minstrel: What to do?

[Mike C. Baker]

> I have been "lurking" with much interest lately. There are so many
> talented and productive musicians on this list! I am in awe!

While recent discussions have been primarily music-related,
remember that there are poets and story-tellers who particpate
in this forum as well.  Plus those who have multiple interests 
and are always developing others...
 
> My background has been in Renaissance and Medieval music, which I have
> been playing for over 25 years. I have directed consorts, have studied
> the periods for many years both on my own and through graduate-level
> college classes, and have helped spread the love of this music.

"We're not worthy, we're not worthy": most of the participants on this list
I believe to be amateurs with nowhere near your experience or credentials.
We try, and of course can be very trying at times. 

> However, as I read your posts, it seems that most of the projects that
> people pursue tend to be more heavily oriented toward scholarly research
> than toward developing the dissemination and production of the music
> itself. In other words, I have seen little discussion of how to actually
> play the music in period style (which does require knowledge of the
> history of the music and the peoples).

Furthest thing from the truth, IMNSHO.  I'm here to learn, to improve,
and to take that knowledge back into the field as both bard and Bard
(SCA and eclectic quasi-religious expression). I _want_ to compose 
in more authentic styles, but I will not stop creating filk to "modern"
tunes as well.  And, some of those modern tunes are really more
ancient than is immediately apparent even to some of us who
have been studying only off and on.
 
> So, I guess what I am asking is this: Is scholarly research the way to
> contribute to the dream and, thereby, advance in rank? I am not a
> fighter and my husband is not a member, so I can't advance through
> winning in combat. Besides, I wish to advance through my own merit, not
> that of my spouse, or anyone who might fight for me.

Recommendation: do what you want to do, know how to do, LIKE to do -- 
without expectation or active search for rank.  Recognition will come if
you 
are indeed contributing to "the Dream", and some of the best will no doubt
be in forms other than rank or material reward.  

At least here in Ansteorra, we've only recently been making a major foray
into organized group music beyond the local group level. However, that is 
still the place to start -- with a group of dedicated people who can meet 
regularly, and that generally implies building interest in your local
branch.

As to your husband not being a member, as you become more familiar
with the SCA keep your eyes out for opportunities he might appreciate
on an occasional basis.  Idaho, you say? I understand that if nothing else
there is some excellent research and presentation being done in the field
of _cooking_ up that way.  I know few people who don't enjoy good food...

<SNIP>
> "re-inventing the wheel" by researching things that have already been
> discovered does not add to our knowledge base in the SCA.

Ah, but has that material been presented in a form that we in the SCA 
can or will use?
 
> I like to research, and I like to write. So, it's not that I am just
> dragging my feet. I really don't know what I can do. Is it possible to
> advance through encouraging and educating the gentles in my area about
> the music?

Absolutely! It is also immediately possible that you will make friends and
influence people who will ultimately be far more important to your 
enjoyment of the Society and life beyond the immediate Dream you
may experience.
 
> Can anyone explain to me how this works? Any ideas of what I might enter
> into competition? As you might guess, I am fairly new in the SCA.

Your own performances are the easiest to enter into competition.  However,
I strongly encourage you to look beyond competition and into the field of
general entertainment.  Minstrels and bards in the SCA often have been 
criticized when they choose to perform only for other bards and musicians.
Join the rush, avoid the "problem" by performing and teaching wherever and
whenever you can, m'lady.

> Thanks, in advance, for any ideas you can share!

HTH. HAND!

Mike C. Baker
SCA: Amr ibn Majid al-Bakri al-Amra 
(ranked among the al-Sayyid by the hand of Kein I, Ansteorra)
"Other": Kihe Blackeagle (the Dreamsinger Bard)
My opinions are my own -- who else would want them?
e-mail: kihe at ticnet.com OR kihe at rocketmail.com



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