John Metcalf MBE (born 1946) is a British and Canadian composer. He has worked in many forms, including large-scale operas, choral and orchestral works, and a great deal of chamber music, both instrumental and vocal. His music is tonal, and is often rhythmically complex, with much use of polyrhythms.
Metcalf was born in Swansea, and was educated at Dean Close School, Cheltenham.
Alongside his composing work, he was Artistic Director of the Banff Centre, Canada, for ten years, and Diector of the Swansea Festival until 2007. He is presently Artistic Director of the Vale of Glamorgan Festival, and also teaches at the annual MusicFest Aberystwyth. During his time in Banff, a number of his operas, starting with Tornrak were workshopped there.
Several of his works are available on the album "In Time of Daffodils". This includes "Paradise Haunts", "Three Mobiles" and "In Time of Daffodils". These pieces are performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Excerpts from "Paradise Haunts" were used as part of the Queensland Ballet Company production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Metcalf was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2012 New Year Honours for services to music.[1]