James Gorton, Co-Principal Oboist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, joined the orchestra in 1971. He was formerly a member of the Rochester Philharmonic and Eastman-Rochester Orchestras and Principal Oboe of the Rocheste Chamber Orchestra. He has also been Principal Oboe of the Pittsburgh Opera and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Principal Oboe and soloist with the Colorado Philharmonic and the New Hampshire Music Festival, and oboist and English hornist of the Bethlehem (PA) Bach Festival, Lake George (NY) Opera Festival, and Sun Valley (ID) Summer Symphony. Mr. Gorton performed the Pittsburgh premieres of Witold Lutoslawski's Double Concerto for Oboe, Harp and Chamber Orchestra with the Pittsburgh Symphony and Antal Dorati's Five Pieces for Solo Oboe. he gave the Rochester premiere of L'horloge de flore (The Flower Clock) for oboe and orchestra by Jean Francaix with the Eastman-Rochester Orchestra.

As chamber musician and recitalist, Mr. Gorton was a founder of the New Pittsburgh Quintet.