William Stanley

William Stanley (1820–1902) was an English-born Australian classical music composer, conductor and performer.

Early life Stanley was born in Egham, near Windsor, England, the son of William Sexton and Ann Stanley. Sexton, who was the organist at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle (1801–1824), married Ann in 1819. After Sexton's death, Ann married William Best (1803–1880) in 1827. Best was an oboist or trumpeter with the King's Band (under the control of the Master of the King's Musick). Ann died on 14 May 1828, one month after giving birth to Stanley's half-sister, Emma. This left Stanley and two younger sisters in Best's care.

Stanley, under the name of Sexton, was a member of the choir of St George's Chapel, and is said to have sung at the funeral of King George IV there in 1830. Recognised as a musical prodigy at an early age (he could play complex compositions on the piano at sight), his step-father provided some instruction but, having a large family to support, could not afford the training Stanley required. By the age of 9 he composed a series of variations on "God Save the King".

His step-father's connections with the Royal Household no doubt got him the opportunity to perform his own compositions before Queen Adelaide.

Australian career His first performance in Australia opened the Royal Victoria Theatre, Sydney. Another of Stanley's earliest piano performances in Sydney was at the Royal Hotel on 17 October 1838. A concerto by Henri Herz showed him "at once to be a master of this instrument". He accompanied many visiting performers, including Sara Flower, Miska Hauser, and Anna Bishop. and Christ Church St Laurence (1870–1882). At the time of his death, he was said to be Australia's oldest pianist.

Stanley's Rose Bay Quadrilles were arranged for guitar duet by Peter Sculthorpe

Works 1850 Tell Him I love him yet The Sydney Polka (1851) Rose Bay Quadrilles 1863 The NSW Volunteer Rifles Quick March 1863 Heliotrope Mazurka 1879 Sydney international exhibition grand march 1893 Bay View Gavotte