Charles Draper

Charles Draper (23 October 1869 – 21 October 1952) was an English classical clarinettist, sometimes described as the "grandfather of English clarinettists". he continued studying with Lazarus, who was the college's clarinet professor. The usual three-year scholarship was extended to five because of Draper's outstanding progress. Lazarus retired from the professorship in 1894 and Draper was then taught by the RCM's new clarinet professor, Julian Egerton. who in July that year helped Draper to gain his first professional appointment, with the Crystal Palace orchestra under August Manns. In 1905, together with the flautist Eli Hudson, Draper founded the New Symphony Orchestra, a cooperative, self-governing ensemble of 46 players. Within a year the orchestra had recruited Thomas Beecham as principal conductor; it flourished, eventually transforming itself into the Royal Albert Hall Orchestra.

Draper had a long association with the orchestras of the Royal Philharmonic Society, and the Leeds and Three Choirs festivals. He played first clarinet in the London Symphony Orchestra from time to time.

In 1923, Draper started his own firm, The Louis Musical Instrument Company, with premises in Chelsea. It made clarinets and other wind instruments, including three-hole pipes for the nascent folk-song movement. The company was later absorbed by Rudall Carte & Company.

Draper died in Surbiton on 21 October 1952, aged 82. He was buried in Putney Vale Cemetery. Paul Draper (1854–1922), bassoonist, teacher, military musician Marion Draper (1887–1964), violinist and pianist Haydn Draper (1889–1934), clarinettist, military and orchestral player Mendelssohn Draper (1891–1970), bass clarinet specialist, orchestral player Richard Draper (1857–1938), bassoonist, Queen's Hall Orchestra, D'Oyly Carte and Carl Rosa Opera companies Charles Draper (1869–1952), clarinettist Charles Carrington Draper (1897–1930), violinist Paul Beaumont Draper (1899–1971), bassoonist, founder member of the Melos Ensemble (1952)