Gloria Ramirez was born June 22, 1958, in Galveston, Texas, to Juan and Oralia Ramirez. Juan’s primary place of employment was at Gene Hamon Ford, and Oralia was a homemaker raising four children while working at the Holiday Inn in Texas City, Texas. Gloria has one sister, Cecilia Parker of Fairview, and two brothers, David Ramirez of Manor and Johnny Ramirez, deceased.

Gloria’s parents, Juan and Oralia, were hardworking individuals who prioritized their children's well-being and tirelessly worked to provide them with a better life. Their unwavering support and encouragement nurtured Gloria's dreams and significantly shaped her character and achievements.

Gloria attended all of her public schooling in Texas City. Growing up, she had two passions: Sports and Music. These activities helped Gloria develop her hard work ethic, determination, and perseverance. She spent hours with her brothers fielding grounders and hitting pitches to help her become an “All-Star” softball player and a member of an undefeated team. Her mother and sister took her to watch the high school football games, rain or shine, and this is where she learned to understand the game of football, which came in handy once she became a band director.

Gloria credits her initial love for music to her parents, Juan and Oralia Ramirez, and her sister, Cecilia Parker. She remembers listening to Cecilia’s records of Herb Albert and being captivated by the sound of the trumpet. Gloria’s musical journey began in sixth grade at Roosevelt Wilson Elementary School in Texas City. It was here, under the instruction of Jim Brannon, that she learned to play the King cornet. She remembers how excited she was when she got her cornet. She couldn’t wait to get home and start playing, which posed a slight problem because she had not yet been taught how to play the cornet. But she didn’t let that stop her; she got a sound the first time she put air into the instrument—perhaps not a sound that resembled a cornet, but a sound, nonetheless. After a few minutes, Gloria took a closer look at the instrument, piece by piece. It seemed easy enough to take apart and put back together until she tried to play another sound. Unfortunately, this time, nothing sounded; it was as if someone had stuck something inside the instrument. Gloria began to panic. She couldn’t tell her parents she had already broken her instrument; she had it for less than an hour, so she decided to try taking it apart again, and it was then she noticed each valve and valve casing had correlating numbers. Once she got the valves back in the correct place, she made another sound, carefully put her cornet back in the case, and waited until she got to school to learn how to play.

Her love for music grew in seventh grade when she became a part of the Blocker Junior High School band program led by Connolly Cunningham. During this time, Gloria's talent as a musician began to shine, and by the end of eighth grade, she had set her sights on becoming a band director. Her experiences in the Texas City High School Stingaree Band, under the direction of esteemed Hall of Fame and Texas Bandmaster of the Year Educator Robert Renfroe, further fueled her desire to become a band director. During Gloria’s sophomore year, the band performed at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic with guest conductors James Matthews, Leonard Falcone, Arnald Gabriel, and William D Revelli. In her senior year, the band traveled to Washington, D.C., to represent the State of Texas in a performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
After graduating high school, Gloria attended the University of Houston, where she studied from 1976 to 1981. She had the privilege of learning from esteemed educators such as Bill Moffit, James Austin, and Eddie Green. Her dedication and hard work culminated in her graduating with a bachelor's degree in music education.

Having completed her studies at the University of Houston, Gloria began her career as an assistant band director at Kingwood Middle School in Humble ISD in 1981. In 1984, she was named the head director, and under her leadership, the band placed fourth in the 1C State Honor Band competition in 1987.

After eleven successful years at Kingwood Middle School, Gloria moved to Wells Middle School in Spring ISD in 1992, remaining until 2003. She was surrounded by some of the top music educators in the state, and under the guidance of Richard Crain (HOF 2001) and Eddie Green (HOF 2005), Gloria’s career flourished. The Wells Middle School bands were consistent sweepstakes winners, won numerous awards, and placed second and third in the 3C State Honor Band competition.

In 2003, Gloria moved to Langham Creek High School in Cypress Fairbanks ISD as associate director and co-director when the Langham Creek Symphonic Band was named the 2006 TMEA 5A State Honor Band. In 2008, Gloria became the Director of Bands at Langham Creek High School, a position she held until 2020. During her tenure, the Langham Creek Marching Band advanced to the State Marching Competition in 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2016. The Langham Creek Symphonic Band’s achievements were equally impressive, placing sixth in the 6A State Honor Band competition in 2016, named National Wind Band Honors “Winners” and performed in Carnegie Hall and Symphony Hall, home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In 2020, the Langham Creek Band Program received the Outstanding Program Award from the Texas Chapter of the American School Band Directors Association.

Gloria is a Grammy-nominated Music Educator, was twice named Teacher of the Year, a TMEA Leadership and Award recipient and was featured on the cover of the International Musician Instrumentalist Magazine. She is a TBA, TMAA, TMEA, Phi Beta Mu, and NBA member. She has presented clinics at the Midwest Clinic and TBA conventions and has served as an adjudicator for the TMEA State Honor Band Finals. Her name is listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, and she is the recipient of the Meritorious Achievement Award presented by the TBA Board of Directors in Recognition of Exemplary Professionalism and Invaluable Contribution to the Education of Young People Through the Band Medium. In 2019, Gloria was awarded the UIL Sponsor Excellence Award, created to identify and recognize outstanding sponsors who assist students in developing and refining their extracurricular talents to the highest degree possible within the educational system.

Individuals in this profession have undoubtedly had a profound impact on Gloria. She would like to recognize them for their great friendship and love. Gloria will be forever grateful to Richard Crain, Fine Arts Director of Spring ISD, and the incomparable Eddie Green. It cannot be stated enough how important these two icons were to Gloria’s teaching. They provided countless hours of guidance throughout her career. Mr. Green showed her a new level of teaching that would change the sound of her ensembles. He will always be remembered and greatly loved and appreciated.

Gloria would like to thank Cypress Fairbanks ISD Directors of Fine Arts - Bill Quillen, Larry Matysiak (HOF 2018), and Mary Running for their support in making great
things happen for the band program. Gloria will always be grateful to Robert and Delic Loyde for meeting and interviewing her at the TBA barbecue and hiring her for her first job as Robert Loyde’s assistant director.

Gloria aimed to be the best band director possible by working hard, asking many questions, and surrounding herself with successful directors who shared her passion. She will always be indebted to these mentors, colleagues, and friends: Rebecca May, Jim Blacksher, Arthur Miller, Waymon Bullock (HOF 2002), Mel Montgomery (HOF 1994), Rick Ghinelli, Bill Watson (HOF 2022), Philip Geiger (HOF 2021), Sharon Kalisek, David Brandon, Lamar Burkhalter, Scott McAdow (HOF 2022), Tom Bennett (HOF 2015), Tye Ann Payne, Denis Kidwell and Tim Newburn.
Gloria would also like to thank the directors who worked closely with her, better known as her “guys” - Joe Nuñez, Brian Moran, Alex Denton, Marshall Thomas, and Jeremy Figlewiz. Their support, shared guidance, technology help, and fun times still make her smile.

Early in Gloria’s career, there were very few women in the profession. She is thankful for the influence of all the ladies who came before her, especially Barbara Lambrecht (HOF 2009), Marion West (HOF 2015), and Sharon Prince (HOF 2020). Gloria’s peers in the early 80s set the stage for future women in our field, to name a few: Dena Steed, Linda Tiner, Cindy Lansford (HOF 2020), Cindy Bulloch (HOF 2023), Susan Scarborough (HOF 2022), Nancy Caston (HOF 2022), Jill Yancey, Melodianne Mallow, Charlotte Royall (HOF 2023), Jolette Wine (HOF 2023), Bethann Adams (HOF 2024) and many more. Seeing the positive changes being made in the profession is gratifying and encouraging.

Gloria would like to offer her heartfelt thanks to Holly Cravy and Missy Allen, two of her closest friends, confidants, and supporters. There is no way to express how significant these two ladies have been in her professional and personal life.
Gloria would like to thank the hundreds of dedicated band parents who selflessly served the band students and directors. One of Gloria’s most profound joys was sharing her love for music with her students. Her dedication to their personal and musical growth was unwavering, and she took immense pride in witnessing their journey as students and watching them grow into individuals who make a difference in society; they made her a better teacher. There are not enough words to completely convey her sincere gratitude and appreciation for their dedication, patience, enthusiasm, willingness to share their lives, and trust in her leadership and vision. She will be forever grateful.

In 2020 Gloria retired from band directing after thirty-nine years of dedicated service. However, her commitment to the field continues as she serves as a University of Houston student teacher supervisor, mentor to younger directors, consultant, and clinician.

In 2021, Gloria was delivered what could have been a devastating blow, having been diagnosed with stage four Cancer. But Gloria is in remission with the support and prayers of her family, friends, a great medical team, and her faith in God. She credits her success in life to her parents and the hard-working, loving, and Godly example they set for their family. She now enjoys spending time with her sister, brother, and all her great and great-great nieces and nephews. Gloria would be remiss not to mention how blessed she was when she found her rescue dog “Max.” He is her shadow, keeper of secrets, cheerleader, exercise partner, and constantly making her laugh. She often wonders who rescued who.
Teaching music has been and continues to be her lifelong passion and joy. She feels blessed to have the opportunity to serve others through her work. Gloria humbly acknowledges Phi Beta Mu Alpha Chapter for the incredible honor bestowed upon her, expressing her heartfelt gratitude.