John Rose was born in London of Dutch parents. He was educated at the Diocesan College, Cape Town, where two of his works were performed by the C.T. Municipal Orchestra. Following this, he studied at the RAM, and at Oxford under Edmund Rubbra. His teaching career has been mainly in adult education, as founder of the St. Alban’s Chamber Choir, as lecturer in F.E., Glasgow, and at various times, as lecturer for extra-mural departments. Formative experiences in Cape Town and at Oxford contributed to the subsequent composition of three substantial works on Latin texts, and two organ works. The organ works have their roots in the Netherlands-North German tradition of organ music, and have been recorded by Kevin Bowyer.

[Biography from the Scottish Music Centre]