John Sale

John Sale (1758 – 11 November 1827) was an English bass singer of church music, and a singer and composer of glees.

Life He was born in London in 1758, the son of John Sale (1734–1802). From 1767 to 1775 Sale was a chorister of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle and of Eton College, and of both was lay vicar from 1777 to 1796. In 1788 he was appointed gentleman of the Chapel Royal, in 1795 vicar choral of St Paul's Cathedral, and in 1796 lay vicar of Westminster Abbey.

In 1800 he succeeded Richard Bellamy as Almoner of St Paul's and Master of the Choristers, which posts he held until 1812. In 1818, becoming senior gentleman or father of the Chapel Royal, he was excused further duty and attendance.

His obituary in The Harmonicon noted: "His aid was generally required in those charming glee parties which were formerly so much the fashion, where his smooth, agreeable voice, and subdued manner of using it, rendered him a valuable assistant."

Family Two sons had musical careers: John Bernard Sale (1779–1856) was a bass singer, and organist at St Margaret's, Westminster; George Charles Sale (1796–1869) was organist at St Mary's, Newington and later at St George's, Hanover Square.

Compositions Sale published, about 1800, A Collection of New Glees, including six original numbers for three and four voices: "My Phillida, adieu", "Thyrsis, the music of that murmuring spring", "With an honest old friend", "No glory I covet", "With my jug of brown ale" and "Sometimes a happy rustic swain". He also edited Lord Mornington's glees.