James Griffith, Viola
Al and Mary Agnes McQuinn Chair
James Griffith received his Master of Music from the Juilliard School. He also received his undergraduate degree from the Manhattan School of Music and attended Florida State University. He is a former member of the Hudson String Quartet in New York, faculty member of Point Counterpoint Chamber Music Camp in Vermont and director of the New Arts Festival in Fort Myers. He formerly served as principal violist of the New York Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra and the New York Virtuosi.
James is a Florida native and returned in 1988. Since then, he has managed the founding and development of what has become a premier visual and performing arts organization in Fort Myers, Florida. Working with state and local historic preservation offices as well as the federal, state and local governments, he has successfully managed the acquisition, planning, design and restoration of the historic former Federal Building in downtown Fort Myers to become a new premier fine art center now known as the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center.
James was recently honored as the Arts Organization Leader of the Year by the Lee County Alliance of the Arts. He has been a member of the Naples Philharmonic since 1989.
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The facts:
I come from Southwest Florida and attended Juilliard. I arrived by car and have been a member of the Naples Philharmonic since 1989.
What inspired you to become a musician?
I got a full scholarship to attend college.
What is the most enjoyable part of your job?
Walking behind our guests and listening to them talk about the concert they just heard on the way to the parking lot.
What’s challenging about playing your instrument?
The critics, all of them.
What are your favorite compositions?
Anything by Storm Large.
What have you been listening to recently?
Mumford & Sons.
Are there other musicians in your immediate family?
No.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Ain't nobody got time for that! I work two full time jobs.