Ray Irving – Bass

Double Bassist Raymond Irving received his early training in his hometown of Chicago where he was a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. His first professional orchestral experience was with the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, where he performed for three seasons. Ray came to Washington, DC as a member of The United States Army Field Band, The U.S. Army’s premier touring ensemble. During his military career, he traveled extensively, proudly representing the United States with the “Musical Ambassadors of the Army.”

Ray’s primary teachers were Harold Siegel, Harold Robins, Robert Barney and William Vaughan. Ray is an active teacher and free-lance musician. In addition to the Maryland Winds, he serves as Principal Bassist with the Prince George’s Philharmonic. He has performed with the Detroit, Maryland and Annapolis Symphony Orchestras, as well as many other orchestras in the Mid-Atlantic region. Ray is also an active chamber musician (he adores chamber music!).

In his “spare” time, Ray enjoys running (fantastic for body AND mind), baking and cooking (give him an apron, a sharp knife and a big cutting board and he is a happy guy!). Ray’s favorite bass is a modern English instrument made in 2006 by Peter Hamilton-Box (very old wood). The bass is definitely a woman and her name is Boadicia (named for the ancient Queen of Britain).

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