Elvey, Sir George Job

1816-1893

English organist and composer. Was chorister of Canterbury Cathedral and pupil of the organist, Highmore Skeats, also studying under his brother, Stephen Elvey, and later at the Royal Academy of Music under Cipriani Potter and Dr. Crotch. In 1835 he succeeded Highmore Skeats, jr., as organist and chorister at St. George's Chapel, Windsor, continuing in this position until his retirement in 1882. He was graduated from Oxford as Bachelor of Music in 1838 and Doctor of Music in 1840. Was conductor of the Glee and Madrigal Society, and was knighted in 1871. He composed several oratorios; one, The Resurrection and Ascension, was performed at Exeter Hall by the Sacred Harmonic Society in 1840, and later given in Boston and Glasgow. He also composed several odes; anthems; a number of hymn-tunes and chants; glees and part-songs; and a Festal March for orchestra, composed for the wedding of the Princess Louise. The majority of his compositions are sacred music.