The British Musical Biography

[E] Shelmerdine, William, organist and
conductor, born at Salford, Manchester.
Chorister in the Collegiate Church (now the
Cathedral). Studied in London, under Robert
Barnett, and Sterndale Bennett. Settled in
Melton Mowbray as a teacher. About 1850
he obtained the post of organist at the
Mechanics' Institute, Nottingham, and formed
a large vocal class in connection with it. This
afterwards became the Nottingham Sacred
Harmonic Society, Shelmerdine being at first
organist, and then conductor. He was also
organist at the Baptist Chapel, Derby Road,
soon after taking up his abode at Nottingham.
He was active as a teacher, and exerted great
influence in the town. In 1878 he retired,
and went to reside at Pwllheli, North Wales,
where he died, February 20, 189-3. He edited
a Collection of Psalms and Chants from the
old masters, London [1857] ; " 180 Chants,
ancient and modern," London, Virtue, 1861,
also 1864 ; The Amateur Pedalist, an intro-
duction to the use of the pedal organ [1858] ;
and composed sonic church music and songs.

entry id: 369-L-47