Thomas Ravenscroft

Though highly regarded as a composer by his contemporaries, Ravenscroft was mediocre at best displaying diverse talents but lacking any range, depth or substance. As a student and in service Ravenscroft sang at St. Paul's Cathedral until 1600 when he entered College receiving the Bachelors in Music from Cambridge around 1605. Little is known about his life from this time until 1618 when he taught at Christ's Hospital until 1622. Ravenscroft's important contributions to the world of music are contained in his "Pammelia" which is the first collection of rounds and catches from England including "Three Blind Mice." This was printed around 1609 followed by a collection of one hundred and five psalm settings (1621) fifty five of which were scored by Ravenscroft himself. Though he wrote the thesis "Briefe Discourse" in 1614 not much can be made of his discussion on the misuse of mensuration. ~ Keith Johnson