The Bards' Guild - Be A Bard

Be A Bard

INTRODUCTION TO THE BARDS GUILD

In the lands there are many creative exiles who enjoy making music to share with others. Many of these exiles belong to the Bards Guild. Guild membership includes Bard Questers, Bards, and Bard Masters.

Bard Questers: These are exiles who have passed one audition. They have composed music and played it for a panel of bards during one of our scheduled auditions. Questers must search for the right parts for an instrument. That is their quest, along with writing music. Questers who get an instrument made may play their instrument within the bounds of the Bard Guild area, found in the North Field.
Bards: These are exiles who have passed two auditions. The first is the quester audition, the second is the full bard audition. Bards are able to play music throughout the lands. They may participate in auditions by being on the voting panel. Bards are also invited to run for a seat on the Bard Council.
Bard Masters: A bard master is a bard chosen to help lead the guild. Their role in the guild is to hold auditions and help the guild grow and change with forethought. One must not expect to become a master. Masters are appointed by the existing leaders of the guild; it is not a rank that can be automatically attained, such as the circles found in the healer or fighter guilds.

Within the Bards' Guild, there is a Bard Council which is made up of representatives from the entire membership of the guild. The role of the Council is to discuss and resolve issues pertinent to the Guild.

HOW TO BE A BARD

Download a copy of the Clan Lord Tune Helper. You may follow the link in the Downloads section. To be a bard you must compose music. Be sure to write something that is your own. Remember to write music that would fit into the world of Clan Lord.
Audition for a panel of bards during a scheduled audition. Check the News section to find out when the next audition is.
If you pass your audition, you will be accepted as a Bard Quester. You will have to find the parts for your instrument. Hendrux in the Bard's Guild building will help you put your instrument together. Please note that his may take a long time to accomplish, as Hendrux is very picky about materials given to him.
After your instrument is finished, you will have to audition again before a panel of Bards and Bard Masters to become a Bard. See the News section to find when the next audition is.
All members of the guild must adhere to a simple set of regulations (see the Guild Regulations section for details). Disobeying these regulations may result in suspension from the guild (thus losing the ability to play any instrument).

AUDITIONS

The guild seeks hopefuls who know the general concepts that guide melody and rhythm. If a hopeful desires to play an instrument capable of chords, then a demonstration of proper chord use is also expected. Hopefuls are encouraged to seek out Bard Masters or Bards to discuss music and composition before auditioning for the guild.

Those who audition are not examined for their musical ability alone. The guild is particular about the type of exile that will be admitted to its membership. An exile who demonstrates modest talent, respect for his or her fellow exile, and respect for the guild is a highly prized bard hopeful.

Auditions are scheduled and organized by Bard Masters. Those who audition play in front of a panel of Bards. After all hopefuls have auditioned, the Bards retire to the Bard Tower and spend time in discussion and voting. Then the panel returns and speaks to each hopeful privately in Hendrux's hut.

QUESTER AUDITIONS

Here are the requirements for those auditioning for questership:

Compose a minimum of three songs of distinct style and flavor (a limit of four to be played unless stated otherwise by those conducting the audition).
All compositions played should be your original work. They should not be written by someone else.
Your compositions should be for one (1) instrument. You may not play a song on a wind instrument, then switch to a string instrument for the second song during Quester auditions.
Your music should be written for a solo performance. Duets and trios are inappropriate for quester auditions.
Your music should demonstrate an understanding of melody, rhythm and tonality.
Your compositions should take advantage of or consider the uniqueness of the instrument played (example: music for a stringed instruments should include chords).
Your compositions should tell a story, convey a mood, and create a texture.
You should be a person of good character and presentation.
When selecting an instrument to write music for, keep in mind that the following instruments are available within the lands:
- Bone flute
- Gitor
- Ocarina
- Reed flute
- Starbuck harp
- Bagpipe
- Casserole
- Conch
- Lucky Lyra
- Torjo
- Tuborn
- Vibra
- Violène
- Xylo
- Pine Flute
While it is true that Orga Drums are available, the Guild feels that this is not an appropriate instrument to audition with. Please select one (1) instrument from the above list to audition with.

A quester hopeful will audition before a panel of bards that includes a master or a bard entrusted by a master to hold the audition. Quester hopefuls will be lent an instrument by a bard. This instrument will return to the hands of the bard when the hopeful leaves the bard field. The master or bard holding the audition will help you with the technical aspects of playing the instrument, if need be.

FULL BARD AUDITIONS

In addition to the quester requirements, those questers wishing to audition for full bardship should have:

No less than four original compositions (a limit of six to be played). These songs must be different from the songs used in your Quester audition.
At least one completed instrument.
Knowledge on how to use your instrument.
Those Bards that own more than one instrument may freely switch instruments between performances. This is entirely optional at the performing Bard's discretion.

Full bard hopefuls must have a completed instrument to audition. A panel of bards and at least one bard master will be present. If the hopeful has more than one instrument, they are welcome to use any or all of them! Hopefuls are expected to have practiced their audition beforehand so that there will be no delays due to fumbling with your instrument or sheet music.