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Drumming in the Cantares Mexicanos: New World Percussion in the Aztec Empire -- Teacher: Teuctli Tenochcacuicatl Delmar (CANCELLED)

Saturday 23 January, 10am - 11am CST

Track A - 1 hour

Are you interested in learning about percussion and drumming traditions in the New World? Come join me as I discuss some of the percussive music traditions of the Aztec Empire, specifically focusing on the Mexica people and documentation found in the period publication, Cantares Mexicanos. If you want to follow along with the examples and demonstrations in the class, a drum that can produce more than one tone (doumbek, djembe, etc) is recommended.

For Adults and Teens

My Ukulele is a Guitar -- Teacher: Tommaso Franceschi

Saturday 23 January, 10am - 11am CST

Track B - 1 hour

The guitar of 15th and 16th Century Spain is much more similar to the Modern ukulele than the lute is to the Modern guitar. Indeed nearly all of the surviving music can be played without alteration on a standard ukulele. A look at this long-neglected instrument, its repertoire, performance and A&S considerations.

For Adults and Teens

Handout:

My Ukulele Is A Guitar

Bardic Cultural Anthropology Roundtable

Panel: THL Dorothea de Beckham, THL Aibhilin inghean Daibhidh, Mistress Aneleda Falconbridge, THL Emer nic Aiden, Lady Nezhka Orshinaia

Saturday 23 January, 10am - 12pm CST

Track C - 2 hours

Bardic customs and traditions can vary widely from kingdom to kingdom. What things do we have in common and where are the differences? Could any of those differences be adapted into our local game to strengthen it?

For All Ages

Sanshin: The Heart of Ryukyuan Music -- Teacher: Kame Gusukuma

Saturday 23 January, 11am - 12pm CST

Track A - 1 hour

Of all the traditional musical instruments of the Ryukyu Kingdom (modern-day Okinawa), the sanshin holds pride of place as the quintessential Ryukyuan instrument. Its long history and strong association with both classical high culture and folk art place it at the center of the Ryukyuan musical tradition. This class will discuss the history of the instrument, as well as its construction, musical structure and notation, and pedagogical tradition.

For All Ages

The Nibelungenlied -- Teacher: Sivrid Brumbach

Saturday 23 January, 11am - 12pm CST

Track B - 1 hour

This class will introduce the Middle High German epic poem The Nibelungenlied (The Song of the Nibelungs). This roughly 2400 stanza lyric poem which tells first the story of Sigfried and Kriemhild, and then of Kriemhild’s revenge was developed out of a rich oral tradition, and has a lot of material to offer our continued bardic endeavors. We will look at some of the underlying historical background and context for this late 12th/early 13th century poem, and go over the poetic form and the general storyline and key plot points. We will look at examples of the middle high german original, and modern english translations, as well as later material from related retellings of the stories.

For Adults and Teens

Text to Tale - Crafting a Compelling Performance from Source Material -- Teacher: Brendan O Corraidhe

Saturday 23 January, 12pm - 1:30pm CST

Track A - 1.5 hours

A simple process for taking source material and turning it into a powerful performance is presented, using as case studies two very different pieces.

PG-13 for (brief) descriptions of graphic violence and sexual themes.

For Adults and Teens

Songs of Sorrow: Ladino/Sephardic Song -- Teacher: Sayyida Laila al-Sanna’ al-Andalusiyya’ (CANCELLED)

Saturday 23 January, 12pm - 1:30pm CST

Track B - 1.5 hours

All levels welcome. Be prepared to sing. Drummers and other instrumentalists are also welcome. Reading music is not required. Period music comes in many shapes and sizes, and not all of it sounds like Gregorian Chant. The music of the Spanish Jews is some of the most passionate, satisfying music of the Medieval and Renaissance periods. Built on Jewish scales and employing a language that combines elements of Spanish and Hebrew, Ladino music taps into the pathos and heartache of the Jewish Diaspora. This class will include a short history of Ladino music, a quick tutorial on Ladino pronunciation, and few pointers about vocal style and ornamentation. In the main body of the class, you will learn 3-5 easy to intermediate Ladino songs. Music will be provided, but the songs will be taught by ear, as they would have been in Medieval Spain.

For Adults and Teens

Neurodiversity in the SCA / SCA Bardic Roundtable

Panel: THL Drake Oranwood, THL Hilla Stormbringer, Ruqayya bint Rabi'a al-'Aaliyya

Saturday 23 January, 12pm - 2pm CST

Track C - 2 hours

Not everyone sees, hears, or thinks in the same way. This can effect both performers and audience members. Are there things the bardic community can do to make our activities more accessible for those who process information differently? How does neurodiversity integrate with being a member of the bardic community?

For Adults and Teens

Matthew Paris and the Volcano -- Teacher: Michael of York

Saturday 23 January, 2pm - 3pm CST

Track A - 1 hour

This is a story about how researching a period tale leads to a new story all in itself.

In the middle of the 13th century, a massive volcanic eruption occurred in Indonesia. Matthew of Paris was a Benedictine monk in the 13th century and his chronicles include a description of unbelievable events right after the eruption.

We will read Matthew's text in the context of modern scientific evidence and see just how this story turns out.

For Adults and Teens

Handouts:

Powerpoint Presentation Updated Article

Original Article Michael of York E-Wiki

Email Michael of York

Additional Reading: Tambora: The Eruption That Changed the World, by Gillen D’Arcy Wood (2015, ISBN-13: 978-0691168623)

Bardic Feedback and Roundtable -- Teacher: Éadaoin Ruadh

Saturday 23 January, 2pm - 3pm CST

Track B - 1 hour

If you're interested in expanding your bardic talents, this is the time! Please come prepared with a piece to perform (6 minutes max) for critique and feedback from your fellow bards. Should we run out of performers, we'll delve into general discussion. Topics can be on any concerns or questions or requests from the attendees, or one of the hosts' topics provided.

For Adults and Teens

Expanding Bardic Repertoire Beyond the SCA's European "Mainstream" Roundtable

Panel: THL Maraha Kahanikar, Magistra Fiana of Clare, Ines de Freitas

Saturday 23 January, 2pm - 4pm CST

Track C - 2 hours

Most of the primary Western European cultures are well represented within the bardic repertoire. There are a lot of cultures - minority EU cultures (ie: Ladino, Moorish, Roma), and non EU cultures: Middle Eastern, Asian, Pacific Islanders Indigenous Americas, etc - however, whose songs and stories are mostly neglected. What might be done to address this?

For Adults and Teens

Breton Celts and the Barzaz Breizh -- Teacher: Dorothea de Beckham

Saturday 23 January, 3pm - 4pm CST

Track A - 1 hour

An introduction to Celtic Brittany through the collected songs in the Barzaz Breizh. Class notes will include an overview of several editions and English translations of the Barzaz Breizh, as well as an overview of the change in scholarly opinion on authenticity after the discovery of the collector's notebooks.

For Adults and Teens

Handout:

Breton Celts and the Barzaz Breizh

Gryla - A Research Case Study: Crafting Bardic Originals from Surprising Sources -- Teacher: Lady Nezhka Orshinaia

Saturday 23 January, 3pm - 4pm CST

Track B - 1 hour

This class will use an example of a story about the Icelandic folklore character “Gryla” as a means of taking a beginning look at going beyond basic source material to crafting stories (or perhaps other pieces) in period style. We can have tons of fun with our pieces and base our performances off of cultural history, archaeology, and non-traditional sources. For some people this is a regular practice, but whether you’re just getting started or want a refresher, take a journey through into a wide range of sources with us!

Trigger Warning: the story of Gryla that will be told in this class is a chilling story and has elements of implied killing of children along with other elements of children and parents in distress.

For Adults and Teens

A Very Basic Intro to Composing Germanic Alliterative Verse -- Teacher: Taliesin Wordweaver

Saturday 23 January, 4pm - 5pm CST

Track A - 1 hour

Germanic Alliterative Verse comprises a genre of composition which had many historical variants, but which was uniquely characterized by a) the use of alliteration, b) the use of caesuras, 3) the counting of stressed syllables, and 4) the use of poetic devices called kennings. I will describe and give examples of each of these elements, and some helps hints for composing in modern English.

For All Ages

"Speaking Forsoothly" 101 -- Teacher: Baroness Aurelia of Ashton

Saturday 23 January, 4pm - 5pm CST

Track B - 1 hour

An easy and clear Introduction to simple, basic techniques of adding a period flavor to your speech. [An Intermediate class may be available at another time.]

For Adults and Teens

16th Century Music in the New World: A Blending of Worlds -- Teacher: Teuctli Tenochcacuicatl Delmar (CANCELLED)

Saturday 23 January, 4pm - 5pm CST

Track A - 1 hour

From the start of the Colonial Era in the New Word, European music traditions and instruments began to permeate indigenous culture, both by force and embrace. However, indigenous traditions refused to die down and evidence of pre-Hispanic musical ideas permeated works and influenced compositions by Old World composers. The musical framework laid down by the Spanish and adopted by the native populations creative a cultural tidal wave that is felt to this very day. In this class, we will be examining some of the musical influences of the Old World that began to take root and impact musical traditions in the New Word and vice versa. This will include examining compositions by both European-born and indigenous composers.

For All Ages

Evening Activities

Social Hour

Saturday 23 January, 5pm - 6pm CST

1 hour

Between classes and the evening bardic activities, we take a break for socializing and mealtime!

Journeymen's Showcase Concert -- Hosted by: THL Hilla Stormbringer

Saturday 23 January, 6pm - 8:30pm CST

2.5 hours

This showcase features performances from a selection of wonderful bards whose work deserves a wider audience across the Known World, and is open to performers by nomination. If you would like to nominate someone to perform, please contact Hilla Stormbringer. This is a non-Laurel performance; however, Laurels are gladly encouraged to nominate apprentices, students, wards, or others to participate.

Journeymen's Concert:

Order of Performance

--------------------------------

William of Fairhaven

Lasair inghen ui h'Airt

Agnes Marie de Calais

Éadaoin Ruadh

Dai Gerdwr

Liadan Liathan

Ealawynn Maeru

Ciaran mac Breandain

Hákon Hábrok

Drake Oranwood

Jeane Kilmeny

Siobhán an Einigh of Connacht

Kateryn Draper

Ermagerd

Ursula Mortimer

Nezhka Orshinaia

Alienor Hathaway

Ruqayya

Maraha Kahanikar

Mathias Hakonson

Laila al-Sanna' al-Andalusiyya'

Hilla Stormbringer

Open Bardic -- Hosted by: THL Hilla Stormbringer

Saturday 23 January, 8:30pm - 12am CST

3.5 hours

Open bardic circle! Please note that start time is approximate and will start right after the Journeymen's Showcase Concert.