On Competing

Mar 09, 2014 11:07

I competed in Kings and Queen's Bardic Champs yesterday. Like last year my performances were strong enough to get me selected for the final round ( Read more... )

sca, poetry

Leave a comment

Comments 17

bluestocking March 9 2014, 18:39:54 UTC
I have lost every Bardic Competition I have ever competed in. Some I've understood. Some continue to mystify me. Frequently one of the judges will come up to me after the competition and express admiration for my voice, my art, etc. Apparently, I'm very, very good at coming in second.

*hug*

Hang in there. I keep trying to remind myself that whatever the outcome of the competition, I made good art that day.

Reply

dervishspin March 10 2014, 14:25:37 UTC
Making Good Art is an excellent way to think about it.
You are right.

Thank you!

Reply


rufinia March 9 2014, 23:50:05 UTC
I have a small wooden box that contains all of the tokens I've received- mostly for A&S displays and competitions. I call it my "I don't suck" box. It helped a lot as I was developing my confidence.

Reply

dervishspin March 10 2014, 14:26:48 UTC
You know, funny thing, I could not find my little box of I don't suck that night. I had to start another one.

I look forward to the day they reunite and are a big box of I don't Suck.

Reply


katatonic_state March 10 2014, 00:35:01 UTC
What it comes down to, though, is my brand of performance is not what the Royalty feels like they need right now

Having gone through many auditions myself and coaching many performers for their auditions, I can say that this is the hardest thing to swallow. You go in, nail your audition to the wall, and then get nothing or 3rd spear-chucker from the left in the way-back of the chorus which is sometimes worse.

It's really hard to not let your ego get in the way and it's harder to not let it get you down. I know a theatrical or music audition is a little different from your Bardic Competition in some respects. That said, I always try to learn what I can from the auditions that I didn't win -- looking at what I feel I did right and where I could have gone wrong. In the end, though, we have ZERO control over what's going through the decision maker's head. If you don't look the part/aren't what they had in mind/whatever, it doesn't matter how awesome you are, you lose.

That doesn't make you any less awesome, though. :)

Reply

dervishspin March 10 2014, 14:25:00 UTC
Thank you. That is precisely where I am.
And of course you understand!
I am glad you posted.

Reply


(The comment has been removed)

dervishspin March 10 2014, 14:23:57 UTC
:) I am glad you intend to perform more often.
I think we should go cause some bardic trouble together.

Reply


maebeth March 10 2014, 02:12:46 UTC
I haven't competed so much, but I perform every week and always feel it. The nailing it. And the not winning. When they are the same week its just hard.

(This week I nailed it, and one of the compliments was "I heard every word". Yeah. I hate that.)

Reply

dervishspin March 10 2014, 14:22:51 UTC
Having everyone hear you is certainly part of the nailing it. In the SCA we have to deal with messed up acoustics everywhere we go, and speaking in court and making sure you are heard in the back is of major concern for everyone.

Being heard is awesome.
I agree though, there is being heard: loud and there is being heard: listened to. Perhaps that person meant both.

Reply


Leave a comment

Up