Friday, April 18, 2008

Wilberforce University Alumnus Is Proud of William Grant Still, African American Composer

[William Grant Still; (Photo is the sole property of William Grant Still Music, and is used with permission.)]

Rhonda M. Cartwright's Weblog: Race Matters, Cultural Diversity and The African-American Experience
College Reunion 2008 April 16, 2008
A couple of weekends ago, I visited my Alma mater (Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio) to participate in our yearly college reunion called Dawn Dance. Dawn Dance is a weekend of special events and celebration; all of which honors our beloved W.U., its rich history and dedication to the advancement of African-Americans through education.

Wilberforce is the first HBCU (Historically Black College and Universities) owned and operated by African-Americans. The school was founded in 1856 by Daniel Payne (an African-American and Bishop with the African Methodist Episcopal Church) and was named after the 18th century abolitionist William Wilberforce. The school even played a significant role in assisting escaped slaves as the Underground Railroad made a “stop” at W.U.

Since its inception, many notable African-Americans have graduated from the university which only adds to the pride that I have as a former student: William Grant Still, the first African-American to conduct a major symphony orchestra, Floyd Flake, former US Congressman and current President of Wilberforce University and Regina M. Anderson, playwright in the Harlem Renaissance are just a fragment of Wilberforce’s history. [William Grant Still was Guest Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, in a concert of his own compositions, on July 23, 1936. He is profiled in depth, and his compositions are listed in a Works List compiled by Dr. Dominique-René de Lerma, at AfriClassical.com] Full Post







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