[Open discussion] Young Composers Magazine

Hello everybody,

Would it not be fantastic if Young Composers had its own special Magazine composed by the creative members of the forum?
Since a few weeks I have been thinking about this idea. I already made a few magazines with the free program called Jilster (https://www.jilster.com/).
The advantage of this program is that I (as a chief editor) can give specific pages to other people so that many people can work on one single magazine. The program is very ergonomic: I learned the things I needed to know in one hour of experimenting.

Because the idea is still quite vage, I decided to schelude the magazine. This link leads you to the magazine in which you can see the topics I would like to include.

https://jil.st/YoungComposersMagazinePreview

Before I begin to write for this magazine, I would like to know if you would appreciate it. Could it be an valuable addition to the forum?
I would also like to know if some of you are interested to help me. If you want to write about a topic that is not mentioned in this megazine scheme, do not be disappointed. I can give you several pages on which you can write about what you want.
Furthermore, if you are interested send me a private message.

I am very enthousiast, but of course we all have to be! Please be honest.

Maarten

*I know that not everybody has all free time to spend on writing and laying out the articles (including me), so there will not be a deadline. It is something extra and it has no priority.

I'm giving this a long, interested look.

As a reporter and journalism major, I'd be very interested in contributing and/or editing (and also reading).  

What would the articles be about? Technique? Music history? Anything music-related?

Also, would the magazine be published for the world outside of YC?

If this idea goes through, would you mind if I write a few articles about Music Jotter?

I could also write about some of our history, which could be quite interesting.  We'd need to get a few of our old guard members on board to help though.

7 hours ago, Noah Brode said:

As a reporter and journalism major, I'd be very interested in contributing and/or editing (and also reading).  

What would the articles be about? Technique? Music history? Anything music-related?

Also, would the magazine be published for the world outside of YC?

Hi Noah,

It would be great if you could help!

I have attached a link in the first post, which leads to the scheme of the magazine for now. Here I have mentioned the topics that came in my mind. (Almost) everything is going to be about music: history, composing, interviewing composers, facts, advertisements, orchestration etc. 

I can easily add more pages if you would add another specific topic!

It costs money to publicate the magazines on paper, but creating an online link is free. It is thus actually possible to share with everybody on this world, except  those who do not have internet.

7 hours ago, chopin said:

If this idea goes through, would you mind if I write a few articles about Music Jotter?

 

Hello Chopin,

That is a great idea! I would not mind at all, I even encourage you to do it. There is place enough, since I do not have many advertisements  (yet). Do you know if I could include the advertisements from the Advertisement department of this forum in the magazine?

7 hours ago, chopin said:

I could also write about some of our history, which could be quite interesting.  We'd need to get a few of our old guard members on board to help though.

 

Another good idea. I will certainly give you some pages to work on this topic.

I think all members of this forum will have fun reading the history of 'us'.

When you answered the poll question ''I would like to help'' with Yes, do not forget to send me a personal message!
I already started to split the tasks with Chopin and Noah Brode.

Chopin asked a bunch of older members (which made me revisit the site) looks good. I see old and new names :)
 

29 minutes ago, jrcramer said:

Chopin asked a bunch of older members (which made me revisit the site) looks good. I see old and new names :)
 

Well, welcome back then?

I see that you are from the Netherlands! Altijd gezellig.

Edited July 20, 20178 yr by Maarten Bauer

This is a really interesting concept. I will definitely be paying close attention. I'm not sure I'd have anything worthwhile to contribute, and as I'll be starting university in a few weeks, I'm not sure whether I'd have the time too. But I'll be very excited to get involved if I determine I am able to.

4 hours ago, fishyfry said:

This is a really interesting concept. I will definitely be paying close attention. I'm not sure I'd have anything worthwhile to contribute, and as I'll be starting university in a few weeks, I'm not sure whether I'd have the time too. But I'll be very excited to get involved if I determine I am able to.

Time is no issue. I an few weeks my last school years starts in which I have my final exams, which of course have priority above the magazine. There is no deadline. Just send me a message when you want to join the crew!

Good idea Maarten. I would suggest periodically publishing pieces from Young Composers members' compositions. What do you say? 

47 minutes ago, luderart said:

Good idea Maarten. I would suggest periodically publishing pieces from Young Composers members' compositions. What do you say? 

Do you mean with 'periodically publishing pieces' that there will be given scores in the magazine?

Just now, Maarten Bauer said:

Do you mean with 'periodically publishing pieces' that there will be given scores in the magazine?

 

Yes, I mean that in every issue a selection of the best pieces from YC composers be published.

2 hours ago, luderart said:

Yes, I mean that in every issue a selection of the best pieces from YC composers be published.

Would you like to join our team so that you can realize this great idea?

On 7/24/2017 at 7:25 PM, Maarten Bauer said:

Would you like to join our team so that you can realize this great idea?

 

I think it would be best to have a team of judges who decide upon the best pieces. This is so because they would have to spend a lot of time listening to every piece and deciding which are the best. I would accept to be one of the judges. I think also that choosing several pieces according to categories would be the best way to simplify the process.

I'm personally against a straight up "best pieces" section and the implications thereof in theory, but if I'm overruled, wouldn't be against being on the panel, since it's my job here to listen to virtually all pieces here regardless lol

5 hours ago, Monarcheon said:

I'm personally against a straight up "best pieces" section and the implications thereof in theory, but if I'm overruled, wouldn't be against being on the panel, since it's my job here to listen to virtually all pieces here regardless lol

There you have a good point. If we decide pieces to be the best, people could become disappointed. Maybe it is easier to pick out one random piece and asking the composer to give more background information about why he / she has composed the music the way it is and how. More in the form of an interview.

6 hours ago, Maarten Bauer said:

There you have a good point. If we decide pieces to be the best, people could become disappointed. Maybe it is easier to pick out one random piece and asking the composer to give more background information about why he / she has composed the music the way it is and how. More in the form of an interview.

 

Well, see, that's also problematic. I'm not saying necessarily the major works revamp is a bad idea because some people's feelings will get hurt, rather it's rather oligarchic.

16 hours ago, Monarcheon said:

I'm personally against a straight up "best pieces" section and the implications thereof in theory, but if I'm overruled, wouldn't be against being on the panel, since it's my job here to listen to virtually all pieces here regardless lol

 

I think you have a point there. The section can alternatively be named something like "Young Composer's Composition of the Month" (assuming the magazine is monthly). It can be named something else if the magazine will be bimonthly, quarterly or annual. And as I said, having categories will ensure there are more pieces and the choices are fairer. Maybe it will even encourage members to post more of their compositions per month in the hope of being featured in the magazine section.

52 minutes ago, luderart said:

I think you have a point there. The section can alternatively be named something like "Young Composer's Composition of the Month" (assuming the magazine is monthly). It can be named something else if the magazine will be bimonthly, quarterly or annual. And as I said, having categories will ensure there are more pieces and the choices are fairer. Maybe it will even encourage members to post more of their compositions per month in the hope of being featured in the magazine section.

 

Before you came with this idea, I already made a post for the results of the montly / season competition (maybe including the reactions of the winners / participants). Maybe you can edit this page, because this actually fits the idea you mention.

1 minute ago, Maarten Bauer said:

Before you came with this idea, I already made a post for the results of the montly / season competition (maybe including the reactions of the winners / participants). Maybe you can edit this page, because this actually fits the idea you mention.

 

I think there is a subtle difference between the two: one is selected from the submissions to a competition (yours), and the other (what I am suggesting) is selected from all the pieces posted in YC. Maybe both can be included?

12 hours ago, luderart said:

I think there is a subtle difference between the two: one is selected from the submissions to a competition (yours), and the other (what I am suggesting) is selected from all the pieces posted in YC.

Actually, I meant there is a simmilarity in theme: compositions of YC members. The problem with selecting the 'best' piece of several catagories can be the question 'what is good, thus what is 'best'?'

If you can find a clear definition of these terms, you have my permission to edit one or two pages about this topic.

12 hours ago, luderart said:

Maybe both can be included?

Certainly! Since I already have a lot tasks for the magazine (organisation is the biggest one), I would like to have you writing both topics (maximum 3 pages in total), if you have the time.

I am looking forward to your response!

11 hours ago, Maarten Bauer said:

Actually, I meant there is a simmilarity in theme: compositions of YC members. The problem with selecting the 'best' piece of several catagories can be the question 'what is good, thus what is 'best'?'

If you can find a clear definition of these terms, you have my permission to edit one or two pages about this topic.

Certainly! Since I already have a lot tasks for the magazine (organisation is the biggest one), I would like to have you writing both topics (maximum 3 pages in total), if you have the time.

I am looking forward to your response!

 

A clear definition of 'good' and 'best' is a little tough, since there is subjective judgement also involved. 

What do you mean "writing both topics (maximum 3 pages in total)"? I though we would just be choosing the pieces that will be published in the magazine? Do you have something else in mind?

I will of course try to be of help with the magazine and these two sections in particular. However, I have limited time that I can provide for them. Since Monarcheon has already offered her help in judging the selection of pieces, I think it will only be fair to include her too.

9 minutes ago, luderart said:

What do you mean "writing both topics (maximum 3 pages in total)"? I though we would just be choosing the pieces that will be published in the magazine? Do you have something else in mind?

Sorry, my mistake! 2 pages for the 'best pieces' in catagories.

10 minutes ago, luderart said:

I will of course try to be of help with the magazine and these two sections in particular. However, I have limited time that I can provide for them. Since Monarcheon has already offered her help in judging the selection of pieces, I think it will only be fair to include her too.

 

At least, I can add you to our team. 

@Monarcheon , would you mind to organise this topic in the magazine? By the way, you have not answered my personal message about the magazine.