Kingdom of Gleann Abhann

Bardic College
Mission: To encourage the Bardic arts in Gleann Abhann by providing instruction and encouragement to
bards and would be bards throughout the Kingdom through a performance-oriented curriculum.

Enrollment: Is open to any of the Populace of Gleann Abhann wishing to enhance their Bardic skills and
knowledge. To be considered a student of the College of Bards, an individual must be enrolled in the
Royal University of Gleann Abhann (RUGA). Those individuals living outside the borders of the Kingdom
may petition the College of Bards for inclusion in the program.

Credits: Will be amassed through the successful completion of the curriculum’s proscribed classes and
practicum. Transfer credit from out of Kingdom classes will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Miscellaneous:
• At a minimum, each credited class should be at least one hour in duration. Additional time may
be required to adequately cover a given topic.
• Classes will be delivered within the context of the instructor’s expertise, and the title may not
directly relate to a class listed in the curriculum. i.e. A class instructing the student in the
fundamentals of playing the recorder would count the Introduction to Wind Instruments. In the
same perspective, a class on Advanced Middle Eastern Drumming Techniques would count
towards as an Advance Percussion Instruments class.
• A RUGA approved research and documentation class focused on the designing and building a
castle or a Mongolian ger would count towards the required research and documentation class.
The Bardic student will need to apply the research and documentation to Bardic topics of interest
in completing the curriculum.
• In order to receive credit for courses completed outside the College of Bards, the student will need
to provide a copy of the class handout(s), class notes, and the instructor’s contact information.
Upon receipt, the Dean of the College of Bards will review the class, contact the instructor if
clarification is required, and inform students if the College will accept the class for credit.
• Sign off sheets will be maintained by each student for an instructor’s signature for successfully
completing a class or a witness’ signature for successfully completing a practicum.
• A student may not be considered to hold a rank of a particular level within the College of Bards
until all credits for the lower levels have been successfully completed and recorded. This is not to
imply that a student should not take classes at a higher level if available and the lower level
equivalents have been completed at an earlier date.

Program of Instruction

Level One - Bard:

• Required classes:
o Role of the Bard in the Current Middle Ages
o History of Gleann Abhann
o Courtly Love
o Honor & Courtesy in the SCA
• Three classes from the following list:
o Introduction to Vocal Performance
o Introduction to Storytelling
o Introduction to Poetic Performance
o Introduction to Wind Instruments
o Introduction to Percussion Instruments
o Introduction to String Instruments
 • Practicum:
o Perform at a Bardic Circle
o Perform as a Wandering Bard

Level Two – Tamhan

• Required classes:
o Research and Documentation
o Organizing and Leading a Bardic Circle
o Producing an Original Work
• Three classes from the following list:
o Intermediate Vocal Performance
o Intermediate Storytelling
o Intermediate Poetic Performance
o Intermediate Wind Instruments
o Intermediate Percussion Instruments
o Intermediate String Instruments
• Practicum:
o Organize and Lead a Bardic Circle
o Perform for the High Table and/or Hall at a Feast
o Compete for Kingdom Bard
o Perform an Original Work at a Kingdom A&S with Documentation

Level Three – Anruth

• Required classes:
o Composing Original Works
o Analysis of a Period Work
o Analysis of a Current Middle Ages Work
• Three classes from the following list:
o Advanced Vocal Performance
o Advanced Storytelling
o Advanced Poetic Performance
o Advanced Wind Instruments
o Advanced Percussion Instruments
o Advanced String Instruments
• Practicum:
o Perform at an out of Kingdom event
o Perform at an Inter-Kingdom event
o Compete for Kingdom Bard – 2
o Perform an Original Work at a Kingdom A&S with Documentation

Level Four – Filidh

• Teach 5 Bardic Arts Classes – Classes must be from the College of Bards curriculum
• Submit a detailed research paper within the guidelines of the Kingdom A&S rules and perform an
original work at a Kingdom A&S

Upon completion of Level IV, students may then petition the Dean of GABC to Graduate. Upon approval,
the graduate then must perform their Graduation Piece to the Dean and a selected group of their piers.
Your Graduation Piece must be documented, one you have not performed before, and you must state that
this piece is indeed for your graduation to the title of Ollamh.

Note: The titles for the various levels within the College of Bards are based upon titles of the Bardic
traditions of the Celts.