John Beckwith studied at Toronto University and in Paris with Nadia Boulanger. He served as a teacher for Toronto University and as music critic and columnist for the Toronto Star. A prolific composer, his work included ballets, chamber operas and many choral pieces. Many of his later works were collage pieces that utilized text and theatre as well as music. This method of composition is evident in the series Canada Dash, Canada Dot, commissioned by the CBC. Beckwith insisted that he was not a nationalist. However, he consistently wrote from his home in southern Ontario and stated that "I believe in the importance of environment, local colour, 'accent.' Music...achieves universality at least partly through loving care and attention paid to these things." John Beckwith died December 5, 2022 while in treatment for pneumonia at a hospital in Toronto. He was 95 years of age.