William C. Clive manuscript music, 1877-1944

William Claude Clive was an influential composer, performer, director, violin maker and music teacher in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Born in Salt Lake City on April 15, 1860, to Claude Clive and Mary Ann Pull, William became interested in music as a young boy and began practicing the concertina, then the violin. He became so enthused that it was normal to find him playing with dedication in the early hours of the morning and late at night. Starting at age 11, he began playing with the Salt Lake Theater Orchestra and would later perform as part of a string quartet, as an acclaimed soloist and as director at the Grand Opera Theater. After a few years of practicing and hand-copying music (as printed music was scarce and expensive), Clive went to Mr. George Careless, a well-known teacher and performer in the area, for instruction in composing. In 1877 he published, “Alpha”, a choral anthem, in the Utah Music Times. This was the first of several publications over the course of his life, including “Come into his Fold” and “Melody in A”.

In 1895, Clive married Isabella Campbell and then served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Colorado between 1896 and 1898. William and Isabella had six children together, named William, Robert, Clifford, Agnes, Joseph and Anna. All of the Clive Children received music lessons as soon as they were able to carry a violin, with varying degrees of interest. In particular, Clifford C. Clive later became a prominent pianist and music teacher in Idaho.

In 1900, Clive left the Grand Opera Theater and devoted most of his life to teaching, with the occasional performance. He also made violins on the side, and the 35 violins which he constructed during his life time are still cherished as prized possessions.

After 64 years of teaching, on May 13, 1944, William C. Clive died in Overton, Nevada.