Charles Shere

Full biography Charles Shere

Charles Shere was a composer, music critic and author born on August 20, 1935 in Berkeley, California. He was a well-known Bay Area music presence for six decades, and passed away on December 19, 2020. Shere was not only known as a composer, but also for his contributions to the music journalism industry. He was music director at the radio station KPFA in Berkeley, where he produced the first radio biography of composer Charles Ives.

Shere's works as a composer include pieces for piano, violin, percussion, and more. In 2020, a trio for violin, piano and percussion was released in honor of Shere's 85th birthday. Shere was also a writer, having produced articles that spanned music, theater and general assignment culture stories. One article in particular, "The Eastside View: Mildred Howard's Spirit and Matter," written by Shere, has been praised for how deeply intriguing it is.

Shere's work as a music critic includes writing reviews of performances at a wide variety of venues, as well as interviewing and profiling other composers. He was particularly supportive of Morton Feldman, frequently praising him in his reviews. In a 1967 interview with Feldman, Shere stated that Feldman had always made life more hopeful for him than other composers.

In addition to his contributions to the music industry , Shere was also married to Lindsey Shere, a pastry chef and author. Together, the Sheres were a creative force, with Charles composing and Lindsey creating dessert menus to complement music performances.

Overall, Charles Shere was a talented and influential composer, music critic and author who made significant contributions to the Bay Area music scene, both as a composer and a critical voice.