Nicholas Hall

WSW
When did you start composing?
NH
The first piece I ever composed was for a music theory project at the end of my senior year of high school. At the time, I had no intention of being a composer and had thought it was just a fun idea for my class. About a year later, toward the end of my freshman year of college, I really began to explore the idea of composition. It started as just writing for percussion, but it did not take long before I started experimenting with other instruments and ensemble settings. Shortly after that, in the fall of 2010, The LIU Post string ensemble gave me my first world premiere with my piece “Sunset at Sea.” It was listening to them perform my music at this concert, that I knew I wanted to continue in the world of composition.

WSW
Do you play an instrument or sing?
NH
I began playing the drums just before the fourth grade and haven’t stopped playing since. In high school I really branched out to learn more of the percussion instruments and continued to learn more throughout my undergraduate studies. Although I consider myself to be a very well rounded percussionist, lately, I have been concentrating on the marimba. I spent most of my senior year of college studying the marimba and continue to study it today.

WSW
Where do you usually compose?
NH
Most of my composing is done at my homework area. The desk is set up with a large screen for working on large scores, a small electric keyboard for getting ideas onto paper, and a specialty printer that I use to print and bind all of my music. Nearby is a shelf where I keep completed scores, random thoughts and ideas, various scores by other composers for numerous different ensembles, and most importantly my marimba. Although I have a certain level of comfort at home, I also on occasion will bring my laptop and some staff paper with me and write in other places. I have composed on planes, trains, in random shops, and more. If the inspiration is there, I’ll take it.

WSW
What has been your biggest challenge in composing?
NH
The biggest challenge for me has been learning about all of the instruments. Growing up as a percussionist, I never had to think about when to breathe, if a certain dynamic level is difficult to achieve in a high or low register, etc. On top of this, I also found that being a percussionist had me writing for other instruments in an extremely rhythmic and less melodic fashion. However, I think I have now been able to balance my rhythmic nature with a more melodic approach.

WSW
Can you tell us a little about the quintet?
NH
My quintet, Whirlwind, was a fun project for me. I wrote this piece at the end of my undergraduate studies when I had a lot going on around me and in my life. Although the moment seemed hectic, it was all positive chaos. Just before writing the piece I had completed two composition projects that were both very serious and much larger in size. The two pieces, one for wind ensemble and one for symphony orchestra, totaled around 37 minutes of music and both took a year to finish. After these large projects I really wanted to write something light and fun for a small ensemble.

WSW
What do you want the audience to know about your piece?
NH
The piece is designed to be a burst of energy that is fun for both the performers and the audience. Although it is a short piece, I wanted the listeners to be on the edge of their seat the entire time.