William Boyce

BOYCE, William. b. London, 1711 (baptized 11 September); d. Kensington, London, 7 February 1779. Encouraged by his father, he entered the choir school of St Paul’s Cathedral around 1719 and came under the influence of the cathedral’s organist, Maurice Greene, who became a lifelong mentor. After his voice broke, he continued his career as an articled pupil of Greene, and took lessons from Johann Christoph Pepusch. Boyce earned a living as a harpsichord teacher and, in 1734, as organist for the Oxford Chapel (now known as St Peter, Vere Street, London). Two years later he moved to St Michael’s, Cornhill (a position he held until 1768) and also succeeded John Weldon as composer to the Chapel...