A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Elvey, Stephen

ELVEY, Stephen, Mus. Doc., the elder brother of the preceding, was born in Canterbury, June 27, 1805. He was entered as a chorister of the cathedral under Skeats, whose pupil he continued after the breaking of his voice. On the death of Alfred Bennett in 1830, Elvey was appointed his successor as organist of New College, Oxford. In the following year he took the degree of Bachelor of Music at Oxford, his exercise being the hymn from Thomson's 'Seasons,' 'These as they change.' In 1838 he proceeded Doctor of Music, his exercise being an anthem, 'Great is the Lord!' He was Choragus of the University from 1840 till his death, Oct. 6, 1860. Stephen Elvey a compositions are not numerous; they consist chiefly of chants and services. His Evening Service, composed in continuation of Dr. Croft's Morning Service in A, and his 'Psalter and Canticles pointed' (Oxford, Parker), are well known. Some years before his death he had to submit to the amputation of a leg, through a gun accident whilst shooting.

[ W. H. H. ]