Boyce, William (1710-1779), was an English composer and organist. He is chiefly remembered for his patriotic song “Hearts of Oak” (1759), which was written for the pantomime Harlequin’s Invasion. But his major contributions to music were his compositions for church services and his many anthems. Boyce’s nonreligious compositions include numerous odes, masques, incidental music for plays, and such instrumental compositions as sonatas, symphonies, and concertos. Boyce compiled Cathedral Music (1760), an important collection of British church music of the 1500’s and 1600’s.
Boyce was born in London. In 1755, he was appointed master of the king’s music, an honorary post given to an outstanding composer or musician. He became organist for the Chapel Royal in 1758. He died on Feb. 7, 1779.
