From the Organist & Choirmaster

A composer that can be spotted in several places in The Hymnal 1982, various anthems, and Anglican Chants that the Parish Choir often use is George Elvey. He displays a great classical and romantic composition style with stately harmonies that are “clean,” and clear patterns of movement within the voices of the choir.

At our liturgy for The Epiphany on Monday, January 6, Elvey’s setting of the text “Arise, shine, for thy light has come” will be sung by the Parish Choir as the introit to the Mass.

Sir George Job Elvey was born in Canterbury in 1816 to a family with a rich connection to the cathedral life at Canterbury Cathedral, where the Archbishop of Canterbury oversees the Anglican Communion. Elvey began his music education as a boy chorister at the Cathedral under Highmore Skeats, his brother Stephen Elvey was even master of the boys, an esteemed title to have! He moved to Oxford when his brother was appointed organist at New College, Oxford, George finished his education with his brother as well as the Royal Academy of Music under William Crotch.

In 1834 his compositions were already being recognized. His anthem, “Bow down Thine ear, Lord” earned him the Gresham gold medal. In 1835, at the age of 19, George became organist of Saint George’s Chapel, Windsor. Some of his earliest students were Prince George, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar. Many of his best known anthems come from this period in Elvey’s life, having composed for special liturgies at Saint George’s Chapel. He was knighted in 1871 and resigned from his post at Saint George’s in 1882, he is one of the longest employed organist at Saint George’s having served there for 47 years!

One of his most famous hymns that we recognize is the great hymn, “Crown him with many crowns.”