Bard of Caid Rules 2015

The competition for Bard of Caid 2015 was slightly different than in years past. Due to Winter Coronation moving to Twelfth Night, and desiring to incorporate feedback from prior participants and past Bards of Caid, Their Majesties directed Paul fitz Denis, the 10th Bard of Caid, to conduct the competition to determine his successor in the following manner.

Competition Format

The selection of the 11th Bard of Caid will involve two parts: a preliminary set of rounds to determine the finalists, and a final round.

Preliminary Rounds

There will be three preliminary rounds, each at a different event, each with a different focus:

• Festival of the Rose, Saturday, July 18th: A period piece (documented to pre-1650).
• Highland War, Saturday, Sept 5th: A piece to be performed around the campfire at the Royal Encampment.
• Great Western War, Saturday, Oct 10th: A piece composed on-site using secret ingredients announced that day.

The winner of each preliminary round will be announced and given a prize. In order to become the next Bard of Caid, a person must participate in at least two of the three preliminary rounds (see Determining Finalists below for scoring). It is not required to be competing in the overall Bard of Caid competition to compete in a preliminary round; people may choose to participate only in a single event’s competition.

Judging in the preliminary rounds will be by the current Bard of Caid and by the Crown (at their discretion). There will be a scoring rubric (see below). Each competitor will be scored, scores collected, and feedback sheets returned.

Determining Finalists

There are twenty points possible in each preliminary round. Any competitor not participating in a round receives zero points for that round. After the three preliminary rounds, the lowest score for each competitor will be dropped and the other two totalled. The three competitors with the highest totals will be invited to perform in the finals at Twelfth Night.

Final Round

The final round will take place at Twelfth Night, either between the First Court of the incoming Crown and feast or during the feast itself. In the final round, all competitors start from zero points and are asked to perform one piece of their choosing. Again, a rubric will be provided. Judging in the final round will be by the current Bard of Caid and by the incoming Crown, and the winner will be announced during feast.

Notes

Any question should be directed to the current Bard of Caid, Paul fitz Denis, at paul.fitz.denis at gmail dot com.

Former Bards of Caid are encouraged to compete, and if not competing they are encouraged to come and offer counsel to the judges.

Judging Sheets

Judging Sheet for Festival of the Rose (20 points possible)

Selection (4 points possible)

• How appropriate for the event is the piece?
• How well-matched to the performer is the piece?
• How difficult is the piece?

Documentation (2 points possible)

• Is the context around the piece explained? (Who? What? Where? When?)
• Is the period form or style explained? (Why? How?)
• If there are any obscure or archaic words in the piece, are they defined?
• If the piece is not in modern English, is a translation provided?

Execution (7 points possible)

• Was the performer adequately prepared?
• Was the performer clearly heard and understood?
• Did the performer understand and interpret the piece appropriately?
• Did the performer make effective use of gestures, facial expressions, clothing, props, etc.?

Performance (7 points possible)

• Did the performer connect with the audience?
• Did the performer make an intentional emotional impact on the audience?
• Did the performer’s introduction enhance the piece?
• Did the performer’s stage presence enhance the piece?
• Was the performance compelling?

Judging Sheet for Highland War (20 points possible)

Selection (5 points possible)

• How appropriate for the event is the piece?
• How well-matched to the performer is the piece?
• How difficult is the piece?
• Is the piece period or period in style?

Execution (7 points possible)

• Was the performer adequately prepared?
• Was the performer clearly heard and understood?
• Did the performer understand and interpret the piece appropriately?
• Did the performer make effective use of gestures, facial expressions, clothing, props, etc.?

Performance (8 points possible)

• Did the performer connect with the audience?
• Did the performer make an intentional emotional impact on the audience?
• Did the performer’s introduction enhance the piece?
• Did the performer’s stage presence enhance the piece?
• Was the performance compelling?

Judging Sheet for Great Western War (20 points possible)

Composition (6 points possible)

• How appropriate for the event is the piece?
• How well-matched to the performer is the piece?
• How difficult is the piece?
• How well does the piece incorporate the theme & ingredients?
• Is the piece period or period in style?

Execution (6 points possible)

• Was the performer adequately prepared?
• Was the performer clearly heard and understood?
• Did the performer understand and interpret the piece appropriately?
• Did the performer make effective use of gestures, facial expressions, clothing, props, etc.?

Performance (7 points possible)

• Did the performer connect with the audience?
• Did the performer make an intentional emotional impact on the audience?
• Did the performer’s introduction enhance the piece?
• Did the performer’s stage presence enhance the piece?
• Was the performance compelling?

Judging Sheet for Twelfth Night (20 points possible)

Selection (5 points possible)

• How appropriate for the event is the piece?
• How well-matched to the performer is the piece?
• How difficult is the piece?
• Is the piece period or period in style?

Execution (7 points possible)

• Was the performer adequately prepared?
• Was the performer clearly heard and understood?
• Did the performer understand and interpret the piece appropriately?
• Did the performer make effective use of gestures, facial expressions, clothing, props, etc.?

Performance (8 points possible)

• Did the performer connect with the audience?
• Did the performer make an intentional emotional impact on the audience?
• Did the performer’s introduction enhance the piece?
• Did the performer’s stage presence enhance the piece?
• Was the performance compelling?