“Broad-shouldered sweep and pulsating exuberance” Chicago Classical Review
Mr. Hubbell’s music spans a wide range of genres, often combining live performance with electronically synthesized and manipulated sounds. Some of his more provocative works include a narrator to help weave a surreal drama. The Percussive Arts Society (PAS) wrote of Behind the Hedge, for chamber ensemble, electronics and narrator: “Nicholas Hubbell has given the chamber ensemble genre a great addition, one that is sure to get people talking!”
He was recently the winner (2022) of the Chicago Philharmonic Fanfare Competition. The work is performed often, and recently had it’s Carnegie Hall debut: the initial test of this reviewer’s ears of what sound could make under Speck’s baton was a commissioned fanfare by one Nicholas Hubbell. This work, which had won a nationwide competition for this orchestra premiered in Chicago 5 years ago and is aging nicely. It was somewhat reminiscent, but not in a mere derivative manner of John Williams, with a seasoning of Copland, perhaps, yet quite appropriately so. It certainly was designed to sonically display this ensemble’s chops and did so quite handsomely. the initial test of this reviewer’s ears of what sound could make under Speck’s baton was a commissioned fanfare by one Nicholas Hubbell. This work, which had won a nationwide competition for this orchestra premiered in Chicago 5 years ago and is aging nicely. It was somewhat reminiscent, but not in a mere derivative manner of John Williams, with a seasoning of Copland, perhaps, yet quite appropriately so. It certainly was designed to sonically display this ensemble’s chops and did so quite handsomely. Splash Magazine Worldwide
After graduating from Oberlin Conservatory, Mr. Hubbell discovered a love and affinity for scoring to picture, and became in demand for films and commercials. “I found writing for a program set aside the ego just enough, to allow me to work with more fluidity. Although writing the 12 hours a day for a month of Dr. Seuss animations, with a strict deadline and navigating not just the content, but the client as well, was truly a high wire act!”
Opening the music production house, Just Music, he wrote music for award winning dramatic, educational and children’s programs, as well as TV and radio commercials. The BBC documentary: The Battle of Britain, won the Golden Cine Soundtrack of the Year. Commissions include: Disney (Anne of Green Gables), Random House (Dr. Seuss), The Smithsonian Museum, and ESPN (NBA TV logo among other productions). Pitching Man (Emmy winning biography of the great baseball pitcher, Satchel Page) is in the permanent collection of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Mr. Hubbell resides in Marina del Rey, CA, by the beach (and the dolphins) with his wife, Dona McKenzie, an artist and quilter.
Excerpt from premier performance of Awakening at TURN UP 2025. Brian Luce, flute, Michael Dolese, percussion, Clarissa Tracy, mixing.
Premiered March 2022 at TURN UP Festival, Brian Luce, flutes.
I recently took a trip to see the Coastal Redwoods in Northern California. One has to stand next to, and walk through the forest, to get any feeling for not only the enormous size of these wonders, but to feel their presence. For me they invoked a timeless grace. Many are over a thousand years old and stand well beyond 300 feet. As I walked among them, I was struck by the silence of the surroundings, as if their presence absorbed all sound.
I learned that high above their canopies teamed with life, an entire eco system. Most of this life never comes close to the ground, but there was no aural evidence, just a sublime peace- fullness. How refreshing to experience in today’s world!
As I set out to compose a work from this experience, I chose a fixed media approach to express the vastness, the depth. But I also wanted something intimate as well, a song, a voice. The flute seemed the best choice. Lyrical yet dynamic, and with the alto, flute and piccolo, I could span a large range. It is conjuring a voice from the forest, a Hidden Muse.