Hattie Butterworth - Editor

I’m so thrilled to be taking over as the new Editor of Choir & Organ, continuing my work editing Opera Now Magazine. Choral music has been very important to me throughout my life, growing up in the church and constantly playing hymns, discovering composers and voices that comfort me.

I studied the cello at the Royal College of Music whilst playing organ for the Mass at the Catholic halls of residence I lived at during my time there. I also played the organ for a community of nuns throughout the pandemic. 

I have a special interest in new music, supporting composers and in the 20th century choral tradition, particularly the work of William Walton. I also run a podcast, Things Musicians Don’t Talk About, aiming to support musicians' health and wellbeing and facilitating vital conversations.

hattiebutterworth.co.uk

Matthew Power - Organ & New Music Editor

After growing up on the small island of Guernsey, moving to Camberwell aged 18 was quite a culture shock, but a welcome one. Although I had sung in a church choir and been an organist for several years, I studied composition at Trinity College of Music and read for a London BMus degree. I soon found an antidote to the solitude of composing and essay writing in piano accompaniment, especially song, which is still one of my greatest musical joys.

I accidentally started work for Choir & Organ (selling ad space as a much-needed part-time job one summer) when the magazine was in its second year of life and beginning to grow. Editor Basil Ramsey was enormously kind and encouraged me to write, and later to become assistant editor which led to my succeeding him from 1999 to 2007.

Working alongside Maggie Hamilton, first as her editor, then later with her as my editor (I believe that’s quite an unusual succession in the publishing world!) led to my becoming New Music editor and Organ editor, both of which are truly life enhancing roles for which I am grateful.

Theo Elwell - Editorial Assistant

I was lucky enough to grow up singing in brilliant choirs from a young age, my secondary education was Roman Catholic so there was a big emphasis on music as part of the weekly services and daily life.

I went on to study violin and composition at Trinity College of Music where I joined the Old Royal Naval College Chapel Choir as a choral scholar under Ralph Allwood. I have had some of my fondest memories singing in choirs and I would encourage everyone to join one at one point in their life. I’m looking forward to bringing my personal enthusiasm for the great choral and organ works, along with an interest of discovering new talent.

I’m always interested to see how historic music finds its way back into popular culture, particularly through film scores, so seeking out captivating new choral music is a big passion of mine. I am very much looking forward to working with the brilliant Choir & Organ team in putting more new composers under the spotlight.

www.theoelwell.com