This program is intended as an acknowledgement and recognition of those people who have put in the work and study to truly embrace the material. These are people who will be able to spread the chants, songs, music and lore among the people. Even though we study and work towards Four Winds' goals as a cooperative, I would like to honor those individuals who have made a personal commitment to these same goals and this craft and lore. Bards.
In general, a Bard in this context would be able to:
Candidates for a Bardic Initiation will complete the following requirements: There are two parts, Basic and Applied Knowledge.
Know fully and well a total of TEN songs or chants. To support the oral tradition:
To create a sonic altar, providing the ability to support ritual and/or ceremony, seven of the the ten songs or chants will be chosen from the following categories:
The choices of songs and chants may include any song, chant or ballad from any source, so long as it may have spiritual application. However, take some care in your choices, as your selections will be relevant to Part Two.
The candidate will choose an area of application to show ability or avocation. In your area of strength, talent or spiritual calling; leverage, extend or apply the material from part one. The possible areas of application listed below are intended as suggestions or possibilities, the list is certainly not exhaustive. These suggested areas areas overlap, they might also be combined. A candidate may propose an area not outlined below to focus, subject to being able to demonstrate or advocate the general merit of the choice and suggest criteria for completion equivalent to those suggested below. Use your imagination, listen to the winds!
Musician. Be able to play your chosen songs on the instrument of your choice. Also show incidental music to create mood and atmosphere.
Drummer. Know and demonstrate appropriate drum patterns for your chosen songs, also know basic rhythms to create various vibrational states. Explain them.
Teacher. Show techniques to teach these and five additional items.
Facilitator/HP/Ritual Design. Create a ritual or ceremony from or around your chosen material. Show outlines for others, for different purposes. Be able to facilitate a ritual or ceremony. May express a specific tradition, however, a significant portion of the material chosen must support that tradition. (If not most!)
Healer. Explain how you would use the songs and chants to support healing arts or rituals. Demonstrate at least one technique.
Storyteller. Be able to tell the lore of the songs and chants in a dramatic and inspirational manner. Or tell supporting or related stories and legends.
Poet. Similar to storyteller, expressed through poetry.
Dancer. Create or demonstrate dance/s to express or support your selections. May be individual or group dances.
Composer. Include two or more original works as part of or in addition to the required ten. The original material should have apparent and acknowledged merit.
Scribe. Show ability to read and write musical notation. Composition not required.
Arranger. Similar and combining the focuses of Scribe and Composer above. Emphasis on scribing material from the cannon with the ability to embellish, transpose, add chords or harmonies to existing simple songs and chants. Or to ability to create new arrangements that enhance or refresh existing material.
Or come up with your own area to explore. The idea is to showcase your strength.
When you think you're ready, we'll arrange for you to present your work before the circle, your peers. Details will be arranged on an individual basis. If all goes well, we will honor your achievement in a ritual, surrounded by your brothers and sisters.