William Grant Still

Click on the above video to view a recital of the William Grant Still composition “Here’s One”; performed by: Rachel Barton Pine and Mathew Hagle

The following are a few fun facts and tidbits in honor of the upcoming William Grant Still Exhibit scheduled for Nov. 17-Dec. 17 here at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library.

–UPCOMING ANNIVERSARIES

2009: Sixty years since the premiere of the first major African American opera, Still’s Troubled Island.

2011: Seventy-five years since Still was the first African American to conduct a major symphony orchestra in the United States.

—The William Grant Still Tribute Conference is scheduled for November 19-22, 2009 in Natchez, Mississippi. The theme is “Music and the Arts: Still Our Only Future” and the mission of the Conference is to bring forth a resurgence of music and the arts in our communities as well as to pay tribute to American classical composer, William Grant Still (1895-1978). For more information about the conference go to the following website: www.williamgrantstill.com/conferencemission

Those interested in presenting a scholarly paper or lecture-recital during the Conference are encouraged to email wgsmusic@bigplanet.com or fax questions to (928) 526-0321.

—The Local History Room mailed a postcard to the U.S. Postmaster to encourage the creation and issuance of a postage stamp in honor of William Grant Still. All of those interested in doing the same please write to:

Citizen’s Stamp Advisory Committee

Stamp Development

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

1735 North Lynn Street

Room 5013

Arlington, VA 22209-6432