William Billings

William Billings (October 7, 1746 – September 26, 1800) is regarded as the first American choral composer.

Virtually all of Billings' music was written for four-part chorus, singing a cappella. His many hymns and anthems were published mostly in book-length collections, as The New-England Psalm-Singer (1770), The Singing Master's Assistant (1778), Music in Miniature (1779) and others. Sometimes Billings would revise and improve a song, including the new version in his next volume.

Billings' music can be at times forceful and stirring, as in his patriotic song "Chester"; ecstatic, as in his hymn "Africa"; or elaborate and celebratory, as in his "Easter Anthem." "Jargon," from Singing Master's Assistant, shows his wit. Written as an answer to a criticism of his use of harmony, "Jargon" contains a tongue-in-cheek text, and jarring dissonances that sound more like those of the 20th century than of the 18th. He also wrote several Christmas carols, including "Judea" in 1778 and "Shiloh" in 1781.

Billings died in poverty in Boston on September 26, 1800, leaving behind a widow and six children. His funeral was announced in the Columbian Centinel: "Died- Mr William Billings, the celebrated music composer. His funeral will be tomorrow at 4 o'clock, PM from the house of Mrs Amos Penniman, in Chamber-street, West-Boston."