BOYCE, William
b London, 1710
d London, 7 February 1779, aged sixty-eight

As a boy he sang in the choir at St Paul's Cathedral. Although he became hard of hearing at an early age, he became composer of the Chapel Royal, director of the Three Choirs Festival and Master of the King's Musick, and was awarded the degree of doctor of music at Cambridge in 1747. Garrick commissioned him and Arne to write musical 'entertainments' for Drury Lane Theatre. He was granted the sole right of publishing his own works - an early instance of musical copyright. He is buried beneath the dome of St Paul's.

c1750 (c40)

p Eight Symphonies in Eight Parts . . . Opera Seconda

1758 (48)

Ode to the New Year

1769 (59)

Ode to the King's Birthday

1772 (62)

Ode to the New Year

1775 (65)

Ode to the King's Birthday Performed posthumously:

c1785 Ten voluntaries for organ or harpsichord

1786 Ode to the King's Birthday

1790 'Oh where shall wisdom be found?', anthem

Boyce also composed church and stage music and songs.