an entertainer first, historian / researcher second. I can actually agree with his viewpoint. And since the Championship is for Their Excellencies’ Champion, his viewpoint should carry considerable weight.

.....If had known all of this on Saturday I think that I might have refused the Champion's cloak. I would much rather be the clear Champion than have a Championship questioned even in passing. Not sure exactly what to do about it all at this point. It may be that nothing can be done about it at this point. I may just not wear the cloak or stand behind the Baronial Thrones for this year. And, to be honest, that part I don’t think I’ll mind a whole heck of a lot. I’d much rather be comfortable in the audience. :-)

…..Like I said though, I learned a lot. And I very much enjoyed having Marquessa Laurellen be my inspiration. She was such an incredible steadying and supporting force all day. She encouraged me constantly. Made sure I was fed and watered. Stayed out of my way when I needed to be alone. Gave me her special smile and the ‘look’ whenever she thought I needed it. She made the day good. I’m so incredibly lucky to have her in my life now. Makes me giddily happy just thinking about it. :-)

…..Gotta run and get to work.

…..Aaron / Arontius.

Comments

[ornerie.livejournal.com]

congrats on ENTERING even, dude! sheesh! how many people plan on doing it but dont actually manage to get their stuff together enough to get multiple entries together?

:)

the judges declaired you the winner. that day. of that set of criteria. you best fit that set of criteria on that day. thats all :). it doesnt mean you're better or anything, just that you best met their criteria at that moment in time :)

I agree with Laurellin. you have the opportunity to set your own and anyone elses mind at rest by knocking their socks off performance wise :)

go for it!

hey, and I didnt know you played the recorder...we should get together sometime! I do soprano and tenor, and am teaching cute ltitle red haired apprentices hubby the alto. that sounds like a consort to me! ;)

[parlor-games.livejournal.com]

"the judges declaired you the winner. that day. of that set of criteria. you best fit that set of criteria on that day. thats all :). it doesnt mean you're better or anything, just that you best met their criteria at that moment in time :)"

totally true. and, since this was a championship, you have many opportunities to show how good you really are for the duration of your obligation. rather than stressing about the way this decision was made, I encourage you to instead focus on showing how worthy you are. which I have no doubt you will do.