[MR] Running bardic circles

[Gerita della Mara]

As one SCAdian who is a serious patron of the Bardic Arts (all of them), 
but wouldn't perform to save my own soul, I must agree that forcing a 
performance is a bit harsh and would definitely drive me out of one of 
my favorite activities at events...that of listening with great pleasure 
to the performances of those who enjoy doing that.   I do have to draw 
the line at people who sit in a Bardic Circle (or the sometimes slightly 
differently arranged audience section) and talk.  Really, folks!  Would 
you do that in a concert hall?  In a meeting?  While Bards are 'of us', 
our friends, they are also performers putting something of themselves 
out there for others' enjoyment and at some level, approval.  To talk so 
that they cannot be heard within the circle is really rude.

And to that end, I would beg those Autocratting events at which Bardic 
Competitions are part of the activities to consider the real, actual 
needs of Bards in such a situation.  In order for judges to properly 
appreciate each entrant's work, there needs to be some kind of 
separation from the hubub of the rest of the event.  Not a whole lot, 
because audiences are important to performers, but enough that the 
judges can actually hear the entry.  Please.

Gerita One Note