William Roy

William Roy was a composer, pianist and songwriter, known for his 1953 musical Maggie.

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About

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Roy began, at the age of three, to be a child actor on the radio. By the time he was 12, he was working regularly in Hollywood. He attended the Hollywood Professional School and studied music as well.

Most of his songs were written for night clubs and in a cabaret style, but he has some more traditional art song, such as “This Little Rose,” which sets the text of Emily Dickinson. Roy has also set the texts of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Sara Teasdale.

He was well-known as an accompanist for Julie Wilson, a cabaret star, and appeared with her on many recordings. He performed often in New York City and wrote dozens of topical songs about places in New York.

–Christie Finn

Related Information

Songs

Recordings

The Poetess Sings

(Ernst Bacon, Aaron Copland, John Woods Duke, Lee Hoiby, Otto Luening and William Roy)

2002

Sheet Music

Songs by 22 Americans

Composer(s): Samuel Barber
Leonard Bernstein
Paul Bowles
John Alden Carpenter
Celius Dougherty
John Duke
Charles Tomlinson Griffes
Richard Hageman
Charles Naginski
William Roy
Gladys Rich
Virgil Thomson
Elinor Remick Warren

Voice Type: High

Buy via Sheet Music Plus

This Little Rose

Composer(s): William Roy

Voice Type: High

Buy via Sheet Music Plus

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