Gulf Wars Bardic War Point: The Bard Off

The Bard-off is a competition between the two alliances where each alliance of bards “challenges” each other to perform pieces from memory within a given theme. The team that knows the most pieces that match the theme wins the point. Visit bardic.fun for more info 

  • Time: Monday from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Teams will begin forming at 4:30 PM to ensure a prompt start time
    • Late arrivals will be allowed to participate as long as teams remain even
  • Each alliance (Ansteorra/Trimaris) has a team of bards led by a Kingdom bard (or their representative)
    • Team size must be the same, but no limit
    • Group sing / harmonization / instruments welcome and encouraged
    • Anyone who shows up can participate
      • If one team is lopsided, volunteers will be taken to switch sides
  • Who decides if the piece is on theme?
    • There will be a moderator from each alliance to determine if a song did/did not match the theme
  • Process:
    • Each team comes up with a list of themes they would like to challenge the other team to
      • The moderators approve the themes
      • Teams can also pick themes off a list provided by staff
    • Each round consists of 2 challenges:
      • Each team will issue their challenge to the other team
      • Teams gets 2 minutes to plan their strategy (who knows what pieces, etc)
      • A coin flip determines which team’s challenge goes first
        • Subsequent rounds will alternate
      • Each team must begin their performance within 15 seconds of the previous team
      • When one team is unable to perform a piece to meet the theme within 15 seconds, either:
        • The other team must perform one additional piece to win the point (if the round is tied)
          • The round is tied if both teams have performed an equal number of pieces
        • OR The team who last performed wins the round
          • The last performing team have already performed 1 more song than the team who cannot meet the theme
        • If a tiebreaker piece cannot performed, no points are issued
    • Play continues in rounds of 2 theme challenges until moderators call for the final challenge (approximately 45 minutes)
      • Depending on how long rounds take, we may have time for 1 round or 4 before the finals 
    • The final challenge will be drawn from a hat from the staff provided list
    • The team with the most points win!
  • Rules for each challenge:
    • Each participant can only “lead” 2 pieces per challenge
      • These pieces may not be in a row (share the stage)
      • You may sing along with unlimited number of pieces
    • Pieces in foreign languages are allowed, however:
      • Only 2 foreign language pieces per challenge
      • You must provide a ‘loose’ translation of the piece
    • No repeats for the entirety of the competition
      • Once a piece has been performed, it’s out for the rest of the competition!

Q&A

  • What is a “piece”?
    • Any song, poem, monologue, etc that fits the theme
    • Minimum of 1 verse and 1 chorus or 30 seconds
    • Maximum of 2 minute
      • You don’t get extra points for more length
    • The section of the piece you perform MUST be about the theme
  • What if the moderators decide my piece isn’t on theme?
    • If the piece does not count, the same team must perform again or lose the point
  • Are bard books allowed?
    • All pieces must be memorized, as this is a fast-paced competition.
    • We only require a verse and a chorus / 30 seconds in order to allow for those who have trouble memorizing an entire piece, and backup singers in the group can help sing along!
  • What are the rules for the themes?
    • Themes must be specific, not overly broad, but not so specific to require ONE specific song
      • Examples:
        • “Love songs” is too broad
        • “Love songs about a woman riding a horse in a meadow encountering knights” is too specific
        • Unrequited love” or “Period love songs about loving a man” are good!
        • “War song” is too broad
        • “War song about Ansteorrans being the best shield brothers and standing together” is too specific
        • “War songs about people who are NOT fighters” or “War songs about women” are good
    • Themes cannot be ‘adult’
  • Can youth participate?
    • While this is not a youth activity, youth may participate on the teams. Gulf Wars guidance on youth must be followed (guardian present for appropriate ages)