Michael Broom (or, more often, Broome) started life by being born in Abingdon about 1700, where he lived, worked and was married. He subsequently moved to Birmingham, via Isleworth – then Middlesex, now London – where he set himself up as a printer of music, as well as a publisher and a music shopkeeper. He became the parish clerk of St Philip’s Church, and founder of the musical society there.
He was essentially a collector of music, which he copied and set in his publications. He is considered to be the first printer who set up in Birmingham.
His first book, modestly entitled Michael Broom’s Collection of Church Musick, carries no imprint but has an inscription date of 1725, the year of his marriage in Abingdon. Broome renounced his peripatetic career in favour of a permanent business and urban life. [David Hunter: English Country Psalmodists and their Publications, 1700-1760]
One of his books of music is thus entitled:
- A Collection of Twenty-Eight Psalm Tunes in Four Parts by several Authors Printed to the new Version of the Psalms for the use of Churches and Chapels in and near Birmingham. Collected and Sold by Michael Broome and may be had of Thos. Aris Printer in Birmgm. Price stitched 1s. 9d. 1753.
and also,
- Michael Broom’s Collection of Church Musick , 1726 e BrooMMBC aa