A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Hayes, William
HAYES, WILLIAM, Mus. Doc., born at Gloucester [App. p.670 "Hexham"] in 1707, became a chorister of the cathedral there under William Hine. He was articled to Hine, and soon became distinguished as an organist. After the expiration of his articles he obtained the appointment of organist at St. Mary's Church, Shrewsbury. In 1731 he became organist of Worcester Cathedral, which he resigned in 1734 on being appointed organist and master of the choristers at Magdalen College, Oxford. He graduated at Oxford as Mus. Bac. July 8, 1735. On Jan. 14, 1742, he succeeded Richard Goodson as Professor of Music in the University. On the opening of the Radcliffe Library Hayes directed the performance, and was on that occasion created Doctor of Music, April 14, 1749. In 1763 Dr. Hayes became a competitor for the prizes then first offered by the Catch Club, and obtained three for his canons, 'Alleluja' and 'Miserere nobis,' and his glee, 'Melting airs soft joys inspire.' He conducted the music at the Gloucester Festival in 1763. His compositions comprise 'Twelve Arietts or Ballads and Two Cantatas,' 1735; 'Collins's Ode on the Passions'; 'Vocal and Instrumental Music containing I. The Overture and Songs in the Masque of Circe, II. A Sonata or Trio and Ballads, Airs, and Cantatas, III. An Ode being part of an Exercise performed for a Bachelor's Degree in Music,' 1742; 'Catches, Glees, and Canons'; 'Cathedral Music' (Services and Anthcms), 1795; 'Instrumental Accompaniments to the Old Hundredth Psalm, for the Sons of the Clergy'; and 'Sixteen Psalms from Merrick's Version.' He was author of 'Remarks on Mr. Avison's Essay on Musical Expression,' 1762. He died at Oxford July 30 [App. p.670 "July 27"], 1777, and was buried in the Churchyard of St. Peter in the East.
William Hayes, jun., third son of the above, was born in 1741, and on June 27, 1749, was admitted a chorister of Magdalen College. He resigned in 1751. He matriculated from Magdalen Hall, July 16, 1757, graduated as B.A. April 7, 1761, M.A. Jan. 15, 1764, was admitted a clerk of Magdalen College, July 6, 1764, and resigned in 1765 on obtaining a minor canonry in Worcester Cathedral. On Jan. 14, 1766, he was appointed minor canon of St. Paul's Cathedral, and made 'junior cardinal' in 1783. He was also Vicar of Tillingham, Essex. He died Oct. 22, 1790. In May 1765 he contributed to the Gentleman's Magazine a paper entitled, 'Rules necessary to be observed by all Cathedral Singers in this Kingdom.'