May 11, 1895:
William Grant Still, Jr. is born on Piney Woods Plantation near Woodville, Mississippi, USA, the only child born to William Grant Still, Sr., owner of a grocery store and the town bandmaster, and Carrie Lena Fambro, both teachers.
September 26, 1895:
William Grant Still, Sr., dies in Woodville, Mississippi, leaving his wife and four-month-old son. He was probably poisoned, either by local whites or a rejected lover.
November 27, 1904:
Carrie Lena Fambro Still marries a postal employee, Charles Shepperson, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Shepperson becomes the stepfather of William Grant Still (9) and will introduce the boy to the arts, especially classical music.
October 4, 1915:
William Grant Still (20) marries Grace Bundy in Columbus, Ohio. She is the daughter of domestic servants.
May 11, 1917:
On his 22nd birthday, William Grant Still receives an inheritance from the estate of his biological father. He will use the money to attend Oberlin Conservatory.
March 22, 1918:
World War I: British forces begin stiffening in the northern sector of the Somme front, but the Germans continue to make gains through the day, capturing Vracourt, Tergnier, and the Oise Canal.
William Grant Still (22) joins the US Navy in New York as a mess attendant third class.
April 24, 1918:
World War I: Australian troops halt the German advance at Villers-Bretonneux.
Mess attendant third class William Grant Still reports to the USS Kroonland, an armed former passenger ship. He will see service in the Atlantic.
December 13, 1918:
William Grant Still (23) is honorably discharged from the US Navy in New York.
May 22, 1921:
Shuffle Along, the first important all-Black stage show, opens at the 63rd Street Music Hall in New York. It was written and produced by Flournoy Miller, Eubie Blake, Nobel Sissle, and Aubrey Lyles. Playing oboe in the orchestra is William Grant Still (26).
February 8, 1925:
From the Land of Dreams for orchestra by William Grant Still (29) is performed for the first time, in an International Composers’ Guild concert in Aeolian Hall, New York. The first performance of any of his concert music, Still will say “It was one of the greatest moments of my life.” Also on the program is the premiere of Ensemble for string quintet with thunder sticks by Henry Cowell (27) and Tres exágonos for voice and piano by Carlos Chávez (25). Mr. Cowell plays the thunder sticks. This is the first significant performance of the music of Carlos Chávez in the US.
January 24, 1926:
Levee Land for soprano, two violins, woodwinds, tenor banjo, piano, and percussion by William Grant Still (30) is performed for the first time, at an International Composers' Guild concert in Aeolian Hall, New York. Also premiered is Portals for strings by Carl Ruggles (49). The audience, which includes George Gershwin (27), requires Portals to be repeated but the critics are mixed.
November 28, 1926:
Darker America, a symphonic poem by William Grant Still (31), is performed for the first time, at an International Composers’ Guild concert in Aeolian Hall, New York. Also premiered is Pastorale and Rondino for two flutes, clarinet, trumpet, and piano by Colin McPhee (26).
March 20, 1927:
William Grant Still’s (31) orchestral suite From the Black Belt is performed for the first time, in the Henry Miller Theatre, New York.
February 12, 1928:
William Grant Still (32) is presented the Second Award of the William E. Harmon Award for Distinguished Achievement among Negroes in Music. He receives $100 and a bronze medal.
March 25, 1928:
Log Cabin Ballads for chamber orchestra by William Grant Still (32) is performed for the first time, in Booth Theatre, New York.
January 23, 1930:
William Grant Still (34) attends a recital by the young pianist Verna Arvey in the Hollywood Bowl. The two begin a friendship and correspondence. See 8 February 1939.
April 6, 1930:
Africa for orchestra by William Grant Still (34) is performed for the first time, in a reduced orchestra setting, in the Guild Theatre, New York.
May 22, 1931:
Sahdji, a ballet by William Grant Still (36) to a scenario by Locke and Bruce, is performed for the first time, in Rochester, New York Howard Hanson (34) conducting.
July 7, 1931:
For the first time, a work by William Grant Still (36) is performed in Europe when Darker America for orchestra is played in Bad Homburg.
October 29, 1931:
Afro-American Symphony by William Grant Still (36) is performed for the first time, at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York conducted by Howard Hanson (35). This work secures Still’s fame for the rest of his life.
December 17, 1931:
William Grant Still (36) signs a contract with Willard Robison to provide arrangements for Robison’s orchestra in a thrice-weekly program on radio station WOR in New York.
May 5, 1933:
La Guiablesse, a ballet by William Grant Still (37) to a scenario by Page, after Hearn, is performed for the first time, at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York under the baton of Howard Hanson (36).
December 15, 1933:
William Grant Still’s (38) orchestral suite A Deserted Plantation is performed for the first time, at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York.
April 1, 1934:
The John Simon Guggenheim Foundation fellowships are announced, including one for William Grant Still (38).
May 14, 1934:
William Grant Still (39) begins a year-long Guggenheim Fellowship.
May 22, 1934:
Having driven across the United States, William Grant Still (39) arrives in Los Angeles to begin a new career.
March 30, 1935:
The John Simon Guggenheim Foundation fellowships are announced, including ones for William Grant Still (40) and Walter Piston (41).
May 5, 1935:
Kaintuck’ for piano and orchestra by William Grant Still (39) is performed for the first time, in Musart Theatre, Los Angeles.
May 11, 1935:
On his 40th birthday, William Grant Still founds a music library at the Gray Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles.
May 15, 1935:
The Guggenheim Foundation renews William Grant Still’s (40) fellowship for six months.
July 11, 1935:
Quit dat Fool’nish for piano by William Grant Still (40) is performed for the first time, in Los Angeles.
February 21, 1936:
Lady of Secrets, a film with music by William Grant Still (40), is released in the United States.
July 23, 1936:
William Grant Still (41) conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the Hollywood Bowl. He is the first African-American to conduct a major symphony orchestra.
October 11, 1936:
End of the Trail, a film with music by William Grant Still (41), is released in the United States.
October 23, 1936:
Adventure in Manhattan, a film with music by William Grant Still (41), is released in the United States.
October 30, 1936:
Dismal Swamp, a symphonic poem by William Grant Still (41), is performed for the first time, in Rochester, New York conducted by Howard Hanson (40).
November 3, 1936:
Ebon Chronicle for orchestra by William Grant Still (41) is performed for the first time, in Ft. Worth, Texas.
November 16, 1936:
Pennies from Heaven, a film with music by William Grant Still (41), is released in the United States.
May 23, 1937:
Lenox Avenue, a ballet by William Grant Still (42) to a scenario by Arvey, is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the CBS radio network originating in New York.
December 10, 1937:
Symphony in g minor “Song of a New Race” by William Grant Still (42) is performed for the first time, at the Philadelphia Academy of Music, to mixed reviews.
February 5, 1938:
William Grant Still (42) is disappointed when nothing extraordinary happens today. Four days ago he was visited in a dream by his grandmother who told him to “watch 5 February.” In a few days Still will receive a letter from the New York World’s Fair asking him to write theme music for the fair. The letter is written and mailed today, 5 February.
April 3, 1938:
The John Simon Guggenheim Foundation fellowships are announced, including ones for William Grant Still (42), David Diamond (22), and Carlos Chávez (38).
June 3, 1938:
The Guggenheim Foundation renews William Grant Still’s (43) fellowship for six more months.
February 3, 1939:
William Grant Still (43) receives a final divorce from his first wife, Grace Bundy. He is now free to marry Verna Arvey.
February 8, 1939:
William Grant Still (43) marries Verna Arvey, a pianist, in Tijuana, Mexico. They go to Mexico to get married because mixed-race marriages are not allowed in California.
April 30, 1939:
Kurt Weill’s (39) historical pageant Railroads on Parade to words of Hungerford is performed for the first time, at the New York World’s Fair. Also premiered at the fair is William Grant Still’s (43) Song of a City for chorus and orchestra to words of Stillman.
February 17, 1940:
Can’tcha Line ‘em for orchestra by William Grant Still (44) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the Columbia Broadcasting System.
June 25, 1940:
In Lewisohn Stadium, New York, two works by American composers are performed for the first time: And They Lynched Him on a Tree, a cantata by William Grant Still (45) to words of Chapin, and Challenge 1940 for baritone, chorus, and orchestra by Roy Harris (42).
May 2, 1941:
Miss Sally’s Party, a ballet by William Grant Still (45) to a scenario by Arvey, is performed for the first time, at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, Howard Hanson (44) conducting.
September 4, 1941:
Old California for orchestra by William Grant Still (46) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the Mutual Broadcasting System. The work was commissioned for the 160th anniversary of the founding of Los Angeles.
October 23, 1941:
Plain-chant for America for baritone, orchestra, and organ by William Grant Still (46) to words of Chapin is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York. Chapin is the wife of Francis Biddle, the Attorney-General of the United States.
February 5, 1942:
Incantation and Dance for oboe and piano by William Grant Still (46) is performed for the first time, in Elmira College Chapel, New York.
December 18, 1942:
The eighth of 18 patriotic fanfares for brass and percussion commissioned by Eugene Goossens and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, A Fanfare for American Heroes by William Grant Still (47), is performed for the first time, in Cincinnati.
January 5, 1944:
William Grant Still’s (48) orchestral work In memoriam: The Colored Soldiers Who Died for Democracy is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
March 14, 1944:
Suite for violin and piano by William Grant Still (48) is performed for the first time, in Jordan Hall, Boston.
March 17, 1944:
Pages from Negro History for orchestra by William Grant Still (48) is performed for the first time, at Western Maryland College, Westminster.
October 11, 1944:
Miniatures for flute, oboe, and piano by William Grant Still (49) is performed for the first time, in Chelsea Town Hall, London.
December 7, 1944:
William Grant Still’s (49) Poem for orchestra is performed for the first time, in Severance Hall, Cleveland.
December 26, 1944:
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra awards a $1,000 bond to William Grant Still (49) for his Festive Overture, the winner of a contest for a jubilee overture to celebrate the orchestra’s 50th anniversary. See 19 January 1945.
January 19, 1945:
Festive Overture for orchestra by William Grant Still (49) is performed for the first time, in Cincinnati.
July 22, 1945:
Fanfare for the 99th Fighter Squadron for orchestra by William Grant Still (50) is performed for the first time, in the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles.
September 3, 1945:
Rudolph Dunbar becomes the first black man to conduct the Berlin Philharmonic. Among other things he directs the first European performance of the Afro-American Symphony of William Grant Still (50).
January 23, 1946:
Songs of Separation for voice and piano by William Grant Still (50) to words of various authors is performed for the first time, in Delaware, Ohio.
May 10, 1946:
New works on Jewish themes are performed for the first time, in the Park Avenue Synagogue, New York: Kiddush for cantor, chorus, and organ by Kurt Weill (46), The Voice of the Lord (Psalm 29) for solo voice, chorus, and piano by William Grant Still on the eve of the composer’s 51st birthday, and Mi Chomocho for tenor or baritone, chorus, and organ by Roy Harris (48) to words from Exodus.
November 29, 1946:
Bells for orchestra by William Grant Still (51) is performed for the first time, in Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis.
March 14, 1947:
Pastorela for violin and piano by William Grant Still (51) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
June 13, 1947:
From the Delta for band by William Grant Still (52) is performed for the first time, in Central Park, New York.
April 22, 1948:
Wood Notes for orchestra by William Grant Still (52) is performed for the first time, in Orchestra Hall, Chicago.
May 21, 1948:
Danzas de Panama for string quartet by William Grant Still (53) is performed for the first time, in the Los Angeles County Museum.
July 26, 1948:
Mississippi for chorus and piano by William Grant Still (53) to words of Arvey is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the ABC radio network.
February 14, 1949:
An aria and duet from William Grant Still’s (53) unperformed opera Troubled Island are performed over the airwaves of WNYC radio, New York. See 31 March 1949.
March 31, 1949:
Troubled Island, an opera by William Grant Still (53) to words of Hughes and Arvey, is performed for the first time, in the City Center of Music and Dance, New York. The audience is very appreciative. Critics are generally negative, as has been predicted to Still by Howard Taubman of the New York Times. Taubman has warned Still that the critics have decided “the colored boy has gone far enough.”
April 17, 1949:
Warren Storey Smith writes in the Boston Post about William Grant Still’s (53) opera Troubled Island. It is not only “better than the general run of American operas,” it is “a better show than that current sensation of the Lyric Theatre, Benjamin Britten’s (35) Peter Grimes.”
August 25, 1949:
Archaic Ritual for orchestra by William Grant Still (54) is performed for the first time, in the Hollywood Bowl.
March 6, 1951:
William Grant Still (55) writes to Howard Taubman, music editor of the New York Times, informing him that the State Department has withrdrawn a recording of his opera Troubled Island from the Belgian National Radio (because it is “bad”) and replaced it with something by Gian Carlo Menotti (39). Taubman is sympathetic, but without proof he will not publish anything of it. See 15 April 1952.
March 18, 1951:
Symphony no.4 “Autochthonous” by William Grant Still (55) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the Mutual Radio Network, originating in Oklahoma City.
February 17, 1952:
To you, America! for band by William Grant Still (56), composed for the 150th anniversary of the United States Military Academy at West Point, is performed for the first time, at the school, conducted by the composer.
April 15, 1952:
Verna Arvey (wife of William Grant Still (56)) hears from State Department official Wilson Compton that recordings of Still’s music were withdrawn by the State Department not for musical reasons but because of the quality of the recording. See 6 March 1951.
May 22, 1953:
From a Lost Continent for piano and chorus by William Grant Still (58) is performed for the first time, in San Jose, California. See 27 March 1955.
December 9, 1953:
Song for the Lonely for voice and piano by William Grant Still (58) is performed for the first time, in Limoges.
January 28, 1954:
Pages from a Mother’s Diary for orchestra by William Grant Still (58) is performed for the first time, in Montgomery Theatre, Santa Clara, California. See 30 March 1957.
May 23, 1954:
Grief, a song for voice and piano by William Grant Still (59) is performed for the first time, in Saratoga, California.
February 15, 1955:
The Little Song that Wanted to be a Symphony for speaker, three women singers, and orchestra by William Grant Still (59) to words of his wife, Verna Avery, is performed for the first time, in Bailey Auditorium, Jackson, Mississippi.
March 27, 1955:
From a Lost Continent for chorus and orchestra by William Grant Still (59) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Flemish Belgian Radio, originating in Brussels. See 22 May 1953.
March 30, 1957:
Little Red Schoolhouse for orchestra by William Grant Still (61) is performed for the first time, at Redlands University, Redlands, California. This is a revision of Pages from a Mother’s Diary . See 28 January 1954.
May 7, 1958:
Serenade for orchestra by William Grant Still (62) is performed for the first time, in the high school of Great Falls, Montana.
October 12, 1958:
Ennanga for harp and orchestra by William Grant Still (63) is performed for the first time, in West Side Jewish Community Center, Los Angeles. For this performance, a piano reduction is played by Verna Arvey Still.
January 20, 1959:
The American Scene for orchestra by William Grant Still (63) is performed for the first time, in University Auditorium, Tucson.
May 15, 1960:
Aria for accordion by William Grant Still (65) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
April 22, 1961:
Patterns, a suite for chamber orchestra by William Grant Still (65) is performed for the first time, in Torrance, California.
October 22, 1961:
The Peaceful Land, a symphonic poem by William Grant Still (66), is performed for the first time, at the University of Miami.
February 19, 1962:
From the Hearts of Women, a cycle for voice and piano by William Grant Still (66) to words of his wife, Verna Arvey, is performed for the first time, in Los Angeles.
March 12, 1962:
Reverie for organ by William Grant Still (66) is performed for the first time, in Pasadena Presbyterian Church, California.
May 11, 1963:
Highway No.1 USA, an opera by William Grant Still to words of Arvey, is performed for the first time, at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida on the composer’s 68th birthday.
August 18, 1963:
Folk Suite for Band by William Grant Still (68) is performed for the first time, in MacArthur Park, Los Angeles.
March 14, 1965:
Threnody: In Memory of Jan Sibelius by William Grant Still (69) is performed for the first time, at the University of Miami, Florida.
October 17, 1965:
Miniature Overture for orchestra by William Grant Still (70) is performed for the first time, in Miami.
February 18, 1966:
A Psalm for Living for chorus and piano by William Grant Still (70) to words of his wife Verna Arvey, is performed for the first time, in Houston, conducted by the composer.
March 4, 1966:
Incidental music to Stone’s play The Prince and the Mermaid by William Grant Still (70) is performed for the first time, at San Fernando Valley State College in Northridge, California.
May 26, 1968:
Preludes for piano and string orchestra by William Grant Still (73) is performed for the first time, in Westchester, California.
January 25, 1970:
Choreographic Prelude for flute, piano, strings, and orchestra by William Grant Still (74) is performed for the first time, in Los Angeles County Museum.
November 9, 1970:
Symphony no.5 by William Grant Still (75) is performed for the first time, at Oberlin College, Ohio.
October 6, 1971:
We Sang Our Songs by William Grant Still (76) to words of Arvey is performed for the first time, for the centennial celebration of Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee.
November 15, 1974:
A Bayou Legend, an opera by William Grant Still (79) to words of his wife, Verna Arvey, is performed for the first time, in Municipal Auditorium, Jackson, Mississippi 33 years after it was composed.
May 24, 1975:
An honorary doctorate is conferred on William Grant Still (80) by the University of Southern California. At a banquet, Howard Hanson (78) gives the keynote address.
December 3, 1978:
William Grant Still dies of a heart attack in Los Angeles, USA, aged 83 years, six months, and 22 days.
February 12, 1984:
Symphony no.3 by William Grant Still (†5) is performed for the first time, in Harrison, Arkansas 26 years after it was composed.
October 24, 1984:
Minette Fontaine, a dramatic work by William Grant Still (†5) to words of his wife, Verna Arvey, is performed for the first time, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
April 22, 1990:
The Path of Glory for speaker, solo voice, and orchestra by William Grant Still (†11) to words of his wife, Verna Arvey is performed for the first time, in Holy Family Church, Grand Forks, North Dakota.
May 23, 1992:
Costaso, a dramatic work by William Grant Still (†13), is performed for the first time, in Pasadena, California.
November 29, 1992:
Those Who Wait for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra by William Grant Still (†13) to words of his wife Verna Arvey, is performed for the first time, at St. Mark’s AME Church in Milwaukee, 49 years after it was composed.
September 16, 1995:
Seven Cabaret Songs for jazz singer, flute, viola, cello, and piano by TJ Anderson (67) to words of Mullen is performed for the first time, at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. The work is dedicated to William Grant Still (†16) in the centennial year of his birth.