Mason Jones (16 June 1919,

Hamilton, New York Hamilton is a town in Madison County, New York, United States. The population was 6,690 at the 2010 census. The town is named after American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. The Town of Hamilton contains a village also named Hamilton, the s ...

– 18 February 2009,

Wynnewood, Pennsylvania Wynnewood is a suburban unincorporated community, located west of Philadelphia, straddling Lower Merion Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and Haverford Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The community was named in 1691 for Dr. ...

) was an American horn player and music educator who had a lengthy association with the

Philadelphia Orchestra The Philadelphia Orchestra is an American symphony orchestra, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. One of the " Big Five" American orchestras, the orchestra is based at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, where it performs its subscription ...

as principal hornist under conductor

Eugene Ormandy Eugene Ormandy (born Jenő Blau; November 18, 1899 – March 12, 1985) was a Hungarian-born American conductor and violinist, best known for his association with the Philadelphia Orchestra, as its music director. His 44-year association wit ...

. He also served as principal hornist of the

United States Marine Band The United States Marine Band is the premier band of the United States Marine Corps. Established by act of Congress on July 11, 1798, it is the oldest of the United States military bands and the oldest professional musical organization in the ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

and was the head of the horn faculty at the

Curtis Institute of Music The Curtis Institute of Music is a private conservatory in Philadelphia. It offers a performance diploma, Bachelor of Music, Master of Music in opera, and a Professional Studies Certificate in opera. All students attend on full scholarship. Hi ...

from 1946–1995. He was a founding member of the

Philadelphia Woodwind Quintet Mason Jones (16 June 1919, Hamilton, New York – 18 February 2009, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania) was an American horn player and music educator who had a lengthy association with the Philadelphia Orchestra as principal hornist under conductor Eugene Or ...

and the

Philadelphia Brass Ensemble Mason Jones (16 June 1919, Hamilton, New York – 18 February 2009, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania) was an American horn player and music educator who had a lengthy association with the Philadelphia Orchestra as principal hornist under conductor Eugene ...

Life and career

Born in Hamilton, New York, Jones began his professional studies in 1936 at the

as a pupil of

Anton Horner Anton Horner (June 21, 1877 – December 4, 1971) was an American horn player. He was part of the Philadelphia Orchestra for 44 years and served and for 28 years its solo horn player. He is credited for introducing the double horn to the United Sta ...

. In 1938 he was hired by Ormandy as third horn for the Philadelphia Orchestra and a year later replaced his teacher as the orchestra's solo hornist. In 1940 he was appointed principal hornist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, a position he vacated a year later to serve as principal hornist of the

from 1941–1946. In 1947 Jones returned to the Philadelphia Orchestra as principal hornist, this time serving in that position until his retirement 31 years later in 1978. He concurrently served as the orchestra's personnel manager from 1963–1986. Among the many recordings he made with the Philadelphia Orchestra was the music for the 1940 Disney animation film ''

Fantasia Fantasia International Film Festival (also known as Fantasia-fest, FanTasia, and Fant-Asia) is a film festival that has been based mainly in Montreal since its founding in 1996. Regularly held in July of each year, it is valued by both hardcore ...

''.

Discography

Recordings as featured soloist

* ''Eugene Ormandy Conducts Mozart Wind Concertos'' – with Philadelphia Orchestra; Eugene Ormandy, conductor (RCA 886446061184) * ''Hindemith: Sonatas for Brass and Piano'' – with Glenn Gould, piano (Sony)

Chamber music recordings

* ''Mozart & Beethoven: Quintets for Piano & Winds'' – with Rudolf Serkin, piano (Sony 827969390924) * ''Poulenc: Sextet for Piano and Winds etc.'' - with the composer himself (Boston Records BR10G1CD) The Original Philadelphia Woodwind Quintet

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Mason 1919 births 2009 deaths American horn players Curtis Institute of Music alumni