Evaluation

First Draft of Magazine

Body Copy

In the process of creating my double page spread I have written a body copy of text to go along with my main article. Based on my research, I decided to use the Perpetua font for it, as virtually all magazines use serif fonts for their body copies, and this particular font looks similar to that used in the magazines I've researched. After a few re-writes and spell checking it, this is my final body copy that will fill up my double page spread.

‘Anyone can compose music.’ That is a very bold statement to make from such a young artist, and if it wasn’t for her amazing talent and critical acclaim, many would dismiss this claim. It is only after Vera tells us about her musical career so far and her plans for the future, that I truly understand what she means.  After asking her what it was like having her talent recognised, despite her lack of training, her eyes light up with enthusiasm. She is unique in that she didn’t have much in the way of formal training growing up, only  really being taught anything by a professional by September 2010 when she was fast approaching 17.

While there have been many great male musicians who have emerged from less than affluent backgrounds, few female composers as young as her and with her magnitude of skill spring to mind; let alone from poor backgrounds. In her own words she feels like ‘being recognised is about more than just people recognising me, but about women in general being given an equal footing in this art, regardless of their background’. She feels fortunate to have the chance to express that to us. Her face composes into an expression of relief, obviously eager to get that answer out as soon as possible.

Assuming this, I anticipate her answer to my next question ‘Is that what you aim to do then? Make women more noticed in modern composing?’ in response she looks perplexed ‘It’s what I want to do’, she says, as for why? ‘Yes, there is probably an aspect of increasing women’s influence in the musical world, but so far my experience with classical music has been performing and reciting other people’s music. Like anything, I want to take it to the next level by composing my own piece. Actually composing will definitely improve my understanding of classical music further, I love it, and I don’t just want to make music, I want to create it.’

Now I wear her formerly perplexed expression as she continues ‘do I want to take my music a step further in this way because I am a musician, or a woman? I don’t know, A little bit of both I suppose’. What strikes me most is the duality of her answer, which leads to a discussion between us about how there is something of a tightrope walk when you are an influential woman in any form of art. Ultimately, she smartly puts it ‘I want to show people that women can do this too, but that’s not all I want to show them’.

Now realising this internal struggle of wanting to have a message of gender equality, without letting her gender become her most recognisable label, I ask to what extent she might reflect this in her music. She responds ‘Composers fight political battles with their music. One of my favourite composers of all time, Shostakovich, rebelled against the government through his music’.  We become briefly side-tracked, talking about the great Russian composer. She comments that the most remarkable thing about him was with what subtly his messages were embedded in his compositions, to which I can do nothing but agree. Returning to the question at hand Vera responds saying ‘I can only hope to emulate him once I get a chance at composing. My message will be a driving force at least in my first few compositions’. I am now beginning to understand what she meant by ‘Anyone can compose music.’

Gramaphone contents analysis 2

Double Page Spread Mock Up

Contents Page Mock Up

Front Cover Mock Up