About The Composer
Nick Squires is a Calm.com featured artist and composer, cellist, producer and string arranger. He studied at the Royal College Of Music for six years before embarking on an orchestral career, playing with the Royal Philharmonic, BBC, BSO and other London orchestras.
He then he joined pop band Jamie Scott and the Town, achieving a No.1 hit in Asia, (and supporting Take That and Kelly Clarkson, as well as headlining festivals globally).
Nick has played on Hollywood film scores and top charting pop tracks (Gabriella Cilmi - Sweet about me), and arranges strings for Boyzone, Westlife, Blue, Girls Aloud and the X Factor to name a few. He also played on the Lion King for 13 years and Wicked, where he was an associate for 10 years. In 2018 he achieved viral status with his 'Bach in the rain' video, with over 50 million views across social media.
He has also recorded many sampling sessions, the most recent being for Spitfire Audio’s Hans Zimmer Strings sample pack.
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As far as producing and composing goes, Nick has recently co-written and produced a No.1 hit in China for Luhan (Medals) and was the Producer and MD for the Strictly Come Dancing fitness spinoff, Fitsteps, for three years. He also produces library music for Sony ATV.
Nick has held coaching and teaching positions at Music Makers (Fordingbridge) and The Oxford Cello School, The London Oratory and Durlston Court Schools.
Patrick Savage (Former principal First violin, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)
"Nick Squires is an extraordinarily gifted, charismatic and creative composer, arranger and 'Cellist. With his boundless energy and infectious joy in what he does, it's been a huge pleasure to work with him over the years on a great variety of projects".
Bozidar Vukotic (The Tippet Quartet)
"Nick Squires is one of the most instinctively gifted musicians I’ve ever worked with".
Tim Powell (Writer/Producer: Paloma Faith, Girls Aloud)
"Nick is a superb musician and lovely guy all round! His is a rare talent to write fantastic parts and bring personality and ideas to sessions".
Dave Andrews (Manager of Music Makers summer school)
“A cross between Tigger and the Duracell Bunny, Nick Squires is a hugely popular 'cello coach who always brings boundless energy and enthusiasm to our Summer Music Courses each year. Each break time Nick will either be found playing football or producing bespoke arrangements for his group of eagerly awaiting 'cellists who can't wait to play his pieces usually to a spectacular backing track. Nick certainly knows how to make string playing 'cool'!”
About “In The Mix”
Our goal is to inspire everyone, (just like Nick himself was inspired at an early age), from all different genres of music (classical, hip hop, dance), to play, sing or just enjoy music, in whatever form it takes.
With “In The Mix”, we have had that response from professional musicians, pupils, children and adults alike.
The player gets to experience the excitement of playing to incredibly fun and original backing tracks, as well as the joy and pride which can be achieved when performing them in concerts, or just to friends and family.
We believe that in this moment, the way the world is changing, something fresh and new is needed to ignite the passion of “typically classical” instrumentalists. Something that will encourage more people to "have a go" at an instrument. To broaden their musical horizons. We believe these pieces, which are just the start of a constantly expanding series, are an accessible way to get more people into something which we value, (music and the arts), as one of the most important subjects not just in schools, but in life.
Music is an incredible thing. It can change lives, give purpose, increase self esteem and even be viewed as therapy for the mind, body and soul.
Music is life, so let's play!