Grier Williams
| Grier Williams | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 18, 1931 Tampa, Florida |
| Died | April 19, 2004 HCA Florida West Hospital, Pensacola, Florida |
| Occupation | Music director |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Spouse | Louise Harvin Williams |
| Parents | Jonathan Beatty Williams Mary Agnes Moffatt |
| Children | Stephen Harvin Williams Grier Moffatt Williams, Jr. |
Dr. Grier Moffatt Williams Sr. (June 19 1931 - April 19 2004) was a music director and educator best known for his 17-year tenure with the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. He also served as choir director of First Presbyterian Church for 20 years.
Early Life, Family, Education, and Early Career
Williams was born on June 18, 1931 in Tampa, Florida to Jonathan Beatty Williams (1903-1978) and Mary Agnes Moffatt Williams (1904-1988). His father was a Biology teacher at H.B. Plant High School in Tampa, before he opened a surgical supply store in Jacksonville, where Grier partially grew up. Grier spent his formative years in Palma Ceia, before briefly living in Miami. Grier then moved to Jacksonville, where he learned trumpet and attended Robert E. Lee High School. Grier was a member of the band at Lee High, playing his instrument of choice. Williams came from a musical family. His father was a bassist and his mother was a singer.
Williams's maternal grandfather, James S. Moffatt (1860-1922), was the president of Erskine College in South Carolina from 1907 until 1921. Williams's great-grandfather, W.M. Grier (1843-1899), served as President, as well as his great-great grandfather, R.C. Grier (1817-1871), and grand-uncle, R.E. Grier (1881-1974). Two of Grier's maternal uncles, Dr. James S. Moffatt Jr. and Dr. L. Gaston Moffatt were College Professors, with the latter teaching internationally in Spain. A paternal great-great grandfather of Williams, Dr. Archibald Barron, was a signer of the 1860 South Carolina Ordinance of Seccession, an important document that was influential in the beginning of the Civil War.
Williams attended Davidson College, where he met his wife, Louise Harvin, a second-generation teacher, who was earning a degree in education at that point at Queens University of Charlotte. Louise, like her future husband, was a musician, playing the piano. While attending Davidson, Grier played in the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and Charlotte Opera Orchestra. During the summer, he taught at the Transylvania Music Camp (now the Brevard Music Center).
After earning his bachelor degree of arts in music, Williams joined the Army for two years, playing in the Army Band and marrying Louise in the latter year. Grier then attended the University of Michigan, earning his masters. Afterwards, Williams earned a doctorate from Florida State University.
Later Career
Williams began his teaching career in 1959 at Southeastern Louisiana University while earning his doctorate. Williams then transfered back to his Alma Mater in 1961, right after the birth of his second son.
Williams founded the Music Department of the nascent University of West Florida in 1968 and helped it earn national accreditation in 1971. Williams retired as the Chairman of the Music Department in 1992. The school was later renamed after Williams in 2020.
In 1979, he was asked to serve as interim music director and conductor of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. Under his leadership, the PSO broadened its repertoire, increased ticket sales, and moved its performance venue from the Pensacola High School auditorium to the newly-renovated Saenger Theatre in 1982.
In 1990, Williams invited schoolteacher Susan Pote to assemble a group of children to accompany the orchestra for choral pieces. The group was immensely successful and grew into the standalone Pensacola Children's Chorus.
Williams retired from the PSO in 1996. He was succeeded by Peter Rubardt, who praised Williams for setting the orchestra "on a path to professionalism."
He passed away on April 19, 2004 while recovering from a heart attack.
References
- "Musical guiding light Grier Williams dies." Pensacola News Journal, April 20, 2004.
- "Loved ones celebrate life of renowned musician." Pensacola News Journal, April 23, 2004.
