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
- 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
- The other team must perform one additional piece to win the point (if the round is tied)
- 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!
- Each team comes up with a list of themes they would like to challenge the other team to
- 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!
- Each participant can only “lead” 2 pieces per challenge
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
- Examples:
- Themes cannot be ‘adult’
- Themes must be specific, not overly broad, but not so specific to require ONE specific song
- 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)