Charles Draper

Charles Draper (23 October 1869 – 21 October 1952) was a British classical clarinetist, sometimes described as the grandfather of English clarinetists.

Draper was born in Odcombe, Somerset.He came from a musical family, his father and brother, having been cellists and clarinetists, respectively.In 1888, he studied with Henry Lazarus, and he won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music where he continued as a student of Lazarus until the latter's retirement.He also studied for a year under Julian Egerton.He premiered Stanford's Clarinet Concerto in 1903 with the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra.Stanford's Clarinet Sonata was also dedicated to Draper.Draper was also a notable teacher, teaching at the Royal College of Music, Trinity College of Music, and Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and counting Frederick Thurston among his students.His son, Paul Beaumont Draper, was also an accomplished bassoonist.Draper died in Surbiton, aged 82.