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William Billings

American choral composer

For the American judge, see William Howard Billings.

William Billings (October 7, 1746 – September 26, 1800) was an American composer and is regarded as the first American choral composer and leading member of the First New England School.

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Thanksgiving Anthem "O praise the Lord Of Heaven" · Is any afflicted · Emmaus.

American colonial composer William Billings was perhaps the most gifted composer to emerge from the New England "singing-school" tradition.

Life

William Billings was born in Boston, Province of Massachusetts Bay. At the age of 14, the death of his father stopped Billings' formal schooling. In order to help support his family, young Billings trained as a tanner.

He possibly received musical instruction from John Barry, one of the choir members at the New South Church, but for the most part he was self-taught. Billings had an unusual appearance and a strong addiction to snuff. His contemporary wrote that Billings "was a singular man, of moderate size, short of one leg, with one eye, without any address & with an uncommon negligence of person.

Still, he spake & sung & thought as a man above the common abilities