Raymond Mason is a sophomore trombonist pursuing his B.M. in Instrumental Performance at NYU Steinhardt.  He is presently studying with Steinhardt trombone faculty members Tom Hutchinson, who is Principal Trombonist of the New York City Opera, and Mark Patterson, trombonist for the revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "South Pacfic".  Previous teachers include Brian Mahany, Marshall Gilkes, David Langlitz, Principal of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and Raymond Munnecom, bass trombonist of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Raymond began playing trombone in grade school and by high school was performing in such venues as The Tilles Center at C.W. Post, Eastman Theatre (with the NY All-State Symphony Orchestra), Alice Tully Hall, and Avery Fisher Hall, where he performed a premiere of Erik Satie's "Aubude" arranged for solo trombone and orchestra by Matthew Pierce.  By freshman year Raymond was performing with The Rockaway-Five Towns Symphony Orchestra, The Gilbert and Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island (H.M.S. Pinafore and Yeoman of The Guard), and The Queens Festival Band as a featured soloist.  This past summer, Raymond played alto trombone for the performances of William Brandt's "Orbits: A Spatial Symphonic Ritual for 80 trombones, organ, and soprano soloist", at the Guggenheim Museum.  In addition to these engagements, Raymond has been principal trombonist for the NYU Brass Choir, NYU Symphony Orchestra, and the NYU theatre productions of Alan Menken and Tim Rice's "King David", B
ernstein's "Trouble in Tahiti", and Kander and Ebb's "Kiss of The Spiderwoman".

Outside of the classical realm, Raymond has played lead trombone in the NYU Steinhardt Bebop Big Band under the direction of Grammy award-winning Steinhardt Jazz faculty member, trumpeter Brian Lynch, and with ensembles directed by (Steinhardt faculty member) Ralph Lalama and Billy Drewes, both members of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.  Raymond has recorded with Billy Drewes and his Classical Improvisation Ensemble and for a project featuring (Steinhardt faculty member) Kenny Werner, (Steinhardt faculty member) Joe Lovano, and Judi Silvano which will be released on Half Note Records this winter.  Lastly, Raymond has had the pleasure of performing at Madison Square Garden with the band Weezer and at numerous venues around the east coast and midwest with his reggae and soul band, Royal City Riot, which will be releasing a new CD this fall on Megalith Records.