Meet Ima Hogg Competition Semi-finalist August Ramos! This talented musician is currently beginning his senior year of double bass studies at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music under the tutelage of Tim Pitts. We recently got a chance to ask Sam a few questions about himself and his musical life.
Houston Symphony: Where did you grow up and how did that community affect whom you have become?
August Ramos: I grew up in Brookline, MA, 10 minutes from Symphony Hall in Boston. Getting to hear the Boston Symphony regularly kindled my love of music and inspired me to try to make my own career in music.
HS: Are there other musical people in your family? What have you learned from them? If you are the only musical person in your family, how have they encouraged your musical career?
AR: My dad played guitar at Berkley for a period of time so he introduced me to music at a very young age and made me learn to play guitar. I learned a lot about working hard on my instrument from him.
HS: At what age did you begin playing your instrument and what memories do you have of your first rehearsals or performances?
AR: I began playing bass in fourth grade when I was 9, but I didn’t take lessons until I was 11. I remember my first string orchestra rehearsal trying to figure out what “p” and “ƒ” meant.
HS: What has been the most exciting event for you in your musical career?
AR: Getting to play with the Boston Symphony in their annual Tanglewood Beethoven 9 concert last year.
HS: Do you have any pre-performance habits or rituals?
AR: Not particularly. I trust that my performance will go well if I’ve prepared well. However, I like showing up with plenty of time because I get less nervous when time doesn’t feel like an issue.
HS: Who are some of your most profound influences and what is the impact they have had on you?
AR: The bass playing in the Boston Symphony profoundly shaped the way I think about playing music, especially the playing of Edwin Barker. In recent years, the wonderful teachers Timothy Pitts and Paul Ellison have helped turn me into a much more competent musician.
HS: Who is the most famous person you have met or worked with?
AR: I’ve played in masterclasses for Edgar Meyer and Glenn Dicterow.
HS: What have you been listening to lately?
AR: Brahms 2 (Chicago w/ Barenboim), Schubert 9 (Vienna w/ Muti), Also Sprach Zarathustra (Chicago w/Solti), Something (The Beatles) and Mahler 3 (Berlin w/ Nagano).
HS: What are some of your favorite TV shows?
AR: Doctor Who, Rick and Morty, Cosmos.
HS: Do you have a favorite sports team?
AR: The Boston Red Sox.
HS: Do you have a favorite food?
AR: Artichokes!
HS: What is your favorite city or travel destination?
AR: I always love getting back to Boston.
HS: Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
AR: I love science. I try to learn facts about science and keep updated on the new theories that come up.
See August Ramos perform for FREE at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music on Thursday, June 2. And don’t forget to get tickets to the Finals Concert!
