William Grant Still

William Grant Still (May 11,1895 - December 3,1978) was a ground-breaking African-American classical composer who wrote more than 150 compositions. He was the first African-American to conduct a major American Orchestra, the first to have a symphony (his first) performed by a leading orchestra (Southern 1980), the first to have an opera performed by a major opera company, and the first to have an opera performed on national television. He is often referred to as the dean of African-American composers.

Early life

William Grant Still was born in Woodville, Mississippi. His father died when he was 3 months old and he was raised in Little Rock, Arkansas. Still served in the United States Navy during World War I.

Related Topics:
Woodville, Mississippi - Little Rock, Arkansas - United States Navy - World War I

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He attended Wilberforce College and Oberlin College seeking a medical degree. He became interested in music and left for New York City where he played and arranged music with W.C. Handy and worked for Handy's publishing company. Still was associated with the Harlem Renaissance movement and was active in the jazz and popular music scenes. Still later studied under avant-garde composer Edgard Varese and George Whitefield Chadwick. He was married in 1939 to Verna Arvey, a Russian-Jewish musician.

Related Topics:
Wilberforce College - Oberlin College - New York City - W.C. Handy - Harlem Renaissance - Edgard Varese - George Whitefield Chadwick - 1939 - Verna Arvey

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~