MY BACKGROUND

Born into a musical family, Charles Harrison[LMusTCL, BA(Hons.)Ebor] attended the prestigous Durham Chorister School as a young boy and eventually became Head Chorister at Durham Cathedral.

 

As a boy he studied piano under Keith Wright, sub-organist at Durham Cathedral, and played the cornet and trumpet in brass bands and orchestras around the North East, becoming principal cornet in the South Tyneside Brass Band Scheme's premiere band. It was towards the end of his time at Durham that Charles began to study the electric guitar and contemporary music.

 

As a teenager, he attended the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle, where he took great pride in immersing himself in the activities of the music department and would eventually earn the school's music award for his contributions. 

 

During this time, Charles also studied under David Murray, James Birkett and Philip Sanderson among others at The Sage Gateshead Weekend School, where he discovered his passion for music theory, first sitting his Grade 8 ABRSM Music Theory and then completing his Theory, Criticism and Literature of Music Diploma with Trinity College London (LMusTCL) all whilst studying for his GCSEs and A Levels. Charles also performed in youth ensembles including Young Sinfonia (orchestra), Quay Voices (choir), Rocket Science (fusion band) and Jambone (big band). 

 

After leaving RGS, Charles gained a scholarship to the prestigous Berklee College of Music, Boston, but instead accepted his place at The University of York to study the organ under Roger Tebbet, director of Music at Selby Abbey. Charles was guitarist for York University's jazz orchestra and played with many notable musicians, including Julian Arguelles, Nikki Isles, Martin France and John Taylor. He graduated in 2013 having achieved a first in his electric guitar final recital.

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Since graduating, Charles has worked in colleges, secondary and primary schools, churches and community centres throughout the North East, as well as teaching privately. Gaining experience working with students of all ages and abilities on the piano, trumpet, guitar and singing, spanning all genres from jazz to classical. His lessons are tailor-made for each student, providing applicable and comprehensible advice to help them achieve any goal they wish. Charles's students have gone on to study at colleges and universities around the country, and he has even had some students go on to become Durham Cathedral Choristers as he was!

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More recently, Charles's focus has been on his internet presence and his growing Youtube channel 'Charles Harrison Music'.