Most of Taylor's surviving compositions were written with the intention of teaching. They include harpsichord sonatas, string sonatas, divertimenti, vocal works and the energetic opera "The Ethiop." He was a choirboy at the Chapel Royal and sang in the funeral service for Handel. He became an organist for Chelmsford in 1765 and moved to the United States in 1792. Taylor was very active in the musical life of Philadelphia where he was the organist at St. Peter's and promoted music in the theatre. In 1820 he helped to found the Musical Fund Society. Taylor was also well known as a gifted keyboard performer and improviser. Vocal compositions scored by Taylor included operas, glees, church anthems and theatrical songs. He had a flare for the comic. ~ Keith Johnson, Rovi