Bard Skills – seasonal material

There’s much to be said for having material that covers the seasons and the festivals, allowing you to express where you are in the year. The folk tradition has a lot to offer – but not, it should be noted, much specifically for the equinoxes.

There are however a number of issues with learning seasonal material, so it’s worth being aware of those before you embark on your journey.

In any given year you may only get a couple of opportunities to perform a piece. Learning something, and keeping it in your head for the long term with so few performance opportunities is a lot of work for a modest result.
People may well remember what you did at the midwinter gathering last year, one song for each festival might not be enough.
Everyone, absolutely everyone does or knows John Barleycorn. Find something else for Lammas if you want to stand out.
If you want to impress, you have to practice ahead of performance so you need to be rehearsing for material ahead of where you are in the year.
The vast majority of Paganised Christmas carols sound naff.
Have fun with it! If you aren’t enjoying it, no one else is likely to either.