A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Goodban, Thomas
GOODBAN, Thomas, was born at Canterbury about 1780 [App. p.651 "Dec. 1784"]. His mother was a vocalist, and his father combined the three qualifications of violinist, lay vicar of the cathedral, and host of the Prince of Orange tavern, where in 1779 he founded the Canterbury Catch Club. At seven years old Goodban became a chorister of the cathedral under Samuel Porter. After leaving the choir he was placed in a solicitor's office, but on his father's death, about 1798, changed the legal profession for that of music. In 1809 he was appointed a lay clerk in the cathedral, and in 1810, on the retirement of his cousin, Osmond Saffrey, was made leader and director of the Catch Club. In 1819 the members of the club presented him with a silver bowl and salver as a token of esteem.
Goodban was author of some instruction books for the violin and pianoforte, and of 'The Rudiments of Music,' published about 1825, a work once highly popular. He was also the inventor of a 'Musical Game' for imparting elementary instruction, and of 'Musical Cards' for teaching the theory of music. He died in his 79th year, May 4, 1863, leaving three sons, all members of the musical profession, viz. Charles, Mus. Bac. Oxon. (now retired from practice), Henry William, violoncellist, and Thomas, viola-player. His nephew, James Frederic, is a violinist, and organist of St. John's, Paddington.