Judging a Bardic Competition

There are many ways to judge a bardic competition. Some of them are better than others, and nearly all have their time and place. The following is a very formal way to rate a set of performances. Its main advantage is that it provides examples for its ratings, so that (hopefully) a '5' means the same thing to one judge as to another. Its main drawback is that it requires a piece of paper per performer per judge, as well as extra time to tally all the scores.

Technical Ability

1	No voice control/instrumental skill at all.
2
3	There was some evidence of technique, but this piece needs a lot more practice.
4
5	This piece was practiced; a few notes/words were out of sorts, but it was overall well done, and there was some style to it.
6
7	Solid performance piece. I didn't hear any mistakes at all, and there was a good deal of style.
8
9
10	Technically perfect! Every note/word in place, evidence of lots of practice and a well-developed style. I would consider taking lessons from this person.

Emotional Projection

1	There was no emotional projection in the piece
2
3	I realized the bard was trying to evoke an emotional response, but the attempt failed
4
5	I chuckled/got a little misty/felt my pulse go up a bit
6
7	I guffawed/sniffled/stomped my feet
8
9
10	I collapsed in laughter/burst into tears/sprang to my feet and roared with my fist in the air

Audience Interest

1	I stopped listening after the first 30 seconds
2
3	It wasn't painful to hear, but I'd rather have been chatting with another judge instead
4
5	I listened politely and was fairly interested in hearing the rest of the piece
6
7	I would shush my friends up to hear this performer better
8
9
10	I was utterly absorbed in the piece and would make efforts to hear it again/get the words or tune.

Medieval Atmosphere

1	Not at all. The performer did something blatantly and unredeemably modern.
2
3	Not very well. There were some really obvious anachronisms in the piece that even a new person would recognize.
4
5	Fairly well. Nothing was glaringly out-of-period, as far as the average Scadian could tell. (Author's Note: I realize 'Average Scadian' is vague.)
6
7	Really well. I felt like I was hearing something that helped create a medieval atmosphere.
8
9
10	Extraordinarily well. I could close my eyes and envision myself listening to a performer of the period.

Overall Impression

1	Not at all.
2
3	It had its moments, but needs some serious practice.
4
5	Yeah, that was pretty good. I'd probably like to hear is again sometime.
6
7	Hey! That was really good! I'd like this performer to do that at feast again.
8
9
10	Wow! Does this performer have a CD or other recording of their recitation/song/music? Can I buy it to listen to over and over?

Authenticity

Yes	X points (Importance of authenticity to competition determines size of X)
No	0 points

Time

Yes	0 points
No	-Y points (Importance of time requirement to competition determines the size of Y)

If this doesn't suit your needs, you might try The Most Efficient and Informal Bardic Competition.

Return to the Bardic Resources Page.