| William Selby | |
| Background: | non_vocal_instrumentalist |
| Birth Date: | 1738 |
| Birth Place: | London, England |
| Death Date: | 1798 (aged 59) |
| Death Place: | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation: | church musician, composer |
| Instrument: | 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] 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. (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]