William Grant Still

William Grant Still was born May 11, 1895 in Woodville, Mississippi to Carrie Lena Still and William Grant Still. Still's father died when he was only a few months old, so the family moved to Little Rock, Arkansas. His mother remarried a few years later to Charles B. Shepperson. Both his mother and stepfather were interested in music and encouraged their children as well. Still began his musical education taking violin lessons and listening to opera recordings …

…of Arkansas, Pepperdine University, and University of Southern California (Gibson). William Grant Still died on December 3, 1978, in Los Angeles. His legend continues. In 1981, A Bayou Legend was produced for PBS. In 1984 the premiere of Minette Fontaine was performed by the Baton Rouge Opera Company (Gibson). Today, the University of Arkansas and Duke University has exhibits of William Grant Still in their Special Collections Library. He paved the way for future composers and has inspired many.