William Rhys-Herbert

Alias: W. H. Rees

Life

Born: 1868

Died: 1921

Biography

William Rhys-Herbert was born in Ffwrnas, South Wales. As a youth, he showed much musical talent and, saving his money, he bought a harmonium. He became the first organist at Jerusalem Chapel and studied with T. J. Davies of Swansea. He graduated from the London College of Music and went to Canada where he studied at Trinity University, Toronto. He emigrated to the U.S. and was appointed organist at Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and then was organist and choir director at the Church of the Redeemer, Minneapolis. He directed the Elks Glee Club and was principal accompanist to the Apollo Club. He composed numerous operettas for school performance, cantatas, songs, and part-songs. He also wrote choral music and piano sheet music under the pseudonym “W. H. Rees.” He died in Chicago after a brief illness at age 53.

View the Wikipedia article on William Rhys-Herbert.

List of choral works

Folksong arrangements

All through the night Believe me, if all those endearing young charms The blue bells of Scotland The boys of Wexford The cruiskeen lawn Flow gently, sweet Afton Go where glory waits thee

The harp that once thro’ Tara’s halls Let Erin remember the days of old The meeting of the waters The minstrel boy Molly Malone (Traditional) Norah, the pride of Kildare Oft, in the stilly night

O’Donnell Aboo! Robin Adair Silent, O Moyle! When he, who adores thee The young May moon

Partsongs and other arrangements

Come back to Erin Come out into the sunshine Kathleen Mavourneen The Kerry Dance (James Lynam Molloy)

Killarney The low back’d car O silent stars The old oaken bucket

See the harvest moon is shining The dear little shamrock When stars are in the quiet skies

 
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Publications

External websites:

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