JOHN E. WEST

John Ebenezer West (1863-1929) was born in Hackney, London, England. He was taught at home by his father William West, founder of the North-East London Academy of Music, and studied organ with Frederick Bridge, organist at Westminster Abbey. His mother, Madame Clara West, was a professional soprano, and his sister, Lottie West, a professional contralto soloist, pianist and teacher. West studied at the Royal Academy of Music, where he was taught composition by his uncle, Ebenezer Prout, an authority on the fugues of Bach. West held organ posts in London at St. Mary’s, Bourdon Street, St. John of Jerusalem, South Hackney and St. Augustine’s, Queen’s Gate. He conducted various choral societies and choirs in London, Reading, Croydon, Warlingham and the highly regarded Railway Clearing House Male-Voice Choir. In 1884, he became an associate editor with Novello & Company in London. In 1897, West became chief editor and adviser, a post previously occupied by such noticables as Joseph Barnby and John Stainer. He remained with Novello’s for 45 years, 32 as chief editor. He retired shortly before his death in 1929. He was a prolific composer and editor with nearly 500 published pieces. He was a pioneer in the field of editing, especially choral and organ music from earlier centuries. He collapsed on the stage of Westminster Central Hall after conducting the third item in a concert by the Railway Clearing House Male-Voice Choir. He was rushed to nearby Westminster Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

All are mixed chorus; some contain divisi.

SET	TITLE	VOICING	TEXT	LISTEN
	Away to the woodlands		Thomas Chatterton	LISTEN X Stop audio before closing
	Beware!	SATBdiv	Longfellow	LISTEN X Stop audio before closing
	Go where glory waits thee		Thomas Moore	LISTEN X Stop audio before closing
	How happy the lover		John Dryden	LISTEN X Stop audio before closing
	In pride of May		Thomas Weelkes	LISTEN X Stop audio before closing
	John Peel		Traditional	LISTEN X Stop audio before closing
	Love and Summer		Mary Rowles Jarvis	LISTEN X Stop audio before closing
	Pack, clouds, away		Thomas Heywood	LISTEN X Stop audio before closing
	Song of the silent land		Longfellow	LISTEN X Stop audio before closing
	Sweet western wind		Herrick	LISTEN X Stop audio before closing
	The Lass with the delicate air		Traditional	LISTEN X Stop audio before closing
	Wi’a hundred pipers	SATBdiv	Carolina Oliphant, Lady Nairne	LISTEN X Stop audio before closing
	We’re A’ Noddin’		Traditional Scots	LISTEN X Stop audio before closing
	Woodmen, Shepherds, come away	SSATB	James Shirley	LISTEN X Stop audio before closing