May 19 - Alice Mary Smith (The Musical Birthday Series, 7th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for May 19th may be found here: Albert Hay Malotte (2019), Nellie Melba (2020), Nellie Melba (2021), Johann Jakob Froberger (2022), Albert Hay Malotte (2023), and Albert Hay Malotte; Grace Jones (2024)

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Alice Mary Smith (9 May 1839 – 4 December 1884) was an English composer. Her compositions included two symphonies  and a large collection of choral works, both sacred and secular. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Rites

Her anthems "Whoso hath this world's goods" and "By the waters of Babylon" were performed in a liturgical context at St Andrew's, Wells Street by Sir John Barnby in February 1864, making them the first recorded instance of music by a woman composer to be used for the liturgies of the Church of England. – Wikipedia

Alice Mary Smith

   Didn't have a name

That lent itself to myth

   Or legendary fame.

But if you do a search,

   Her bio makes it clear

That in the English church

   She was a pioneer,

So raise a festal sherry,

   A make a toast therewith,

Say something honorary

   For Alice Mary Smith!