Sound and Music’s In Motion programme brings together a diverse group of composers, each with a unique voice and vision. This Q&A series offers a glimpse into their creative worlds.

Here, we speak to In Motion 2025 composer Grace Stubbings.

If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

I’d hope to be a sailor or working in ecology — maybe as a ranger. Something that keeps me close to nature and the water. I’ve always been drawn to the rhythms of the natural world, so even outside of music, I think I’d still be chasing those patterns — whether through sailing, conservation work, or just spending time observing and protecting the environments I care about.

What’s a sound you’ve heard recently that fascinated you?

While working with sound artist David de la Haye, we were listening to recordings I made in a lake in Finland. Through those recordings, he was able to identify the type of surface based solely on the sound which completely fascinated me. It made me realize how much information is held in sound, often beyond what we consciously notice.

Recently, I was leading a workshop at a local school, and the young people and I became totally captivated by the simple, satisfying sound of water popping which came from a pipe in their playground. 

What directions or experiments are you excited to explore next?

Since recently working with a hydrophone, I’ve been inspired to explore more interdisciplinary collaborations. I’m particularly excited about the possibility of working with marine biologists and ecologists — contributing to data collection and species identification, and exploring how human activity impacts marine life. I see this as an opportunity to bridge science and art, and to create work that both informs and engages.

I’m also interested in working with different communities, giving space for their perspectives on environmental issues. Whether through co-creating sound pieces, podcasts, or whatever format feels right for them, I want to support work that amplifies local voices and encourages people to connect more meaningfully with the environments around them.

Who or what are your dream collaborators—past, present, or future?

St. Hildegard of Bingen and Björk. I love the idea of collaborating across time with Hildegard’s visionary, celestial compositions meeting Björk’s boundary-pushing soundscapes. Both create from such a deep connection to nature and spirituality.

What are you looking forward to most about In Motion?

I’m really looking forward to a period of exploration, meeting new people and experimenting with new groups. I’m excited about the chance to learn and grow, and to bring that knowledge and those connections back to my hometown and community work in the North East.

I hope to spend as much time outdoors as possible, and to meet like-minded people, as well as those who can challenge me and open me up to new ways of working and fresh perspectives.