Thomas Chilcot facts for kids
Thomas Chilcot (born around 1707, died 1766) was a talented English musician. He was famous for playing the organ and writing music. He spent most of his life in the city of Bath, England.
Life of Thomas Chilcot
Thomas Chilcot was likely born in Bath, England, around 1707. His father was John Chilcot and his mother was Elizabeth Powell. Not many records from his early life have survived.
Thomas went to the Bath Charity School. The headmaster there, Henry Dixon, really loved church music. This might have sparked Thomas's interest in music too.
When Thomas was about 14, in 1721, he became an apprentice to Josiah Priest. Priest was the main organist at Bath Abbey. An apprentice learns a skill from an expert. Thomas learned how to play the organ and compose music from Priest.
Just four years later, in 1725, Josiah Priest passed away. Thomas Chilcot then became the organist at Bath Abbey. This was first a temporary job. But by 1728, his position became permanent.
As a musician in fashionable Bath, Chilcot became well-known. Many important families supported his work. This support helped him publish his music. He also became a leader in the Royal Cumberland Lodge of Freemasons. He was also one of the first members of the Royal Society of Musicians, which started in 1738.
Besides his work at the Abbey, Chilcot also put on large concerts. He would play his own music at these events. He also seemed to run a small business renting out musical instruments.
Thomas Chilcot died suddenly on November 24, 1766. He had been a very important person in Bath for forty years.
Thomas Chilcot's Music
Some of Thomas Chilcot's music was never published. This includes several anthems (church songs) and an oratorio (a large musical work) called Elfrida. Sadly, these pieces have not survived over time.
However, he did publish several collections of his music:
- Six Suites of Lessons for the Harpsicord or Spinet (published in London, 1734). These were pieces for keyboard instruments like the harpsichord.
- Twelve English Songs with their symphonies (published in London, around 1744). The words for these songs came from famous poets like William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe.
- Six Concertos, for the Harpsichord (published in London, 1756). A concerto is a piece of music for a solo instrument and an orchestra.
- Six Concertos, for the Harpsichord (published in Bath, 1765 or 1766). This was another collection of concertos.
