Guide to the William Grant Still Papers, 1877-1992
[top]Descriptive Summary
TitleWilliam Grant Still Papers, 1877-1992
Creator
Still, William Grant, 1895-1978
Extent
12.0 Linear Feet
ca. 2,250 Items
Repository
ca. 2,250 Items
Duke University Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library
Language
English.
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Administrative Information
Access RestrictionsDuplication of the materials in the William Grant Still papers is restricted.
In addition, patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in the William Grant Still papers have not been transferred to Duke University. For further information, see the section on copyright in the Regulations and Procedures of the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library.
Provenance
The William Grant Still Papers (1877-1992) were purchased by Duke University in 1992.
Processing Information
Processed by: Daniel Daily. Assisted by: Boyd Gibson, Sandra Hack Polaski, Stephen Zank, Rachel Sullivan, and Sallie Locke
Completed October 1, 1993
Encoded by Stephen D. Miller
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
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Biographical Note
| 1895, May 11 | Born in Woodville, Miss. |
| 1895 | Moved to Little Rock, Ark. with mother, Carrie Fambro Still |
| 1911 | Matriculated at Wilberforce College |
| 1915 | Married Grace Bundy |
| 1916 |
Employed in music publishing company of W. C. Handy and Charles Pace (Memphis, Tenn.)
Played in W. C. Handy's band.
|
| 1917 | Entered Oberlin Conservatory |
| 1924 | Composed Darker America |
| 1929 | Composed Breath of a Rose |
| 1931 | Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra performed Afro-American Symphony |
| 1935 | Composed Kaintuck |
| 1934, 1935 and 1938 | Won Guggenheim Fellowships |
| 1938 |
Married Verna Arvey
Commissioned to compose music for the 1939 New York World's Fair
|
| 1940 | Arranged Katherine Garrison Chapin's poem, And They Lynched Him on a Tree |
| 1941 |
Composed Bayou Legend
Completed Troubled Island (Libretto by Langston Hughes and Verna Arvey)
|
| 1952 | First full recording of Afro-American Symphony |
| 1978, Dec. 3 | Died in Los Angeles |
Orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony, have performed Still's works throughout the United States. He received honorary degrees from the University of Arkansas, Wilberforce College, and Bates College.
[top]Collection Overview
The William Grant Still Papers, 1877-1992, contain chiefly photocopies of music, writings, correspondence, diaries, pictures, printed material, clippings, and recordings, which primarily document his work as a composer. The collection relates to the historical and critical study of his music, as well as being a valuable source of arrangements for performances. Still's music gained recognition due to his ability to compose classical music which both reflected distinctive African-American as well as African influences. In addition, materials (primarily writings and librettos), created by Verna Arvey, Still's second wife, also form an integral part of the collection.
A substantial portion of the collection is comprised of music in manuscript and printed formats as well as in recorded formats, and is contained in the
Music series and Recordings series. The collection does not contain all the music Still composed, however it does contain a substantial number of his works and can adequately support the research of Still's compositions. The various genres or mediums in which Still worked, including symphonies, operas, spirituals, songs, and chamber music are represented in the collection. Conductors' scores and published arrangements are included. Among the various publishers represented are Charles Pace and W.C. Handy Company and the J. Fischer and Brothers. Originals from these companies are present. Countee Cullen, Verna Arvey, Arna Bontemps, Langston Hughes, and Katherine Garrison Chapin are represented among those who wrote librettos or texts for Still's arrangements. Recordings for some of Still's works are available in compact disc, LP, and audio cassette formats. Included in the recordings are performances by Louis Kaufman, Peter Christ, Videmus, the William Grant Still Music Performing Arts Society, the Denver Symphony and San Francisco Symphony Orchestras, and other individual artists and orchestras.
Insofar as documenting Still's professional life, the diaries, writings, and correspondence are less complete than the music. Since gaps are evident within the diaries and correspondence, these materials do not provide a full and detailed understanding of Still's career development. However, some information pertaining to his work as well as his personal life is available. The
Writings series contains several articles by Still as well as biographical and critical works about Still and his music. This series also contains writings by Verna Arvey and Judith Anne Still. An autographed copy of Arvey's
In One Lifetime is included. The Correspondence series includes letters between Still and Alain Locke as well as Still and Charles Burch. Within these exchanges, there is some discussion and criticism of Still's compositions, reflections on the problems confronting African-American musicians in the 1930s, and a discussion of the possibility of Still teaching at Howard University. Correspondence between Arvey and Carl Van Vechten is also included. The diaries of both Still and Verna Arvey primarily record daily activities. However, Still's diary entries from 1930 contain reflections on his faith and spirituality, his music, and his first marriage to Grace Bundy. Within the
Printed Materials and Clippings series are programs and newspaper articles, many of which are originals, that document the performances and the wide acceptance of Still's music.
The Scrapbooks series primarily contain Verna Arvey's collection of clippings which document political and social events between the 1940s and the early 1970s. These clippings demonstrate Verna Arvey's strong interest in the anti-Communist movements of the mid-twentieth century, primarily Senator Joseph McCarthy's investigations. The contents of these scrapbooks do not directly relate to William Grant Still's music. To a lesser extent the scrapbooks contain clippings pertaining to race and the status of African-Americans in the United States.
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Subject Headings
These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.
- Arvey, Verna, 1910-.
- Bontemps, Arna Wendell, 1902-1933.
- Chapin, Katherine Garrison, 1890-1977.
- Hughes, Langston, 1902-1967.
- Kaufman, Louis, 1905-
- Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964.
- Burch, Charles.
- Music--20th century.
- Symphonies--20th century.
- Orchestral music--20th century.
- Opera--20th century.
- Chamber music--20th century.
- Spirituals (Songs).
- Music--Manuscripts--United States.
- Afro-American composers.
- Librettos.
- Scores.
- Opera.
- Songs.
- Diaries.
Detailed Description of Collection
Correspondence, 1924-1982, undated
Includes photocopies of personal letters between Still and
Alain Locke as well as letters between Still and Charles Burch. Correspondence between
Verna Arvey and Carl Van Vechten is also included.
Van Vechten was interested in photographing Still as well as acquiring Still manuscripts for the
James Weldon Johnson Collection at Yale University.
1924, June-1982, July,
undated
(3 folders)
Diaries, 1928-1979.
Contains photocopies of the diaries and daybooks of Still and
Verna Arvey. Still's diary entries, especially from 1930, disclose information about his relationship with his first wife
Grace Bundy and family financial struggles. The diaries also provide some insights into the progression of his compositions.
Arvey's five-year diaries or daybooks record her daily activities.
Arvey's earlier daybooks are more complete than the copies from the
1970s.
Still, Verna Arvey,
1928-1979
(5 folders)
Still, William Grant,
1930;
1939
(2 folders)
Scrapbooks, 1877-1973, undated(bulk 1953-1973).
Photocopies of Verna Arvey's "Racial-political-historical" scrapbook. The scrapbook primarily consists of articles from the
Los Angeles Herald And Express and chronicles various major political events, especially the
McCarthy investigations.
1877-1954, Mar.
(8 folders)
Box 3
1957, May 11-1968, July 21
(8 folders)
Box 4
1968, Oct 15-1973, Jan. 23,
undated
(7 folders)
Printed Material, 1930-1992, undated
Includes programs and advertisements for various performances of
William Grant Still's music. Primarily original materials with some photocopies.
1930-1949,
1940s
Box 5
1954-1986
(8 folders)
Box 6
1987-1992,
undated
(4 folders)
Clippings, 1926-1989, undated
Includes photocopies and originals of newspaper reviews of Still's music and performances of his works.
Box 6
1926-1992,
undated
(5 folders)
Miscellaneous Series, 1936-1989, undated
Includes copies of Still and Avery's wills and other legal documents, a statement of royalties, a puzzle, and proclamations recognizing Still. Chiefly photocopies.
1936-1991,
undated
Box 7
n.d
Writings, 1929-1992, undated
Primarily articles by Still and Verna Arvey, as well as books by
Arvey and Judith Anne Still. Also included is an article by
Langston Hughes pertaining to the libretto he wrote for
Troubled Island, and articles by Alain Locke. Includes original publications and photocopies, no manuscript drafts are present.
1929-1985
(6 folders)
Box 8
1986-1992,
undated
(3 folders)
1941, Choreographic Music
(2 folders)
1984, In One Lifetime
Box 9
1990, William Grant Still: A Voice High-Sounding
(4 folders)
Pictures, 1911-1949, undated
Contains black and white images of Still and his family. Some of the images capture moments in Still's professional career.
1911-1949,
undated
(2 folders)
Music, 1921-1991,n.d
Comprised of the following subseries: Ballets, Cantatas, Chamber Music, Operas, Orchestras, Piano, Spiritual Arrangements, Songs, and Miscellaneous. The subseries reflect the various genres of music composed by
William Grant Still.
Ballets,1941,n.d (Oversize materials, 1933-1938, undated)
Includes the composer's notes for
La Guiablesse and the arrangement and play for The Sorcerer.
Box 10
D-S,1941,
undated
Cantatas, 1931
Contains a J. Fischer and Bro. original of
And They Lynched Him on A Tree.
A,1931
Chamber Music, 1936-1964,(Oversize materials, 1936-1966, undated)
Arrangements of Still's compositions by Anthony Griggs and
Thomas Smith are included.
A-W, 1936-1991,
undated
(3 folders)
Operas,1976,n.d (Oversize materials, 1936-1963, undated)
Included is a signed and inscribed copy of
Bayou Legend and a conductor's score for The Pillar. Librettists for the various works include
Bruce Forsythe, Langston Hughes, Frank Sherwood, and
Verna Arvey.
A Bayou Legend,undated(Libretto only)
Troubled Island,1976 (Libretto by Langston Hughes)
(4 folders)
Troubled Island,undated(Libretto only)
Orchestras, 1937-1991, undated(Oversize materials, 1935-1959)
Includes an original publication of Wood Notes and works by other composers which were orchestrated by Still.
Box 11
C-S, 1937-1991,
undated
(2 folders)
Piano, 1916-1972
Contains pieces primarily written for piano instrumentation.
F-S, 1916-1972
Songs, 1928-1973, undated(Oversize materials 1923-1943, undated)
Contains Songs of Separations, for which lyrics were written by
Langston Hughes, Arna Bontemps, Countee Cullen, and others. Other lyricists include
Kate Chapin and Verna Arvey. Also includes
From the Hearts of Women,Plainchant for America,
Breath of A Rose, and a collection of Still's songs in
Twelve Negro Spirituals published by Handy Brothers Publishing. Also contains folk songs composed by Still.
A-W, 1928-1973,
undated
(4 folders)
Spiritual arrangements, 1938-1981,n.d (Oversize materials,1941, undated)
Includes an original of Ah Got a Home In-A Dat Rock printed by
Charles Pace and W.C. Handy. Lyrics for some works were written by
Verna Arvey. Contains some fragments.
A-W, 1938-1981,n.d
(2 folders)
Symphonies, n.d(Oversize materials 1928-1946, undated)
Includes full symphonies and symphonic poems, such as
Darker America and Kaintuck The composer's notes for
Symphony No.2 are present.
A-S, undated
Miscellaneous, n.d(Oversize materials 1947-1975, undated)
Contains band suites, solos pieces, sketches for
Stormy Weather,children's music, and fragments.
A-S, undated
(2 folders)
Oversize Materials
Music Series
Ballets Subseries
Box 12
B-T, 1933-1938,
undated
(5 folders)
Cantatas Subseries
Box 13
A,1931
Chamber Music Subseries
B-V, 1936-1966,
undated
(5 folders)
Operas Subseries
Box 14
A Bayou Legend,
undated
(7 folders)
Blue Steel,
undated
(3 folders)
Box 15
Blue Steel,
undated
(4 folders)
Costaso,
1950
(4 folders)
Box 16
Costaso,
1950
(3 folders)
From the Furnace of the Sun,
1936
Highway 1, U.S.A.,
1963,
undated
(4 folders)
Box 17
Minette Fontaine,
undated
(6 folders)
Mota,
undated
(4 folders)
Box 18
Mota,
undated
(3 folders)
The Pillar,
1955,
undated
(6 folders)
Box 19
Troubled Island,
undated
(7 folders)
Box 20
Troubled Island,
undated
(2 folders)
Orchestras Subseries
A-Am, 1935-1949,
undated
(4 folders)
Box 21
Ar-O, 1922-1959,
undated
(7 folders)
Box 22
Pa-Y, 1921-1959,
undated
(5 folders)
Piano (music for) Subseries
A, undated
A-F, 1923-1928,
undated
Box 23
L-W, 1937-1943,
undated
(6 folders)
Spiritual Arrangements Series
Box 24
G-S,1941,
undated
Symphonies Subseries
A-S, 1928-1946,
undated
(4 folders)
Box 25
S, undated
(2 folders)
Miscellaneous Subseries
A-S, 1947-1975,
undated
(3 folders)
Recordings, 1935-1991, undated
Primarily recordings of Still's music in audio cassettes, compact disc, and phonograph record formats. The recordings have been grouped together according to their respective formats. Recordings are arranged alphabetically within each format. The performing artists have been noted when they could be readily identified.
Audio Tapes
Biography in Sound: Leopold Stowkowski, Stowkowski, Leopold,1954
Calvacade of American Music,
1940
(4 tapes)
Ecosphere, Agus, Ayke et al.,1991
Minette Fontaine,undated(2 tapes)
The Music of William Grant Still (2 tapes)
Oboist Peter Christ,
Christ, Peter with the Crystal Chamber Soloists,1979
Our Musical Past-Vol. 5, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,1935
Natalie Hinderas plays Piano Music,
Hinderas, Natalie,
undated
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, n.d
Symphony No. 4,
The Denver Symphony,
undated
Troubled Island, undated(2 tapes)
William Grant Still, 1895-1978,
The North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra et al., not before1978
William Grant Still Conducts William Grant Still,
San Francisco Symphony Orchestra,
1984
William Grant Still Piano Music, Dominguez, Albert, undated
William Grant Still: Strings, Keyboard and Harp,
Kaufman, Louis et al., undated
William Grant Still: Voices and Piano,
William Grant Still Performing Arts Society,
undated
Compact Discs
Africa: Piano Music of William Grant Still,
Oldham, Denver,
1991
Lenox Avenue: The Music of William Grant Still,
The CBS Symphony Orchestra et al.,1991
Louis Kaufmann, Violin: Historic Recordings of 20th Century American Works,
Kaufman, Louis,
1990
Oboist Peter Christ,
Christ, Peter with the Crystal Chamber soloists,1986
Our Musical Past- Vol. 5, The
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,1935
Walk as Children,
Northern Arizona University Chorale,
1991
Works by William Grant Still, Videmus,1990
Phonograph Records
Art Songs by Black Composers,
1980
(2 LPs)
CBS Records Black Composers Series,
1987
(9 LPs)
William Grant Still 1895-1978,
Ozark Chamber Players of the University Arkansas
William Grant Still Conducts William Grant Still,
San Francisco Symphony Orchestra,
1984
William Grant Still: Piano Music, Albert Dominguez,1987
William Grant Still: Strings, Keyboard and Harp,
Louis Kaufmann et al.,1987
Oversize Cabinet
OC:I:1:
Box 11
Writings,1950
Printed Material,1991, undated
