Ramon Antonio Molina Pacheco was born in the town of Moca, the 19 of December of 1925, and some years later already he was well-known like one of the most excellent musicians of the region. He initiated his studies in the Municipal Academy of Music under the trusteeship of Maestro Arístides Rojas. There he learned solfeo and musical theory and began like trompetist. Quickly he entered the "Banda Municipal" occupying the seat of solist trompetist and in the Academy he was solfeo professor.
After to have played in the most famous orchestras of the Cibao, in 1942, he was contracted as first trompet of the "Orchesta San jóse" in "La Voz del Yuna". The group, that was the most prestigious of its time, was directed by Julio Gutiérrez, Avelino Muñoz and the man himself, Papa Molina.
In his extensive work like composer, the Maestro Molina has created essential pieces in the Dominican music of century XX, among them we can name the bolero "Evocación", that was recorded by Alcy Sánchez and Alberto Beltrán with the support of the orchestra of Billo Frómeto; by Rafael Colón, with the orchestra of Johnny Ventura; and by Betty Missiego, with the orchestra of Bertico Sosa. Also great popularity enjoyed at this moment the piece "Gozo por ti", bolero which was registered in the voice of Alberto Beltrán accompanied by the San jóse orchestra and the choir of "La voz de la Yuna".
Lope Balaguer placed at the top of the popularity the bolero "Nunca te lo he dicho", and Elenita Santos, with Rafael Colón and the orchestra of Johnny Ventura, "Cuando volveré a verte". The Maestro Papa Molina, throughout his prolific musical carreer, has created symphonic works of great value, among them his "Tres imágenes folklóricas", work that he finished writing in November of 1990 and that shortly after was released by the National Symphony orchestra, where it has been since then in the repertoire that regularly interprets that institution.


This text is taken from "Los cien músicos del siglo" and translated, published in 2000 by "Cañabrava", in Santo Domingo and written by "el Lic. Antonio Gómez Sotolongo"