Eric Francis Harrison Coates was born on August 27, 1886, in Hucknall Torkard, Nottinghamshire, England. He began his musical education at age six, initially learning the violin before switching to the viola under George Ellenberger's tutelage. In 1906, he enrolled at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Coates composed songs that were featured in RAM concerts while still a student. After graduating, he joined the Hambourg Quartet and later became part of the Cathie and Walenn quartets. He gave up playing the viola permanently in 1919 and focused on composition. His notable works include "By the Sleepy Lagoon" (1930) and "The Dam Busters March" (1954). Coates's compositions were influenced by Arthur Sullivan and Edward German but evolved to incorporate jazz elements. He passed away on December 21, 1957.
