William Grant Still

William Grant Still

1895-1978

An Important Artist of African Decent

by Joshua Mhoon

Early LifeWilliam Grant Still was born in Woodville, Mississippi to 2 teachers. His father died when young Still was only 3 months old. His mother moved him to Little Rock, Arkansas only a little while later. She found and married another man after the move. Still’s stepfather enhanced Still’s love for music by listening to music recordings, going to concerts, and going to see opera.

Early life (cont.)

Still was a late bloomer to performing music. The first instrument that he picked up was the violin at the age of 15-years old. He later taught himself to play clarinet, saxophone, oboe, double bass, cello and viola. He graduated high school 2 years early at the age of 16. Still’s mother wanted him to pursue medicine so he did a Bachelor of Science degree program in Ohio.

Early life (cont.)In Ohio he went to the HBCU Wilberforce University. At the university he taught himself to play even more instruments, conducted the orchestra and started composition. Still was very good at all the instruments that he played and was awarded a scholarship to the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

CareerIn 1918 Still joined the navy to serve in World War I. Once he returned he did arranging for lots of famous bands such as W.C. Handy’s band, Yamekraw, Willard Robison, and Paul Whiteman. He also arranged music for the movies Pennies from Heaven and Lost Horizon.

Career (cont.)Still even conducted the New Orleans Philharmonic Orchestra and became African-American to conduct a major orchestra in the South, while doing so. He also during his career wrote lots of compositions. He was the first african-american to have his opera performed on national tv. His works have been performed internationally by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the BBC Orchestra.