African American Composer William Grant Still Did Not Study Classical Music

African American composer William Grant Still did not study classical music, but that didn’t stop him from becoming one of the most important composers of the 20th century. Learn more about his life and work in this blog post.

William Grant Still’s Life

William Grant Still was born on May 11, 1895, in Woodville, Mississippi. He was an only child. His father, William Grant Still Sr., was a bandmaster in the United States Army. His mother, Carrie released the family’s last name of “Stiles” and took the name “Grant” from her husband’s middle name after his death in 1898. Carrie remarried in 1900 to Henry N. Williams, and the family moved to Little Rock, Arkansas. Williams was an abusive man, and Carrie eventually divorced him.

William Grant Still’s early life

African American composer William Grant Still (1895-1978) did not study classical music. He was born in Woodville, Mississippi, the son of a teacher and a minister, and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. He studied the violin and piano as a child and played in the Arkansaw Travellers, a jazz band, during his teens. In 1915 he moved to New York City to study with Ralph Vaughan Williams at the New England Conservatory of Music. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War I, he studied composition with George Frederick McKay at Wilberforce University in Ohio and with Edgar Varese at the Mannes School of Music in New York City.

William Grant Still’s family life

African American composer William Grant Still was born on May 11, 1895, in Woodville, Mississippi. His family had a rich musical tradition—his mother and grandmother were both piano teachers, and his grandfather was a fiddler who had once played for the famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Still’s father died when he was only two years old, however, and the family soon faced hard times. His mother was forced to take in boarders to make ends meet, and young William often had to entertain them with his music. When he was eight years old, his family moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, in search of a better life.

Still did not have the opportunity to study classical music formally, but he was exposed to a wide variety of music in his childhood home. In addition to the music of his African American heritage, he heard the popular tunes of the day as well as the classical music his mother and grandmother loved. All of these influences would shape his own compositional style.

William Grant Still’s Music

William Grant Still was born on May 11, 1895 in Woodville, Mississippi. He is an African American composer who didn’t study classical music. William Grant Still’s music includes classical, jazz, and blues elements.

William Grant Still’s early musical experiences

William Grant Still’s parents were musicians, and he began to study violin at an early age. However, he did not study classical music, and instead was largely self-taught. He later recalled that his exposure to classical music came mostly from hearing it on the radio. He also listened to and was influenced by jazz and popular music of the day.

William Grant Still’s classical music training

African American composer William Grant Still did not study classical music, but he was deeply influenced by it. He was born in Mississippi in 1895, and his family was musical. His father was a bandleader, and his mother played the piano. He began playing the violin when he was six, and he soon began composing his own music.

Still moved to Memphis, Tennessee, when he was eighteen, and he studied violin and composition at the New York Conservatory of Music. He also studied with Belgian composer Henri Rabaud. After graduating from the conservatory, Still returned to Memphis and continued to compose. His first symphony was performed in 1924 by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

Still’s music is unique because it combines elements of classical music with African American folk music and jazz. He is one of the first composers to successfully integrate these different styles of music.

The Impact of William Grant Still’s Music

William Grant Still’s music is a reflection of his life experiences. As an African American composer,he was influenced by the music he heard growing up in the south. Still’s music combines elements of classical,jazz, and blues. His compositions offer a unique perspective on the African American experience.

The impact of William Grant Still’s music on American culture

William Grant Still’s music disseminated across the United States, particularly in the South, and his use of blues and jazz idioms in classical compositions caught the attention of black audiences. His music was performed by some of the most prominent musicians of his time including Duke Ellington, Marian Anderson, and Paul Robeson. Still’s music continues to be performed and recorded by contemporary artists such as Jessye Norman, Leontyne Price, and Wynton Marsalis.

The impact of William Grant Still’s music on the world

William Grant Still was an African American composer who did not study classical music. He is best known for his work in the early years of jazz and for his symphonies, which drew on the music of his African American heritage. Still’s music helped to break down barriers between races and cultures and to bring people together.