There will be several classes at Mid-Realm Bardic Madness. If you are interested in teaching a class, please contact the provost, Lorelei Skye.
Morning Session: 11am - Noon
Frame Drum 101: Dum dum Tek dum tek ka dum KAH - Tommaso Franceschi
Frame drums are among the oldest human artifacts. Examples can be found in nearly all cultures in all time periods, though they are especially prevalent among nomadic peoples. In this session, Signore Tommaso teaches as he was taught, with physical demonstration and aural cues.
All frame drums are welcome. Some loaner gear will be available.
Improv Games - John Inchingham
Master John Inchingham the Fool introduces newcomers to the wonders of improvisation and provides veteran performers with a chance to test their abilities. Improvisation is taught both as an art-form in and of itself and as a means of creating ideas for the aspiring bard (and for the seasoned tunesmith with writer’s block). The class is fun and informal. Come prepared to move and to make a fool of yourself!
Cantigas for Contrefait - Robyyan Torr d'Elandris
The practice of setting new words to existing tunes was known as "contrefait" or “contrafactum” in the middle ages and renaissance. This class will survey the history of contrafait, and then present the "Cantigas de Santa Maria" as a rich source of potential material. We will look at resources available for individual research on your own. And we will sing some tunes.
A Primer on Numbers - Kudrun the Pilgram
Join in an exploration of some of the uses of numbers in period as contrasted with today. Class includes usage for time, travel, money (just a little), cookery, and music.
Afternoon Session: 3pm - 4pm
Found Object Instruments, the Bag-pipe - Siobhán an Einigh of Connacht
Description: Bagpipe. A bag + a pipe. A wonderful instrument of Celtic fame that is actually found around the globe and across a wide span of time. In this class we will go over a short review of bagpipes in period, before turning our hands to making a simple version out of everyday objects - because anything can be an instrument!
Size: 5 hands on, 10 handouts
Age limits: 14 and up hands on, younger may sit in
Cost: $10 for materials, 0 for handout.
Techniques For Writing New Words To Fit Existing Music/Poetry - Dahrien Cordell
Learn techniques for checking the scansion of the original lyrics against your new lyrics in progress to see if they match, and for figuring out where and how you might be able "cheat" a little bit while still sounding good.
$1 for handouts (optional)
Any age; literacy required
Welsh Poetic Forms - Dai Gerdwr
Welsh poetry combines alliteration with rhyme schemes that seem simple but can be challenging in English - and that's without having to be able to pronounce the names. This class will be a quick introduction to metric forms and alliteration patterns, with examples in English and Welsh.