Printed: 2013-05-20
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Emerson, John
Identity area
Type of entity
Person
Authorized form of name
Emerson, John
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Description area
Dates of existence
1911-1968
History
John Emerson was born in Vancouver on March 13, 1911. He was educated at Lord Robert Grade School, King George High School and the University of British Columbia. Emerson studied as a violinist under the tutelage of Holroyd Paul and in 1920, won the gold medal at the B.C. Music Festival. He subsequently switched to the piano as his major instrument and by 1929 was a student at UBC. During the 1930s he had his own Radio series on CJOR and worked on CNR Alaska cruise ships. He was involved in many CBC productions as an actor. Between 1954 and 1956, he created tab versions of well-known musical comedies at the Arctic Club. In 1956 he married Mary McLeod of Vancouver. Their son Jean was born in 1957. He was Musical Director for the productions of "Salad Days", 1963, and "The Fantasticks", 1964 at the Freddie Wood Theatre. In 1964 illness forced his retirement. He died in 1968.
