Scope and Content:

This collection consists of correspondence; newspaper and magazine articles; biographical information; sheet music; concert programs and flyers; promotional posters, brochures, and announcements; music sales information; album covers; and other miscellaneous materials related to the career of African-American classical composer William Grant Still, who was born in Woodville, Wilkinson County, Mississippi.

Much of the collection, including all the correspondence and most of the articles or clippings contemporary to Still’s life, consists of photocopies. There are a few articles written by Still or his wife and longtime collaborator, Verna Arvey, and a small amount of the material related to performances and promotion of Still’s work is from his lifetime. However, most of the material found in the collection was created or collected at a later date by Still’s daughter, Judith Anne Still, as part of her effort to promote her father’s achievements and works, and document his career.

Box List:

Box 1

Folder 1: Correspondence, 1936-2006.
Folders 2-5: Articles and clippings, 1934-2007.
Folders 6-7: Biographical information, 1984-2003; n.d.
Folder 8: Sheet music, n.d.
Folders 9-12: Performance programs,1956-2007.
Folders 13-15: Orchestra season catalogs, 1969-2007.
Folders 16-17: Performance programs,flyers, and posters, 1982-2004; n.d.
Folders 18-23: Promotional materials,1957-2005.
Folders 24-26: Sales and ordering information, 1989-1996; n.d.
Folder 27: Material on In One Lifetime by Verna Arvey, 1984.
Folder 28: William Grant Still Studies at the University of Arkansas: A 1984 Congress Report, 1985.
Folder 29: American Music Research Center Journal, Volume 13,2003.
Folder 30: Book jacket, William Grant Still and the Fusion of Cultures in American Music, 1995.
Folder 31: Miscellaneous, 1995; 1999; n.d.

Box 2

Folders 1-2: Articles and clippings,1970-2004.
Folder 3: Poster and album covers,1987; n.d.
Folder 4: Articles; sheet music;posters and other promotional material, 1942-2002.