Hugh Raymond Newsom (1891-1978) was born in Cawnpore, India, of American missionary parents and was brought to the United States at an early age. When only 11, Newsom became a church organist and choir director for his father in Wapello, Iowa, and at 13 he wrote and conducted a short oratorio, producing significant public interest.

Newsom received his musical education at Wesleyan, Oberlin College, and New England Conservatory, studying under such teachers as Alexander Rommel, Arthur Heacox, and George Chadwick. When studying under Chadwick, Newsom was given the opportunity to attend rehearsals and sit with various players of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, an experience that inspired him to continue his studies and become a composer.

Newsom studied music theory and composition, focusing on choral music in particular. His experience playing the organ helped him write for the instrument effectively in works for orchestra.

Newsom married Marjorie Brunton, a concert harpist and composer. His sister, Grace Newsom Cushman, taught musicianship at the Peabody Conservatory of Music from 1950 to 1970.

Newsom spent about three months of each year contracting for and routing the coast-to-coast tours of noted individual artists. Some artists include the Don Cossack Choir, the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, The Israel Philharmonic, Jan Kubelik, Pablo Casals, Mischa Elman, Ernestine Schumann-Heink, Alberto Salvi, Rosa Ponselle, and others. The rest of each year Newsome spent composing. For over twenty years Newsom wrote many of his scores in his studio and garden in Baltimore.