Rayburn Wright (1922-1990), professor of jazz studies and contemporary media and co-chair of the conducting and ensembles department, received his bachelor’s degree from the Eastman School and his master’s degree from Columbia University. Mr. Wright was a composer, arranger, conductor, and former arranger and co-director of music at Radio City Music Hall. His arrangements and compositions have been recorded on the RCA Victor, Columbia, Capitol Records, Everest, Roulette, Mercury, and Vox labels. Mr. Wright’s compositions have been performed by a variety of orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Little Orchestra Society of New York. Also a film composer, his scores were heard on network television, and were nominated twice for Emmy awards by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. An active conductor, he was a guest conductor for the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and the Lansing Symphony Orchestra.
Eastman School of Music
