William Still Grant
...of African American Composers." However to put such a limiting title on such a great composer does not do justice to exemplifying the greatness of his work. William Grant Still composed pieces that touched people of all races, not just African Americans. He wrote symphonies, ballets, children's songs, and operas. In addition to his compositional accomplishments, he was a noted arranger of many radio programs, and popular/commercial music pieces. He was a man of many firsts including the first African-American in the United States to have a symphony performed by a major symphony orchestra, and the first African-American to conduct a major symphony orchestra in the United States. He was also the first African American to have an opera produced by a major opera company. William Grant Still was a prolific composer from humble beginnings.
William Grant Still was born on May 11, 1895, in Woodville Mississippi. When William was an infant, his father passed away. William and his mother would then relocate to Little Rock, Arkansas. His mother Carrie became an English teacher M.W. Gibbs High School. When William was about nine years old, his mother married a man named Charles Shepperson. Later in his life, William attended the high school where his mother was a teacher. He was aware that his mother's occupation impeded his ability to participate in his peer's mischievous activities. William started his formal music education at the school by taking violin lessons from a private instructor. Charles Shepperson nurtured young William's interest in music. Shepperson and purchased him the Red Seal operatic recordings, which peaked his interest in opera.
After high school, he attended Wilberforce University. He entered the university as a Pre-Med student, but yearned to study music. He spent most of his time at Wilberforce immersing himself in the band. He learned to play...
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