Master of Arts, Music

Grant Mason has been playing trumpet in the Matamata brass band when he was 7 years. He has since played in Rock bands, pit orchestras, orchestras and jazz bands. He is currently in a band 'Torch songs' with two other masters students.

For his masters research Grant explored a musical movement that began in the 1950's called 'Third Stream Music' - a fusion of classical and jazz styles. Using 'Third Stream' as a model and the trumpet as his instrument Grant took trumpet music from the classical trumpet repertoire and fused it with jazz.

During his year of study he investigated concepts relating to the compositional and arranging values associated with Third Stream music and how traditional Western European and jazz composition and arranging aesthetics and techniques can be employed in the creation of a body of work fusing these two genres.

One of the highlights of his study was a concert he did at the Gallagher performing arts centre where he teamed up with four of NZ's top jazz musicians and played to a full house. Grant now teaches music at Peachgrove Intermediate where he enjoys sharing his musical knowledge with aspiring young musicians.