Francis Coleman

Francis Arthur Coleman (12 January 1924 – 10 April 2008) was a Canadian television producer, director, author, and orchestral conductor who pioneered arts and music programming in the United Kingdom.

Early life and education Francis Arthur Coleman was born on 12 January 1924 in French-speaking Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to an Irish father and a French mother. He was educated at McGill University before continuing his musical studies at the Conservatoire de musique et d'art dramatique du Québec and the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. He further developed his conducting technique under the tutelage of Pierre Monteux, attending two of the maestro's summer schools in Maine.

Career Musical career Following his education, Coleman established himself as an orchestral conductor, finding regular engagement with the Royal Canadian Air Force Band (RCAF Band), various choirs, and travelling opera companies. He was subsequently appointed as the first musical director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB). In the early 1950s, he also conducted concerts and variety shows for the radio services of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

Coleman died on 10 April 2008 in Haringey, Greater London, England. He was 84.