Washington State University: 'Feb. 10 Faculty Artist Series, Music of William Grant Still part of Black History Month'

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

Washington State University News Center

Monday, January 30, 2012

PULLMAN, Wash. - As part of Black History Month in February, the Washington State University School of Music Faculty Artist Series will present works by one of the most famous African-American composers, William Grant Still (1895-1978), at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, in Bryan Hall.

Admission is free for WSU students with ID. General admission costs $10; students (non-WSU) and seniors $5. Proceeds go to the School of Music scholarship fund. Tickets will be on sale in the lobby one hour before the concert.

Still was the first African American to conduct a major U.S. symphony orchestra, the first to have one of his symphonies performed by a major orchestra, and the first to have an opera performed on national television. His music is characterized as exciting, varied, jazzy and rhythmic. The concert will begin with Meredith Arksey, violin, and Michelle Mielke, piano, performing two movements from "Suite for Violin and Piano: Mother and Child and Gamin.” Julie Wieck, soprano, and Sheila Converse, mezzo soprano, accompanied by Mielke on piano, will sing several songs with jazz elements. 

Keri McCarthy, oboe, and Karen Savage, piano, will perform the light but lively "Incantation and Dance for Oboe and Piano.” Christopher Dickey, euphonium, will perform three song transcriptions. The concert will conclude with Still’s famous string quartet, "Danzas de Panama,” an appealing piece with beautiful melodies and contrasting, driving rhythms. Each movement depicts a different style of Panamanian folk music. This exciting work will be performed by the WSU Faculty and Friends String Quartet: Arksey, violin; Rebecca Darnall, violin; Rebecca Miller, viola; and Ruth Boden, cello.

[William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a comprehensive Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma, http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com Recordings, sheet music and books of William Grant Still are available at www.WilliamGrantStill.com, which is operated by the composer's daughter Judith Anne Still]