Arthur Dedrick Griffin Jr. Is a retired Chicago Public School Physics & Vocal Music Instructor having served the school system for 34 years. He served his last appointment as the Vocal & Piano Instructor at Westinghouse College Preparatory High School in East Garfield Park.

Arthur currently serves as Minister of Music and Senior Organist at the Historic First Baptist Congregational Church; He also serves as the Organist and Cantor at Blessed Maria Gabriela Catholic Church, both on Chicago’s Westside.

In 1980 he graduated from Concordia Teachers College, now Concordia University with a B.A. in Physics and Music and a M.A. in School Administration.

Mr. Griffin studied organ with Mr. Edward Mondello, Organist of Rockefeller Chapel, University of Chicago, from 1978 - 1980. 

During his college years he studied organ with Dr. Carl Waldschmidt, Dr. Paul Bunjes and Dr. Herbert Gotch on Faculty at Concordia University River Forest.

In addition to organ studies, Arthur studied voice with Victor Hildner, Karen Brunson, Andrew Schultz Dr. Lena McLin, and harpsichord with Dr. Natalie Jenne.

Mr. Griffin was the First Place Winner in the 1993 National Association of Negro’s Musician Organ Competition held in Oakland California. He has performed as an Organ Recitalist at Christ Church Cathedral in St Louis Missouri, Christ United Methodist Church in San Diego California. St Malachy Catholic Church, The First Baptist Congregational Church of Chicago, & again at Rockefeller Chapel, in Chicago for the Centennial Conference of the National Association of Negro Musicians in 2019.

Arthur’s Affiliations included American Guild of Organists, American Choral Directors Association, Organ Historical Society, and Gospel Music Workshop of America, National Association of Parish Musicians

Arthur is the son of the late Dr. Arthur and Barbara Griffin. Arthur is married to Phyllis McKenny-Griffin, Concert Violinist & the father of Lauren Ann Griffin, a Senior at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.