Dr. James Ryon

Jim Ryon is a native of Waldorf, Maryland. There he saw his beginnings in music through his family’s interest, and through the guidance of his high school band director. Following high school, Jim attended East Carolina University, where he earned the Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1966. He then entered the military service where he played in the 324th US Army Band at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland.

Following military service, Dr. Ryon entered graduate school at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. There he earned the Master of Music degree in Trombone Performance in 1971. While studying in Baltimore, Dr. Ryon began his career as a professional trombonist, performing as extra and substitute trombone with the Baltimore Symphony and playing for Broadway shows, jazz and rock bands, concert bands and solo recitals. During that time period, Jim worked with such names in the entertainment field as Barry Manilow, Tom Jones, Englebert Humperdink, Glenn Campbell, James Brown and Elvis Presley and the Ringling Brothers Circus Band. In 1977, Jim co-founded the Chesapeake Brass Quintet, one of the first groups of it kind to exist in the Baltimore area. The CBQ still exists and continues to maintain a busy schedule.

Dr. Ryon began his teaching career with the Carroll County (Md) public schools in 1971 and retired in 2002, following 31 years as an instrumental music teacher within that system. In 1977, he was awarded the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Catholic University of America, where he studied with John Marcellus. Dr. Ryon has also completed additional studies at Indiana University and the University of Louisville. Further studies in trombone were conducted with Milt Stevens, Dave Fetter, Glenn Dodson, Dave Fedderly and Jim Olin.

From 1984 through 1997, Ryon served as principal trombonist with the Harrisburg (PA) Symphony, and has also performed with the Lancaster Symphony, the Maryland Symphony and the Baltimore Symphony. Dr. Ryon currently performs with the Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra and the Shippensburg Summer Festival Orchestra. Currently serving as Professor of Trombone Shepherd University, Dr. Ryon maintains an active studio of music majors, music minors, and other students who wish to continue their musical studies on a volunteer basis. All interested students are welcomed to the Trombone Studio.