Boyce

Boyce, WILLIAM, composer, born in London, 1710, was a chorister at St Paul's, and was appointed composer to the Chapel-royal in 1736, and organist in 1758. He received the degree of Doctor of Music from Cambridge in 1749, and was master of the king's band from 1755. He died at Kensington, 7th February 1779. Boyce holds a high rank as a composer of church music, his two services and several of his anthems being still frequently performed. His songs include 'Hearts of Oak,' written for one of Garrick's pantomimes; and a miscellaneous collection of his songs and cantatas extended to 6 volumes. His best work is the serenata of Solomon (1743); his most valuable publication is a collection of the Cathedral Music of the two preceding centuries (3 vols. 1760).