Some of Hughes' most notable early writing involved music. His "American Composers" (1900), "Love Affairs of Great Musicians" (1903), "Songs by Thirty Americans" and "Music Lovers' Cyclopedia" (1914) were all well received by the public and critics alike. Hughes was a musician and composed several songs including ones for his first venture as a playwright, the musical comedy "The Bathing Girl" (1895). In recognition of his musical efforts Hughes was elected an honorary member of the Alpha chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity at the New England Conservatory in Boston in 1917.