William Selby
Script error: No such module "Other people". Template:Use dmy dates Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". William Selby (1738–1798[1]) was an English organist, harpsichordist, choirmaster and composer who emigrated to America.[2][3]
Early life
Born in England and baptised in London on 1 January 1739, Selby was the third known son of Joseph and Mary Selby.[4]Template:Rp 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]
American career
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]
References
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- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Sounds of the Square Mile: Music from the Churches of the City of London, a film and concert by Thomas Allery, 2023
- ↑ Donavan Dawe. Organists of the City of London, 1666–1850 (Padstow, 1983)
- ↑ a b c d e Temperley, Nicholas. 'Selby, William (ii)' in Grove Music Online (2001)
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Nicolas Slonimsky. Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, 7th. ed. (1984)
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
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- English composers
- British emigrants to the Thirteen Colonies
- American male composers
- American composers
- 1738 births
- 1789 deaths
- American organists
- American male organists
- People from colonial Massachusetts
- 18th-century American composers
- 18th-century American male composers
- 18th-century male musicians
- 18th-century English keyboardists
- Musicians from Newport, Rhode Island