Well, not actually a lark -- more a boobrie.

At the salon/soiree after Saturday evening's Arthe Dale concert, the topic discussed revolved around "unexpected" or "found" music. Why do we perceived something as musical -- wind in the leaves, for instance -- has no sentient hand to fashion it, yet we still hear it as song.

Why? What makes a random noise music, whether one of Nature's noises or the clank and rattle of people as they go about their business.

Rawb described a street band who used their shoes and the change in their pockets to make music... the slap of soles upon the pavement, scrapes, taps and jingles (at least til he stole all their coins!). That is unexpected music of another kind.

Intrigued by the expression of musical non-music, Lady Lindryl declared her latest commission would be a song to express an encounter with or description of that which becomes music through our interpretation of sound.

Additional discussion followed, and it became generally clear that this is going to be a difficult topic to define. At that point a suggestion was made to represent the unexpected by assigning the song to be about a honking goose, loose change, and the wind. Until someone squeezed the goose to produce the wind. (All bards want bagpipes.) Further meanderings by the group, drunken philosophers all, proposed using an "unexpected boobrie" as allegory for our musical musings.

However, upon further reflection, sunlight and sobriety... this scribe has been commanded to announce that the song commission (we hesitate to use "quest" since we doubt use of that word would induce the gratifying consternation it did upon its first usage and therefore less amusing)...

is indeed a song referencing "unexpected music". No, you needed use that phrase in the song. What you do need to do is convey the idea of music found in the unexpected and recognition of that surprised sound as song.

The commission is due at the next salon, which will be held after the next Arthe Dale Concert, usually at 2-week intervals. As usual, the Half-Pint Inn will host the after-concert party.

Besides the gratification of winning, the winning purse for the evening will be:

1st place -- 30 plat kronar
2nd place -- 20 plat kronar
3rd place -- 10 plat kronar

(Yes, the prize purse has been increased with her Ladyship's realization that one cannot purchase a decent gown and accessories anymore for less than 20 plat and frequently a bit more).

All are welcome to enter, guilded bard and amateur. Judging is done by Lady Lindryl and whatever celestial voices that good woman may hear in her head -- however, hearing voices or not, her decisions are final.

Lastly, please remember that for entries such as these, while the songs may have elements of bawdiness, to be eligible to win songs must be clean enough that the singer would not become ensnared by those who police the lewdness level of our land. If you think it may be over the top -- it probably is.

Posted by Scribe Meriel,
as commanded by Lady Lindryl

This message was originally posted in The Bards, Bard-Related Events. To discuss the above follow the link below.

http://www.play.net/forums/messages.asp?forum=20&category=15&topic=10&message=2111