Why does the music world need a new voice?
It’s a question many musicians often find themselves asking. In an industry steeped in tradition, new voices and ideas can face backlash, resistance or worse… silence.
Those who rock the boat often risk their own careers in order to challenge outdated conventions. Freedom of artistry takes a backseat to accolades and audition repertoire. For many, the status quo no longer reflects the person behind the music. As society debates new ideas and challenges old conventions with the aim of inclusivity, is the music world at risk of falling behind?
At Polyphony we want to delve into the uncomfortable, away from advertising straight jackets and endless traffic targets. We put the musician at the heart of every piece of content, providing you not only with the facts on global musical issues but giving those musicians on the fringes of the music industry a platform to be heard. We will inform, challenge and reevaluate everything you thought you knew about the classical music world. We aim to be a safe space to cultivate a healthier more inclusive industry.
Ruth Hallows, Editor
Journalist and cellist Ruth Hallows is spent most of her career shedding light on the major issues facing young professionals breaking into the music industry. Alongside her role as editor for Polyphony magazine, Ruth writes for The Strad and hosts the podcast From A Cellist’s Perspective. Her work has been featured in the Musician’s Union Magazine and Larsen Strings.
Since graduating from the Royal College of Music, career highlights include performing on BBC Radio 3 In Tune, and making her debut with Manchester Camerata.
Favourite piece of classical music: Brahms’s Piano Quartet no.3 in c minor, op.60: Adante
Dream instrument to learn: Bassoon
Sam Rucker, Media Editor
Sam has a passion for international affairs and news journalism but is a classical music lover at heart. Having grown up in Spain, Switzerland, America and the United Kingdom, he always aims to give an international perspective on classical music.
He has a wide range of reporting experience, working at national newspapers like The Times; local outlets, like Newsquest and My London; and writing solution-orientated stories on global poverty at the BORGEN Magazine.
Before becoming a journalist, Sam managed some of Germany’s fastest-growing companies’ marketing and social media strategies.
Favourite piece of classical music: Granada by Isaac Albéniz: David Russell
Dream instrument to learn: Clarinet
Isabel Jackson, Production and Sub Editor
Isabel Jackson is production editor and sub editor for Polyphony. She is passionate about writing features and long reads with a strong human interest angle. Isabel has always had an interest in arts and culture and has an undergraduate degree in English from UCL. She was brought up in a musical household and learned the flute for several years during childhood. She is enjoying working on Polyphony and bringing a fresh perspective to the classical music world.
Favourite piece of classical music: Gnossienne No. 1: Erik Satie
Dream instrument to learn: Violin
Ed Holt, Social Media and News Editor
Ed Holt is a journalist with a passion for politics and keeping up with current affairs to inform a better understanding of our world and its future. Before writing for Polyphony, Ed has written for the sustainable transport magazine Ibex Publishing, specialising in politics, and as Croydon correspondent for the live news website Eastlondonlines.
Ed learnt and played the Trombone as a child for four years. He is now keen to learn more about the classical music world and how global events impact people in the profession.
Outside of his work, Ed enjoys watching football and Formula 1 and enjoys going to live concerts both classical and contemporary!
Favourite piece of classical music: Hungarian Dance No.5: Johannes Brahms
Dream instrument to learn: Saxophone
Melody Chan, Design Editor
Melody Chan is the designer of Polyphony, a creative journalist who enjoys presenting multimedia news. Previously freelanced in various lifestyle magazines such as Art of Nomads, Sporting Ferret and Justice For Society, she is a versatile writer who has reported on diverse subjects such as travel, esports and beauty.
She is also a retired pianist of 13 years and grew up playing Chopin, hoping to bring gender and race representation in her classical music coverage. Apart from that, she is currently a part-time dancer who explores movement with contemporary music.
Favourite piece of Classical Music: Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2: Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin
Dream instrument to learn: Violin
Henry Zhang, Picture Editor
Henry Zhang has a passion for investigative journalism and feature writing, with a strong interest in human stories as well as sports. Growing up in northern China and having worked as a technology and business feature writer in Beijing, he hopes to provide a business perspective on the classical music industry. He is also a classical music fan who always appreciates its beauty and appeal. He remembers vividly being deeply moved when listening to Beethoven’s work for the first time at the age of 14. He knows how to play the guitar and is very interested in British Rock & Roll music.
Favourite piece of classical music: Symphony No. 5: Ludwig van Beethoven
Dream instrument to learn: Piano