William Selby | |
---|---|
Born | 1738 London, England |
Died | 1798 (aged 59) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Occupation(s) | church musician, composer |
Instrument(s) | organ |
Years active | 1755–1798 |
William Selby (1738–1798 [1]) was an English organist, harpsichordist, choirmaster and composer who emigrated to America. [2] [3]
Born in England and baptised in London on 1 January 1739, Selby was the third known son of Joseph and Mary Selby. [4]: 12 Beginning at the age of 17, he held several positions in London as organist including at St Sepulchre-without-Newgate (1760-1770) and also at the now demolished All Hallows, Bread Street (1756-73). [5] [6] He was also organist to the Magdalen Hospital (1766–9). [7] Selby published both sacred and secular music between 1665 and 1670, most notably the nine psalm and hymn settings included in A Second Collection of Psalms and Hymns Used at the Magdalen Chapel (c 1770), which also included works by Thomas Arne. [3] His hunting song The Chace of the Hare was often reprinted. [7]
Selby emigrated to Boston, Massachusetts in October 1773 at the age of 35. [4] (He was following in the footsteps of his brother John, also an organist, who emigrated in 1771). [7] In 1774, Selby became the organist at Trinity Church in Newport, Rhode Island. Three years later, Selby became organist at King's Chapel in Boston where he organized the first colonial music festival. [8]
Selby's surviving works include two voluntaries and one Fugue for the organ, a lesson in C for the harpsichord, and an anthem for Thanksgiving Day. His Boston compositions included a Jubilate and three anthems, including Behold, he is my salvation, composed for the rededication of Old South Church, Boston. [7] The patriotic choral ode To Columbia’s Favourite Son, was performed at the Stone Chapel in 1786, in the presence of President Washington. [7]
Over his career he published nine psalms and hymns for solo voice, eight choral works (both religious and secular), six songs, nine solo pieces for guitar and three for keyboard. [9] In addition to his musical endeavors, he managed a grocery and liquor shop. [10]