Great Hearts Middle Schools in North Texas participate in the Bard Competition, a poetry recitation contest. In the Western Tradition, a Bard is a figure of great significance, often regarded as a poet, storyteller, and musician. The Bard was tasked with the preservation of the tradition and memory of the tribe. At Great Hearts Irving we believe that poetry is beautiful and essential for human flourishing. In addition, memorization and recitation yields lasting benefit to our scholars not only academically, but in life. 

 

Both Middle and High School students may participate, however it is optional for High School scholars. High School scholars need to notify their Humane Letters teacher of their intent to participate and then will compete in the schoolwide round.

 

There will be 4 rounds in the Middle School for the Bard competition:

Round 1: Week of Jan. 20. All middle school students will participate in the First Round of the Bard Competition by reciting a poem assigned in class. 

Round 2: February 12th. The top 2 finalists in each section will move to a grade competition; memorizing and reciting a new poem. 

Round 3: February 20th. The top 3 from each grade will participate in a school wide competition.

Round 4: March 2nd. The top 5 students in Middle School will compete against the top 5 scholars from GH Lakeside, GH Arlington, and GH Prairie View.

 

This year Great Hearts Irving will be hosting Round 4 on March 2. If your child is interested in participating and wants to get a head start, you can help them browse the list of approved poems here. They may choose a different poem but it will need to be approved by the teacher. The poems need to follow the following guidelines:

Requirements for Poems

  • The poem you memorize must be between 25-50 lines long, and it should take no longer than 4 minutes to recite.
  • It cannot be an original work, or something you have memorized for class or for Drama Club. 
  • It must be at least 50 years old (written before 1975).

Recitations will be judged on

  • Physical presence
  • Voice and articulation
  • Dramatic appropriateness
  • Level of difficulty of the poem
  • Evidence of understanding
  • Overall performance