Siri Toivosdotter

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Siri playing the recorder
Information
Status:Current Member
Pronouns:{{{pronouns}}}
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Resides:
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Heraldry

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Contents

Introduction to SCA

Vendor’s assistant, Dragonskin Leatherworks 2005 Apprentice to Mistress Arianna of Wynthrop, AEthelmarc, Pennsic 43 (2014-16) Protégé to Baron Maximilian der Zauberer, Northwoods, Pennsic 44 (2015-present) First event attended Barony of Roaring Wastes Wassail, November 2010 Paid member a few months later

Persona

My name is Siri Toivosdotter. I was born in Turku, Finland in 1570 into a family of merchants. My father, Toivo Nikula is Swedish but emigrated to Finland during the Seven Year War between Sweden and Denmark for my safety. My mother died when I was small. Father was able to keep us comfortably secure financially because he maintained an honest business, or so he said. I suspect that he was helping both sides with smuggling arms, but that is merely a suspicion. As a small child, I remember hearing stories of how the Swedish King Eric died prematurely and the rumors are that he was poisoned. When his half brother Johan took the throne, the unification of Finland and Sweden made it easier for my father to trade. He permitted me to accompany him on a few of his journeys, but he always remembered to bring me presents when I could not: relics from the past and from the Orient. I have some jewelry handed down to me from generations past which are treasured keepsakes.

My family was Catholic long ago, but became Lutheran when King Gustav established Church of Sweden. There really is not much of a difference between the Catholic and Lutheran churches. The Catholics maintain a church not very far from mine. Always the curious youth, I ventured into the Catholic church and noted its similarities to mine, although the image of Jesus was on the crucifix. I heard the most glorious music there, similar to my own church. Father brought me some instruments from England and always encouraged me to practice as well as teach others. Because I am a girl, I am not allowed to perform for the church service and must content myself with listening, although I have my own copy of the Cathedral school master’s new book of songs. My father once told me that if I became a nun, I could sing to my heart’s content, but the look in his eyes told me that he does not want me to part company with him. I dream of attending university in Uppsala, which is not a great distance, to be honest. But I am a girl.

Offices & Positions

  • MOAS Roaring Wastes May 2013-December 2014
  • Deputy Seneschal October 2014-December 2014
  • Seneschal Roaring Wastes January 2014-2015
  • Secretary to Seneschal Canton Brackendelve January-July 2016
  • MOAS North Woods Fall 2021-present

Event Steward

  • Run for the Life, the Saxons are Coming (at my home) 2013 & 2014, in conjunction with Tyger Hunt at Detroit Fort Wayne 2015, my home 2016
  • A&S 50/Pentamere Regional A&S Faire April 2015
  • Golden Seamstress 2016
  • Music Director for Pentamere Twelfth Night 2016, 2017, 2018
  • Dance Band Leader Terpsichore at the Tower 2018
  • Val Day Dance Band Leader 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
  • Terpsichore at the Tower, Dance band leader 2018
  • Cynnabar Ruby Jubilee 2018 Dance Band Leader
  • It Takes My Child to Raze a Village 2019
  • It Takes My Child to Raze a Virtual Village 2021


The Roaring Wastrels

  • Joined the group December 2010, first performance Roaring Wastes Wassail 2011
  • 2012 Golden Seamstress, Battle of the Inland Seas, Baron Wars, RW Wassail
  • 2013 Twelfth Night, numerous Demos, Val Day Dancing, Golden Seamstress, Terpsichore at the Tower, BOTIS, Border War, Baron Wars, Pennsic Baronial Court
  • 2014 Twelfth Night (Introduction of the Penta Pentamere Dances), Val Day, Northwoods Community College, various Demos, St. Cecilia at the Tower (Master Class and Evening Concert), Terpsichore, Golden Seamstress, BOTIS, Border War, Baron Wars, Pennsic Baronial Court, Procrastinators, Crown Tournament, RW Wassail
  • 2015 Twelfth Night (Court and Dancing), Val Day, Clancy Day, It Takes My Child to Raze a Village (Court and Dancing), Terpsichore, Coronation of Ragnvaldr III and Arabella III (also played for numerous courts as ambient music during their reign), A&S 50/Pentamere Regional A&S Faire , BOTIS, Seige on Talonval, Border War, Tyger Hunt/Run For Your Life the Saxons are Coming, Pennsic 44 State Dinner, Pennsic Midrealm Court, Tournament of the Roses, Coronation of Nicolai and Serena, RW Wassail
  • 2016 Pentamere Twelfth Night dancing and feast, composed and performed a song for HRM Serena, taught Choral Ball class, provided music for feast, Choral Ball class at Terpsichore, performed for evening Ball, It Takes My Child to Raze a Village (Court and Dancing).
  • 2017 Pentamere Twelfth Night Choral Ball music, Val Day Dance Band, It Takes My Child to Raze a Village Recorder class and Court, St Cecilia at the Tower (Recorder Jam) and performed with Psallite, Tyger Hunt, Pennsic Midrealm Court, RW Wassail, Hawkland Moor Wassail. Performed with Psallite at their annual Pennsic concert.
  • 2018 Pentamere/Kingdom 12th Night (Baroness Concert and Caroling, performed duet, harp trio, and with Psallite), Val Day, ITMCTRAV dancing, Clancy Day ambient music during the day, Feast music; Terpsichore at the Tower Dance Band Leader, BOTIS dance class and Court, Pennsic 47: Choral Ball and Early Bird Ball; Grand Tour of the 13 c. played 13th c. music all day and during Feast; created new Christmas Carol songbook for Roaring Wastes Wassail and Hawkland Moor Wassail, North Woods Cranbrook Demo; created an all-day concert with music of the time of da Vinci.
  • 2019 Pentamere Twelfth Night Baroness Concert, Val Day Ball, Terpsichore XXV Dance Band member, Clancy Day Feast, BOTIS, Tyger Hunt

Dance Band Leader

  • Twelfth Night 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
  • Val Day 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
  • Open Pit, SCA Dance History Ball Pennsic 43 2014
  • Open Pit Pennsic 44 2015
  • Open Pit, SCA Dance History Ball Pennsic 45 2016
  • Early Bird Ball Pennsic 46 2017, Pennsic 47 2018, Pennsic 48 2019
  • Choral Ball Pennsic 45 2016, Pennsic 46 2017, Pennsic 47 2018, Pennsic 48 2019
  • Terpsichore at the Tower 2018

Pentamere Harp Choir

Created all arrangements for the Ensemble

  • 2019: It Takes My Child to Raze a Village, St. Cecelia at the Tower, Tyger Hunt

Classes Taught

  • Beginning Recorders at It Takes My Child to Raze a Village (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)
  • Beginning Recorder Track class 3 St. Cecilia at the Tower 2014
  • Period Christmas Music Pennsic 42, 43, 44, 45; Winter’s End 2014, St. Cecilia at the Tower 2015
  • Period Christmas Music class 2 (Blessed Virgin Mary music) St. Cecilia at the Tower, 2016
  • Beginning Adult Recorder class, Battle of the Inland Seas 2016
  • Developed the Known World Recorder Ensemble Pennsic 45 (2016), Pennsic 46 (2017), Pennsic 47 (2018) Pennsic 48 (2019)
  • Created the Choral Ball Pennsic 45 (2016), Choral Ball II Pennsic 46 (2017) CB III Pennsic 47 (2018)
  • Recorder Jam! Pennsic 45 (2016), St. Cecelia at the Tower 2017
  • Recorder Jam with Siri Pennsic 46 (2017), St. Cecelia at the Tower 2018,
  • Recorder Jam with Siri Part 1 and Part 2 Pennsic 47 2018, Pennsic 48 2019
  • Cook like a Saxon! ITMCTRAV X 2018
  • Recorder Jam with Siri Part 1 and 2, Sight Reading class called “Hey. Play this. Now,” Choral Ball rehearsal Pennsic 47 2018, Pennsic 48 2019
  • Playing Unbarred Music (Morley Canzonets) and Sight Reading classes St. Cecilia at the Tower 2018
  • Make a leather stamped pendant Tyger Hunt 2018, 2019
  • Singing and Playing Unbarred Music at St. Cecelia at the Tower 2019, Pennsic 48 (2019)
  • Pentamere Harp Ensemble at St. Cecelia at the Tower 2019
  • Here. Play This. Now. Pennsic 48 2019


Awards/Honors

  • Award of Arms Twelfth Night 2013
  • Legio Draconis Service to House Darkyard (Pennsic War Points for Archery, two years) 2012
  • Companion of the Order of the Willow (Given to those who show proficiency, but not yet mastery, in one or more of the arts) Val Day 2014
  • North Woods Wolf Pack ITMCTRAV 2014 (Roaring Wastrels) For service to the event in the form of playing music for Court and Dance classes.
  • Cupbearer Award RW Wassail 2014, was given the task of putting to rest the border dispute between Cynnabar and Roaring Wastes which had been ongoing for 20 years. “The Barony's highest award, recognizing lives that have been dedicated to growing the Barony, the Kingdom and the SCA, and holding those who receive it in the greatest honor for their success and impact. May be awarded once. The award consists of a cup of any form, given in recognition that the person or people are held in such trust that the Baron and Baroness would accept without testing a cup from their hands, knowing that they would never poison the Barony. Cupbearers may assert their right to serve at Baronial events at the head table, should there be one, though these individuals are held in such high esteem that it is more likely they should be served.
  • Award of the Grove given to Roaring Wastrels, Rose Tourney 2015 -Given to groups who have shown proficiency in the arts and/or sciences or exemplary service in furthering such field.
  • It Takes My Child to Raze a Village Adult A&S Champion 2016 - Submitted 42 Choral Ball arrangements
  • Arts and Sciences Champion, Barony of North Woods Tyger Hunt 2017.
  • Award of the Purple Fret given at Tyger Hunt 2017 for serving in many ways, especially as a musician and as a seamstress.
  • Order of the Evergreen ITMCTRAV 2018 Given to those who have both taught and shown excellence in one or more of the arts, sciences or research. Companions of the order may place the initials CE after their names.
  • Order of the Dragon’s Heart. Given to those who have performed services on behalf of the Kingdom above and beyond that normally expected. Val Day 2020. Companions of the order may place CDH after their names.
  • Premiere Recipient of Cailin’s Golden Trope, Barony of North Woods, 2020 From the Barony's website: In the most simple terms, a music Trope is a musical or lyrical addition or substitution. Lord Cailin was most certainly an addition. In his memory, it is with great sadness of heart but joy in the doing, that we present Lord Cailin’s Golden Trope Award for contributions, accomplishments, and inspiration in music.

Promoting the Arts and Sciences

  • Singer/Alto (or Soprano) Section Leader Known World Choir Pennsic 41, 43, 44, 45, 48, 49
  • Director of the Known World Choir Pennsic 42 and 46 (2013, 2017)
  • Dance Band Leader for the SCA Dance History Ball Pennsic 43 (2014) and Pennsic 45 (2016)
  • Dance Band Leader and participant Pennsic 44 (2015), Pennsic 45 (2017), Pennsic 46 (2017) Pennsic 47 (2018), Pennsic 48 (2919)
  • Singer with Chorulus Pennsicus (select choir) Pennsic 43, 44 and 47
  • Creator of the Known World Recorder Ensemble Pennsic 45 (2016), Pennsic 46 (2017) Pennsic 47 (2018).
  • Continue to give away Recorders, Recorder cases (handmade) and methods books
  • Creating and Developing Choral Ball (all dances will be sung) for Pennsic 45, 46, 47
  • Developing Period Christmas Music class 2, 3 and 4 (taught #3 at St. Cecilia at the Tower 2016)
  • Creator of the Known World Youth Orchestra, Kasha will facilitate and seek out a Director (still pending).
  • North Woods A&S Champion Tyger Hunt 2017
  • Choir Deputy to the Pennsic Dean of Performing Arts, Pennsic 46, 47, 48, 49
  • Dance Band leader for Early Bird Ball Pennsic 46 (2017), 47 (2018), 48 (2019)
  • Created a Yule/Christmas Music songbook for use at RW Wassail 2017, Hawkland Moor Wassail 2017 and Pentamere (Kingdom) 12th Night 2018
  • Dance Band Leader Terpsichore at the Tower 2018
  • Teacher St. Cecilia at the Tower 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
  • Dance Band leader for Val Day Ball 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
  • A&S Coordinator for Battle of the Inland Seas 25th Anniversary 2019
  • North Woods A&S Champion 2019, 2020
  • Panel member online class SCA Music as Service (2021)
  • Director of Chorulus Pennsicus (select Pennsic adult Choir) Pennsic 49 (2022)

Notes from her CV: When I say that I serve as Music Director of an event or Dance Band Leader, a considerable amount of work goes into the execution of the event. As Music Director for Twelfth Night, performances need to be contacted and scheduled (their schedules worked around other obligations they may have like meetings, etc.), music selected, practices held. Dance classes are held and played for, Feast performance music disbursed, rehearsed and performed. As Dance Band Leader, I work with the Dance Master/Mistress to select dances, locate arrangements, create musical arrangements where there are none, re-score unreadable/inaccessible scores (not enough lines for various instruments to play), compile scores in the order of the Dance sets, put them in a zipped folder of pdfs, post them in the Roaring Wastrels Facebook group, on other web sites where musicians can download for practice/performance, or email the folder to those who need them sent in that fashion. I bring physical copies of the music for those who are unable to procure them (the reason matters not). Sometimes extra practices are held (one or two practices, 2-3 hours each). For each Dancing event, four to ten hours of my time may be spent on these tasks. Twelfth Night 2018 required more than ten hours over the course of eight months. For the Choral Ball, I have arranged over 60 songs. Communication over the internet with Master James Blackcloak in Canada is vital for completion of nearly all the scores. The lyrics may be found in antiquated books, or the English Broadside Ballad Archives. I have been able to purchase most of the books which I have used. Songs require various amounts of preparation. Some have had lyrics obliterated by time on deteriorated manuscripts and have had to be reconstructed. A song may require between two and twelve hours for creation, one or two have needed more. I use computer programs such as Photoscore (to put a pdf file of notation on my computer) and Sibelius (music writing software) to complete the file from the Photoscore copy. It is then sent to the proofreader(s) who make note of errors I may have missed. The music is then given a “test run” at an event and, if more errors are found, they are then fixed. When directing the Known World Choir, some arrangements are done by me. It may be that the voicing is not suitable for the group, or the markings on the available score are insufficient, or the print is too small. I plan to direct the Known World Choir again at Pennsic 50. I gave King Cellach a private Recorder lesson at It Takes My Child to Raze a Village 2018. That was a great privilege.

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