Oral History Interview with Babcock, James

James Babcock was a member of the Virginia Symphony Board of Directors beginning in 1977, when he moved to the Hampton Roads area to become president of First Virginia Bank. Babcock served as president of the board from 1984-86. Among his achievements during that period was instituting the first long range planning process for the orchestra. At the time of the interview, Babcock also serves as a director of the Virginia Symphony Foundation. Babcock was born in Caldwell, New Jersey on June 16, 1933. Oral history interview conducted with James Babcock in his Virginia Beach home for a project on the history of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. The interview discusses Babcock's time as a member and president of the Virginia Symphony Board of Directors. Important highlights include the merger of the Peninsula, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach orchestras; fundraising campaigns; and the Virginia Symphony strike. 0:52:00

James Babcock was a member of the Virginia Symphony Board of Directors beginning in 1977, when he moved to the Hampton Roads area to become president of First Virginia Bank. Babcock served as president of the board from 1984-86. Among his achievements during that period was instituting the first long range planning process for the orchestra. At the time of the interview, Babcock also serves as a director of the Virginia Symphony Foundation. Babcock was born in Caldwell, New Jersey on June 16, 1933. Oral history interview conducted with James Babcock in his Virginia Beach home for a project on the history of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. The interview discusses Babcock's time as a member and president of the Virginia Symphony Board of Directors. Important highlights include the merger of the Peninsula, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach orchestras; fundraising campaigns; and the Virginia Symphony strike.

Photograph of James Babcock taken during oral history interview for the Virginia Symphony Archives project.

Photograph of James Babcock and Jean Major taken during oral history interview for the Virginia Symphony Archives project.