Nicholls read Music at Saint John"s College, Cambridge, and graduated with a first. In 1986 he completed a Doctor of Philosophy at Cambridge with a thesis on the compositional techniques of Charles Ives, Henry Cowell, John Cage, and other experimental composers.
From 2000 through 2013 he was Professor of Music at the University of Southampton. Subsequently he took early retirement and was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor of Music. From 1987 to 2000 he was Professor of Music and sometime Research Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Keele University.
Between 1984 until 1987 Nicholls was based at Selwyn College, Cambridge as a Keasbey Fellow in American Studies.
He is a former editor of the American Music (2000–2005). Stars and Distances 1977-1978.
Revised 1981 (16 solo voices, optional electronics)
Three Empson Songs 1978-1979 (soprano, clarinet, percussion)
Reflections and Refractions 1978 (flute, clarinet, piano, string trio)
Pleiades 1979-1980 (three groups of instruments)
.. with which to open.. and. with which to close. 1982 (soprano, clarinet, piano)
Competitive Strategies 2 1982 (oboe)
The Giant"s Heart 1983 (mimes/dancers/puppets/actors, optional tape)
Chi 1983, revised 1987-1988 (dancer, percussionist, live electronics)
Carol 1983 (8 voices, organ, bells)
Seascape 1984 (strings, harp, celesta, 4 percussion)
Gonepteryx rhamni 1985 (clarinet, piano)
Siva Dances 1985
.. whisperings upon leaves.
1986 (soprano, 10 instruments)
Mosaic 1986 (flute, clarinet, piano, vibraphone, violin, violoncello)
In the Cage 1986 (singing/speaking recorder player, optional assistant/tape)
2 Japanese Miniatures 1988-1989 (8 players)
Largo e Piano 1989 (14 players)
Winter landscape with skaters and birdtrap 1989-1990 (string quartet)
Several Elephants 1989-1990 (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, trombone/bass saxophone)
Cantata: Jerusalem 1990-1991 (soprano, 2 mixed choruses, 2 wind & percussion bands)
Sam Bam and the House in the Sky 1994-1995 (children"s musical for voices and instruments)
Lily"s Birds 1996 (a musical story for children.
String quartet and narrator)
Songs of the Spirit 1998 (SATB chorus)
Tears 1998 (soprano, clarinet, piano).
