Charles Ramirez

Charles Ramirez

Charles Ramirez (born 1953 in Gibraltar) is a professor of guitar at the Royal College of Music.

Biography

Early life

Charles Ramirez was born in Gibraltar in 1953. On his ninth birthday, his uncle let him choose between a guitar and a harmonica as a present. He chose the harmonica. A few years later, the same uncle gave him a choice between a guitar and a typewriter. This time he chose the guitar. William Gomez gave him his first lessons and such was his aptitude that, just two months later, he gave his first performance live on local television (Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation). From then on he appeared regularly in recitals, on television and radio as well as later as a soloist with an orchestra.

Royal College of Music

In 1971, Ramirez entered the Royal College of Music as a student, where he studied guitar with Patrick Bashford and composition with Stephen Dodgson. Whilst at college, he won the Jack Morrison guitar prize.

Ramirez was appointed Professor of Guitar at the Royal College of Music in 1978 and also teaches in the College’s Junior Department. He has recently been appointed by Trinity College of Music to devise the syllabus for their international guitar grade examinations.

Career

Ramirez made his professional debut on London’s South Bank in 1974 and has since given many concerts and master classes both in Britain and abroad. He has broadcast regularly for Radio 3, his first programme being chosen for 'Pick of the Week'. He has a special interest in modern contemporary music and has given the world premier of large-scale works by Erika Fox, John Lambert and Jeremy Dale-Roberts, all commissioned by the Arts Council of Great Britain.

References

Charles Ramirez currently works 2 days a week teaching guitar to students at Latymer Upper School in London.

See also

• List of Gibraltarians
• Music of Gibraltar