WILLIAM SELBY
William Selby (b. England, ca. 1738; d. Boston, Mass., 12 Dec. 1798) was a composer and organist. Selby served as organist at London's Holy Sepulcher Church from 1760, then emigrated to Boston in 1771 and settled there, except for a stay in Newport, Rhode Island (1773-74). He was organist at Boston's Trinity Church (1776-78) and Stone Chapel (1782-98), also gave concerts, and published a small amount of music.
Amerigrove, Baker's, Bio-bib, Grove, Sonneck-Upton. Also McKay 1971.
TWO ANTHEMS, 1782
ASMI 455
Two Anthems, for Three and Four Voices. Composed in an easy and familiar stile, adapted for the use of singing societies. By William Selby, professor of music, in Boston, New-England. (Price four shillings lawful money.)*** To be sold at the author's house, in Boston, and most of the booksellers and printers on the continent.
9 unnumbered 1., pr. on rectos only. 121 x 31 cm. Engraved throughout [by John Norman]. See note above, under Norman.
[1782.] Boston Gazette, 26 Aug. 1782, advertises work as just published. Same newspaper, 21 Oct. 1782, advertises work, adding: 'The great Expence the Author has been at in Engraving, etc. rendered it necessary for him to put the Sale of his Anthems at four Shillings; but being more desirous of giving Satisfaction to the Purchasers than the Emolument to himself, has induced him to reduce the Price to two Shillings. L. [1], t-p.; 1. [2]-[9], music.
2 anthems, 1 for 4 voices, 1 for 3; full text. T-p. attribs. both to Selby. 2 1st pr. identified. Both are American.
No Core Repertory.
E22882 (no copy on Readex). DLC*.
ASMI p 545